PARENT POWER

Teachers and staff in inner city schools often use the “Racist” word when dealing with
the anger and frustrations caused by the unfair and unequal distribution of monies and services in the LAUSD.

The problem, however, is more likely the school community not understanding the power of the parent. This community, unlike those more wise in the ways of getting what they want, underestimates the force they can bring and the might of a strong united voice.

A Special Day class (formerly known as Special Ed) in a South Los Angeles school now has eighteen students, one teacher and one aide. The class is composed of four grade levels which include six kindergarteners removed from their original classes for various inabilities, immaturities and disruptiveness. In addition there are first grade, second grade, and third grade children, including a child who is unable to recognize a single letter or one who is so disturbed that she jumps on the tables, tears the papers off the walls, and races out the door. She cannot or will not be stable long enough to learn to read.

All these children have been evaluated and come with an IEP program calculated to meet their individual needs. Yes, eighteen different programs, one teacher, one aide.
In many west side schools, children who exhibit even the mildest special needs, have a “one on one”, aide . Special day classes often have as few as six,or eight children and two aides in addition to the “one on ones”.

The answer is the sophistication of canny and/or educated parents to procure what they believe is necessary for the best interestsof their children.

Parents and schools on the losing end of the situation therefore must be taught how to lobby for their children’s rights. Not an easy task for the overworked, often single parent whose life experience, or illegal status causes fear and distrust of the system.