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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Are we really surprised this teacher won't wear the mik?

You may have heard the disturbing story of a Florida teacher who in 2008 had a kindergarten student with autism "voted" out of class by his peers. According to court documents, the teacher had the student stand in front of the class while his peers stated why they "hated him". The Florida State Department of Education settled the lawsuit this student's mom filed for $350,000. This mom is still fighting, however, determined to have the tenure system in her state dismantled. Can we really blame her? Click here for the newsbrief.

But this teacher wasn't done. After this incident, and after she had been suspended (never without pay) and was then back teaching, she and two other teachers refused to wear the amplification system that had been installed in the elementary school in order to meet 504 requirements for a student. She is now being pursued by the Office of Civil Rights, who administers 504s.

If this makes you mad, please read the Newsweek cover story by Michelle Rhee titled "I'm Not Done Fighting: The Battle For School Reform Begins Now" by clicking here. School reform  -- one retirement at a time.