False: Students who can’t keep up with the pace or difficulty of the general education curriculum should not be included.
I was going to put a bunch of facts in here, but nothing is really speaking to me like my own experience with Ruby. Sometimes I get all wrapped up in the testing and the numbers because we work with her so much, it’s almost like my own grade. And while she is TOTALLY rockin’ the first grade, there is a definite difference in some of her work and the level of help she needs. We work closely with her teachers to help give her realistic goals and work, all the while being exposed to ALL the curriculum.
Will the gap continue to grow? Yes.
Will we continue to work closely with her teachers to help give her the support she needs? Yes.
Does she DESERVE to continue being in the Gen Ed classroom even as she falls behind academically? ABSOLUTELY.
Cuz it’s not JUST about the academics, y’all. It’s about so, so much more.
I mean – think of all the deep conversations you had at your locker before science class about “Jake’s Butt”, that embarrassing thing your mom said in front of Jake, getting in trouble for rolling your eyes at your mom for embarrassing you in front of Jake…It’s about LIFE!
(and sometimes maybe Jake’s cute butt.)