Professional Documents
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Portfolio Artifact #5
Sasha Waters
EDU 210
Portfolio Artifact #5 2
Jonathan is a severely disabled tenth grade student. His parents approach a seasoned
principal for a high school in the area. The principal, Debbie Young, served as a special
education teacher and as an assistant principal in an affluent, progressive school district in the
South. When the parents approached the principal, they explained all of his needs, to include:
needing constant care by a specially trained nurse, he is mentally disabled, has spastic
quadriplegia and has a seizure disorder. Principal Young refuses the request of having the
student attend her school because the high needs and expenses and that the school is not the most
I feel like Principal Young is wrong for denying the student a chance at the high school.
All students are entitled to an equal education and saying that her particular school is not
appropriate is a way out for not having to care for his needs. Principal Young should give
Jonathan a chance and base her decision off of his success and progress at the school, not off of
prejudgment. Jonathans parents need to go to higher authority and explain to them that she is
not even giving their son a chance at a fair education. (Pennsylvania Association of Retarded
Jonathan, along with his parents, are not being given their right to allow him to attend the
high school. Principal Youngs decision is not defensible because there are laws against the
discrimination of the disabled. Young is breaking the law and she needs to be reported to give
justice for Jonathan and other students who might come along and want to attend this high
school. Principal Young needs to be sure how she addresses the situation and watch closely as to
Portfolio Artifact #5 3
what she says so that she doesnt add to what could potentially be a suit. (Mills vs Washington
DC Board of Education.)
Being that Jonathan has so many needs, he needs to attend a school that can better assist
his disabilities. Im sure that his parents would be upset to get a call saying that something
happened and the staff werent qualified enough to assist him. His parents need to see that
Principal Young is doing them a favor by being straight forward with them and denying him the
education the school provides. The school may not even be able to keep up with his needs along
with trying to educate Jonathan if they are not yet experienced in the field. It could get
overwhelming. They should want the best for their student, not just a fair education but one
appropriate for his learning needs. He may need more that the school cannot provide. (Board of
Education vs Rowley).
Though it is unfair that Principal Young said no to the request of Jonathan attending her
high school, it is smart that she did. Jonathans parents need to realize that and take him
somewhere that can benefit Jonathan in every aspect. The school can only do so much and if
they want more done for their child, the school doesnt have to provide it. The school only needs
to offer what is critically needed for the student, not what is wanted by the parents. Are his
parents aware of that? Are they sure they want to make that decision to send him to a regular
I am grateful that Principal Young had the courage to turn the parents and student away.
It was in the best interest of the student not merely based off the thoughts of the principal. I
would have appreciated that Young was able to tell our family no on behalf of the school not
having the qualifications. Based off of court cases, some listed above, the schools are only
required to provide education for the students without denying them, but they are not required to
provide all services that disabled students might need. If my child could not get the full attention
that he/she needs, why would I even consider enrolling them? I wouldnt, Id take them where
they could get the best education and I wouldnt think twice about it nor be mad that a school
References
Underwood, Julie and Webb, L. Dean. (2006). Students Rights. School Law for Teachers:
Underwood, Julie and Webb, L. Dean. (2006). Students Rights. School Law for Teachers:
Pearson.
Underwood, Julie and Webb, L. Dean. (2006). Students Rights. School Law for Teachers:
Underwood, Julie and Webb, L. Dean. (2006). Students Rights. School Law for Teachers: