Since orientation, I've been reflecting on several aspects of partnership. Seeing the fabulous work that is being done at all of our sites across the program, I'm reminded how closely our partnership work is linked with the values of our agency as well as my own personal values. Providing ethical and high quality special education services is closely tied to issues of social justice. For too long, individuals and groups of people have systematically been denied equal access to various aspects of society, including education.
Below, I have posted a few links (with intro blurbs below the link) to articles which demonstrate the value of perseverance, when addressing issues of equity in education. Yes, the work you do is challenging. Yes, you may experience barriers and roadblocks. BUT YES – the work you do matters! You touch the lives of students and their families every day in seen and unseen ways. What moves you to persevere in dismantling structural barriers to equity?
Civil Rights Fight, Dorene Philpot
So, even though the fight to enforce these rights is discouraging, disheartening and definitely not the path of least resistance, this is the path to effecting change in our society and winning the war, just as the civil rights activists did to get slavery abolished, women the right to vote, and disabled children the right to attend school.
Don’t give up – your efforts are important. In fact, without a continued, concerted fight, change cannot and will not occur.
Take heart in the knowledge that the fights you fight now, even though you do not win, get us one day closer to the time when our society will say, “Really? You mean you had to fight for that? Seems like a no-brainer to me.”
Civil Rights in Education, A2Z Educational Advocates
The right to equal educational opportunity and access has come a long way since 1954 for the groups of persons who have historically been denied that access. Unfortunately, on a daily basis I am reminded how far we still have to go as a society to reach the point where exclusion, discrimination, and the denial of meaningful educational benefit, be it on the basis of race, disability, or poverty, no longer exists in our schools. Only when we eliminate discrimination in schools and ensure truly equal access to a meaningful education will society as a whole move towards greater inclusion of all persons..
Encouraging Active Parent Participation in IEP Meetings, Diane Marie Dabkowski
The cultural context through which both parents and professionals form their personal value systems contributes to their ability to make joint decisions. An understanding of the team process, including the role of participants’ cultural background, can influence the effectiveness of IEP teams (see box, “What Does the Literature Say About Parent Participation.”)
So, even though the fight to enforce these rights is discouraging, disheartening and definitely not the path of least resistance, this is the path to effecting change in our society and winning the war, just as the civil rights activists did to get slavery abolished, women the right to vote, and disabled children the right to attend school.
Don’t give up – your efforts are important. In fact, without a continued, concerted fight, change cannot and will not occur.
Take heart in the knowledge that the fights you fight now, even though you do not win, get us one day closer to the time when our society will say, “Really? You mean you had to fight for that? Seems like a no-brainer to me.”
Civil Rights in Education, A2Z Educational Advocates
The right to equal educational opportunity and access has come a long way since 1954 for the groups of persons who have historically been denied that access. Unfortunately, on a daily basis I am reminded how far we still have to go as a society to reach the point where exclusion, discrimination, and the denial of meaningful educational benefit, be it on the basis of race, disability, or poverty, no longer exists in our schools. Only when we eliminate discrimination in schools and ensure truly equal access to a meaningful education will society as a whole move towards greater inclusion of all persons..
Encouraging Active Parent Participation in IEP Meetings, Diane Marie Dabkowski
The cultural context through which both parents and professionals form their personal value systems contributes to their ability to make joint decisions. An understanding of the team process, including the role of participants’ cultural background, can influence the effectiveness of IEP teams (see box, “What Does the Literature Say About Parent Participation.”)
Blog post written by:
Celina Zins, Director of School Partnerships
Celina Zins, Director of School Partnerships
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