Three years after Alexandria schools were warned their special education programs didn’t meet federal standards, parents are still angry that the schools are now providing only the minimal levels of service required. A Virginia Department of Education review in 2008 found that the school system was failing to meet federally required standards for special education in six areas, from poor discipline procedures to a lack of career training opportunities.
Yvonne Folkerts, chairwoman of the Alexandria School Board, said the program now fulfills all federal standards, but just barely. School officials and parents alike say the program must stop settling for less, but Alexandria continues to lag behind on some basic services, she said.
“Being in compliance doesn’t mean you’re serving your students well,” Folkerts said.
Three years after the original audit, school administrators invited members of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents for a second review of the city’s special education programs. The superintendents inspected the school over the course of two days last week and held a public forum where parents and teachers voiced their concerns.SClBThe second audit, which should be provided to the school board in June, will give officials a look at how successful their efforts so far have been, Folkerts said.
The superintendents association first visited Alexandria in 2009, and of myriad issues raised by the original audit, the problem that remains a frequent concern of parents is a lack of accountability of school officials for the success, or failure, of special education programs.
Former Alexandria PTA President Jeffrey Zack, who has two children with special education needs in Alexandria schools, said parents still feel like administrators are holding them at arm’s length as they try to get help for the kids.
“Every time we need a change, it’s a fight,” said another parent, Christine Ogden. “It shouldn’t be a fight. It should be a partnership.”
Despite the ongoing problems, it’s at least a positive sign that officials invited the superintendents back for another inspection, according to Vickie Cattaneo, co-chairwoman of Alexandria’s Special Education Advisory Committee. A few years ago, she said, school officials weren’t nearly as tuned in to special education issues as the new administration, led by Superintendent Morton Sherman.
“Finally we have the upper echelons of the schools system, including the board and superintendent, focused on this,” Cattaneo said.
