From Mary Mayo
Dodgeville
I want to respond to remarks made by newly-elected 51st Assembly Rep. Howard Marklein as reported in Spring Green's newspaper, The Home News, dated Dec. 29, 2010.
During the interview, Marklein was quoted as saying, "To have somebody wheeled in on a gurney into the gymnasium to participate in volleyball for Phy. Ed., because Phy. Ed. is a requirement for graduation, I don't know if that is fair to that student or fair to the taxpayers, for that matter."
We should all be alarmed by this analogy. I can only think that the reason Marklein chose to portray special education in this light is to perpetuate the misconception of special education and also the job schools are doing to educate children with special needs. As someone who was appointed to the education committee, I strongly suggest that he visit schools and become familiar with the challenge of providing appropriate educational opportunities to all children. As far as special education, gone are the Central Colonies, notions of keeping disabled children home and isolated from their peers, and dismissing disabled children as not being able to benefit from educational experiences.
As someone who has worked in the area of special education in southwestern Wisconsin for more than 23 years and been assigned to work in 20 school districts throughout my career, I can assure you that Marklein's depiction of special education is grossly misrepresented. Schools, including administrators, teachers and parents work very hard to provide an individualized, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment to those identified as requiring special education in order to benefit from their education.
When all children reach their potential for self-sufficiency and productivity we all win.
Dodgeville
I want to respond to remarks made by newly-elected 51st Assembly Rep. Howard Marklein as reported in Spring Green's newspaper, The Home News, dated Dec. 29, 2010.
During the interview, Marklein was quoted as saying, "To have somebody wheeled in on a gurney into the gymnasium to participate in volleyball for Phy. Ed., because Phy. Ed. is a requirement for graduation, I don't know if that is fair to that student or fair to the taxpayers, for that matter."
We should all be alarmed by this analogy. I can only think that the reason Marklein chose to portray special education in this light is to perpetuate the misconception of special education and also the job schools are doing to educate children with special needs. As someone who was appointed to the education committee, I strongly suggest that he visit schools and become familiar with the challenge of providing appropriate educational opportunities to all children. As far as special education, gone are the Central Colonies, notions of keeping disabled children home and isolated from their peers, and dismissing disabled children as not being able to benefit from educational experiences.
As someone who has worked in the area of special education in southwestern Wisconsin for more than 23 years and been assigned to work in 20 school districts throughout my career, I can assure you that Marklein's depiction of special education is grossly misrepresented. Schools, including administrators, teachers and parents work very hard to provide an individualized, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment to those identified as requiring special education in order to benefit from their education.
When all children reach their potential for self-sufficiency and productivity we all win.
