EBD Blog

Tracy Dell’Angela of the Chicago Tribune described the likely closing of Las Casas, a special occupational program that serves adolescent students with emotional or behavioral problems.

Students land in Las Casas after years in hospitals and private institutions. A handful are autistic. Some have suffered traumatic brain injuries; others are schizophrenic or manic-depressive. They act out in extreme ways–exploding at small slights or fleeing because of perceived threats. More than 80 percent are taking psychiatric medication, school officials say.

Dell’Angela reports some parents’ concerns about losing something that has, after many years of struggle, provided their children success. She contrasts this view with concerns expressed by educators about normalization. In addition, of course, there is the matter of costs. Dell’Angela reports all of these.

According to Dell’Angela’s report, a decision about how to serve these students is slated to be made soon and without parental input. I hope someone remembers that there are almost certainly a lot of IEPs in play here. Denying students services that are stipulated in those IEPs may be actionable.

However it comes out, here’s what I’d like to know: Will the decision about future services for these students be based on any objective data, on opinion, or a combination of them? What would be the objective bases on which such things can be decided?

Link to Dell’Angela’s story.