blog : Opting Out of NCLB Testing
03/20/2011
On a spring day 5 years ago, my now third grade son, Colin, just finished his yearly checkup with his developmental pediatrician. Both the doctor and Colin returned to the waiting area and I observed that they were both a bit rumpled because, they were playing cars on the floor. As Colin announced that he was hungry, my husband volunteered to go to the cafeteria for some macaroni and cheese while I talked to the doctor.
The doctor was pleased with Colin’s gains and he reminded me that we needed to secure the most and best resources since the clock was ticking. “The more we can do early on”, he explained, “the better the future.” I listened to his advice and I assumed that our discussion about Colin was over when he said,
“So how are you Mom? How are you managing as you and Jim navigate these waters for Colin.”
I struggled to explain to him how frustrated and angry I was with the educators, specialists and experts who were more concerned about sharing their opinions than in supporting Colin. I told the doctor: “I am tired of fighting with people who should know better. And I don’t want to fight anymore.”
The doctor responded, “Katie, you fight for your son because you’re a warrior and you need to find the other warriors.”
I have never forgotten those words.
I knew what he meant. After all, I am an educator and I have always been willing to take on a good fight—especially on behalf of an underdog. I’ve been working in and with underserved schools for over 20 years so I get it.
But this was a bit different. It was MY son.
For the next 3 years Colin went to schools where we were told that he isn’t like the other kids and they said he needs extra help. They were unwilling to give options and were very willing to give up on Colin. On school mornings, my husband and I would have to convince Colin that it would be a great day. Colin would whine, “I told you, I am not going to school today.” When I picked him up after school, I knew that he felt like the odd man out. He tolerated school and it wasn’t a place that inspired him. I was constantly let down by teachers and our church community.
About a year ago, I flipped through the neighborhood paper and stumbled over an ad about a new school in the West Loop dedicated to inclusive education. The ad looked too good to be true. Immediately, I started my research on Hope Institute. Of course I started with a Google search. From there, I talked to every special educator that I knew in the State of Illinois. I soon learned that Hope Institute was a kingdom of warriors—-and tenacious ones at that.
Today, Colin is in the second grade at Hope Institute Learning Academy. Colin doesn’t complain about school anymore and oftentimes asks to do his homework. When I volunteered to chaperone a class trip to Lincoln Park Zoo in January last year (yes January) I felt warmth the entire day. The children, all of the children, really took care of each other. When one child needed some help with tying their shoes, a classmate was there to help. When one classmate boarded the bus, about five of his classmates asked the teachers if his wheelchair was on board. At lunch there was laughter and excitement about all that they had seen that day. The children took care of each other and this is what an inclusive classroom is all about.
Everyone is included and loved for their individual gifts in this democratic community.
Colin finally found other warriors in his teachers and classmates and the entire HOPE professional community who unconditionally believe in him.
I hope for the day that this is no longer the exception. All children have the right and deserve to be loved and included in our schools and democratic society.
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