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Show editorial Special Programs in Salt Lake District Found Lacking The Salt Lake Board of Education in its recent newsletter "Schools" lists special programs available to students in the Salt Lake City District. One of these entitled "Emotionally Disturbed (LAC)" is designed "to provide special placement where it is these youngsters. In one particular instance, a young boy was diagnosed in the 6th grade as extremely bright, but with severe emotional problems causing him to misbehave and not needed and supportative through the balance of the 6th grade. When he entered Junior High, attempts were made by the measures for children with emotional problems who cannot function adequately in a normal classroom setting." Another service offered by the District is a social work program "to provide support arid therapy to assist each child with educational and personal problems." This would lead one to believe if a child is having behavioral or emotional problems which result in educational difficulties, the School District stands ready to assist. An erroneous assumption if one views the drop-ou- t rate, the number of students expelled from school and the parental requests of help which are ignored by the schools. achieve scholastically. Counseling was continued on a weekly basis parents to continue the were "home" for the young man for a period of time. Upon return to his own home, it was again a problem to find a suitable school for him. A "free school" was approached with a junior high program with classes meeting for an hour and a half each day. For five weeks his attendance has been perfect and his participation and interest extremely good, according to the teachers. The visits our school once a week and she has too big a caseload now. apparent reasons for this glimmer of "success" are the teachers involved and their attitudes toward the students. Attendance is not compulsory, the students develop their own curriculum and You'll have to wait." Wait they the classes are brief and did while their son went stimulating. On nice days, classes may be held at Liberty Park or classwork may be suspended for a game of softball. Dress codes, counseling which was needed. The school ignored repeated requests for help with excuses such as "Our social worker only progressively downhill. When his actions took him to Juvenile Court some counseling was made available through the Community Mental Health program. Upon his return to school, his parents were unable to obtain assistance or counseling from the school.Truancyentered strict behavior enforcement of rules and "middle-clas- s standards" are not incorporated into the program. Parents may gasp at the "loose", casual atmosphere and the young "unprofessional" appearing teachers but for many youngsters school is once again "fun." This program while recently sanctioned by the Board of Education, was not initiated by them but rather by a group of VISTA volunteers. With recent requests by the School administration to trim the School Board's budget, it would seem probable that some of the "special programs" discussed earlier will be eliminated. But in view of their service to students and families, they will not likely Al Church directs program at Jefferson Free School. be missed. Many Students need informal, unstructured Classroom settings in which to learn. Alternatives to the public school system provide educational opportunities for young and old. these services were readily available, the need for alternative If types of schools would be limited. True, there would always be a few youngsters unable to adjust and function in our present public school system but the increasing numbers of young people seeking this kind of school situation should alert us to the problems in the school system. Students are kicked out of school for truancy and as one the picture and he was dismissed. State law says, however, any youngster under 16 years of age must be in school, so the parents explored alternative educational programs and decided on Salt Lake High School (the school agreed to take him even though he was not yet high school age). This school was established through the Salt Lake City School District as an accredited high school "that focuses on Juvenile Court Judge puts it, school dropouts or potential "They don't want to attend dropouts." The first time he was absent without an excuse, he was expelled. No attempt was made to offer guidence or counseling to determine the cause for his school, so they are rewarded by being told, they CAN'T attend school." Students with emotional problems resulting in misbehavior are expelled while the Board of Education says it has special programs and personnel to help actions. Shelter homes, the Detention Center and a boy's ranch '4 jf. s ' " jv |
