 |
Responsibility Revisited There is considerable controversy about the role of special services in the schools, especially the balance between entitlement and discipline. Many feel that these laws have tied the hands of educators, limiting their ability to maintain discipline and order in the classroom. Traditional options of corporal punishment or expulsion have been taken away. Schools are mandated to keep the children, and to adapt to their needs, which are usually interpreted as disabilities. In the case of ADD and other psychiatric diagnoses, this means their "mental illnesses." A profound effect of diagnosis and labeling is that, once done, everyone is absolved of responsibility to keep thinking about what are the real problems, and how to solve them. The tendency is to think that the problem is explained by the diagnosis, that it's a genetic or biological problem, that he can't help it, and it has nothing to do with our system. Johnny has ADD; that's why he's having a hard time. He is entitled to our special services, and we have to cope with him. No one is really responsible, and no one can really be held accountable. The best solution, so this argument goes, is a biological treatment, drugs, to hold the "illness" at bay. That we are resorting to psychiatric drugs to control millions of our children is in no way a solution to declining literacy, high dropout rates, or problems with school discipline. It is as if we are scapegoating the brains of our children as a way to divert attention from the need for courageously handling the challenges of education in today's world. Our responsibility as adults who care for our children's welfare is to keep thinking and searching for the deepest truth and the best solutions. This hearing today is a great expression of your responsibility to the truth and to the care of our children, and I thank you for that. An even more powerful expression would be to take a stand in defense of our children and our schools. As a father, as a psychologist, and as the director of Texans For Safe Education, I implore you to do just that-to take a stand by making a statement on this issue of psychiatric drugs and education in the form of a resolution. This resolution would be a public declaration that our state's most prestigious public educational body has looked into the matter and has a serious concern about the harm caused by the fact that so many children in our schools are on psychiatric drugs. It would also be an influential statement reminding educators that the business of education involves teaching, and that their focus should be on using authentic, proven educational methods to help children learn. The Colorado State Board of Education passed such a resolution in November of last year. The title of their resolution precisely reflects its purpose: "Promoting the use of academic solutions to resolve problems with behavior, attention and learning." To me this appears exactly congruent with your own Board's long-range plan for public education from which I quote: "The State Board of Education envisions a system of public education that is based on these fundamental principles: all students can learn; all educators can develop the knowledge and expertise to implement programs that ensure all students can learn." Clear, straightforward, worthwhile, and true. I know that public declaration of your opinion and recommended direction will make a real and significant difference to educators, parents and children across the state. By doing so, Texas can further establish its reputation as the nation's leader in education policy. On behalf of many concerned parents and adult allies of children, I beg you to do the right thing. I trust that you will. Thanks for listening. |
|
|