Preditors and Prey

[grumble]

My daughter works for the school bus contractor in a fairly small rural/suburban town. Like everyone, the company is trying to cut costs and remain solvent, not an easy thing to do with all the rules and regs dealing with school kids. One of the cost saving measures they implemented was to put all "special needs" kids on the same bus. My daughter is the "aide" on that bus. She's received lots of training for kids with mental problems and crippling diseases -- you know, all the things that affect kids on the "short bus."

Since the 30-pax bus has an average load of 8-10 kids (K-6) the school decided to increase efficiency by designating kids with behavior problems as "special needs." These are the kids that yell at or hit the teachers, bring knives to school, and gang up to beat up other kids. And yes, in a 60% Hispanic town, with all the gang influence associated, those 8-15 yo kids can be some tough kids to handle.

DD protested the inclusion of those problem kids, but the decision had been made, and that was that. She's worried that one of her true special needs kids, like the kid in the wheel chair, or the autistic kid that doesn't respond to the world around him, is going to be targeted by the behavior kids. If one of those kids actually does get hurt on the bus, the lawsuits will never end.

Her question to me was, how can she protect herself? Sure, she has insurance, but we all know how useful that can be in this age of litigation.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[Axehandle]

If the bus does not already have a camera installed they better get one in there pronto.
Preferably one with audio.

[Teg]

She could recommend an escort on the bus to assist the driver with keeping the peace.

[backlash]

Your daughter is in a no win situation.
Unfortunately it is only a matter of time until she has problems.
They put all the trouble makers in the same small confined space with no help close.
Stupid decision.
If I were in her shoes I would make sure every parent of every special needs student was aware of what the school district has done.
Let the parents explain it to the school board who will be first in line when something happens.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

DD protested the inclusion of those problem kids, but the decision had been made, and that was that. She's worried that one of her true special needs kids, like the kid in the wheel chair, or the autistic kid that doesn't respond to the world around him, is going to be targeted by the behavior kids. If one of those kids actually does get hurt on the bus, the lawsuits will never end.

Her question to me was, how can she protect herself? Sure, she has insurance, but we all know how useful that can be in this age of litigation.

Thoughts? Ideas?

My DIL is a special ed teacher. They divide the kids into behavioral disorders, physical disorders/learning disorders, and ESL kids. She is currently teaching the ESL kids and loves it. Plus she prefers these kids to any others because the parents are so easy to deal with too. Last year she had the learning disorder kids, and loved that class too.
She will no longer take a behavioral class because she is afraid of them. In fact she hasn't agreed to take a behavioral class for a few years because one time a boy tried to hit her. She's small, and he was bigger than her even though he was just 12.

My point in all that babbling was that they separate classes like that where she works, and it keeps everyone safe. Now, I'm not sure how they are all bussed to the school though. They might have to share buses? I honestly don't know. But if the school separates them, then it must be a necessity for the good of the children.

If the bus refuses to add help for your child or to separate the kids, then she may simply have to find a different job. I understand how scary it can be for her. I know my DIL simply refused to do behavioral classes after that incident. She has a child to consider that needs a mother as she grows up. It's not worth getting hurt over a job.

[Catalpa]

What backlash and momma said. There's no way to keep that situation in hand without additional help. Preferably strong, armed help.

The parents of the special needs kids REALLY need to know about this.

[grumble]

Excellent comments, folks, my sincere thanks.

I think those of you who suggested applying public pressure might have the right idea. Parents of the 'special' kids will have a strong voice and a lot of sympathy to the public. The school system just sees them as additional revenue. They get about five times as much money to the school for them as for the 'ordinary' kids (it kind of embarrasses me to even use terms like this, but I don't know how to be more clear). If some of those parents were to threaten to pull their kids from the school, the bureaucrats would see dollar signs flying out the door. And if the local newspaper got wind of the situation, that could be a lot of pressure on the bureaucrats, I'd like to hear them try to defend a decision like this.

DD really cares about her job and takes it very seriously, much more so than the pay she gets would suggest. If one of "her" kids got hurt, it would tear her up, the financial liabilities notwithstanding.

[docsoos]

Sorry to hear of your daughter's troubles, grumble.....sadly, it's getting more and more prevalent these days, just about everywhere.

After 40+ years of "enlightened educators and administrators" social experiments (due to the fact that THEY PERSONALLY never have to deal with the consequences of these decisions), we have bred generations of "predators" in the school system, especially when they know there will be NO consequences for their actions, or will be coddled by the liberal educators, and given "victim" status, even though they perpetrate these crimes.

It will continue, until somebody knocks them on their duff, and follows through CONSISTENTLY and FAIRLY, and SHOWS THEM that there are DEFINITE CONSEQUENCES for their actions.....I don't see that happening anytime soon, so she might consider teaching kindergarten or early elementary school......hopefully, the "gang-banger" mentality doesn't start THAT early.

Best of luck to your daughter.

DocSoos

[BonnyLake]

The safety of your daughter is no small thing and I'm sure that you are all concerned for her, but there's something else that is really troubling to me about the situation you described and the bigger picture that is emerging -

Educators are lumping young children into emotional categories and harshly basing their decisions on those factors instead of the other needs that they should be focusing on instead. By insisting that the kids who have backgrounds of behavior problems ride the same buses as the kids who have special physical needs, they are insinuating that all of these otherwise normal kids, should be kept separate and apart from the main stream student-body.

Did they even take into consideration that the 'behavior' kids will be bullied and teased by the other kids because they have to ride the 'little buses' now? Which will in fact make those kids prey too!

Whatever happened to kids riding the buses based on locations within the communities? Is it cheaper to have one small bus drive from one place and then clear across town to another just to keep these kids segregated until they get to the schools? I understand that some children with handicaps need lifts on the buses and some types of special equipment, but since when did it become the job of the public schools to mandate this discrimination based on special needs by labeling children at all?
.

[grumble]

Bonnie, that was stiletto right to the heart. Excellent post.

To be honest, I never even thought of it from the POV of the behavior kids. You are 100% right. One of my sons was designated as an exceptional student and put into an advanced curriculum. That was "Special Ed." He couldn't stand the treatment his friends gave him for being in the advanced program, and dropped out of it in just a couple weeks. For those youngsters who probably have trouble at school because of their family life, being forced into special classes and to ride the "short bus" will just mean they can never be normal, either at home or at school.

The kids on the 'special' bus often need someone to watch them for medical problems as well as help with getting strapped in and keeping them safe. They may be disabled, but they are still kids, and keeping them under control can be like herding cats.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Having spent my fair share of time behind the wheel of the yellow submarine, I can tell you for a fact that bean counting bureaucrats and administrators that haven't a clue, have no problem dumping problems on transportation that they wouldn't even dare suggest to teachers inside the classroom. Been there; hauled that.
Liability being what it is, I think voicing concerns in writing and documenting it with the director of transportation might help if a problem and lawsuit ever happened. Not a perfect answer but more of a CYA. School problems sometimes make national news and ruin careers. Fame of that type is not as fun as dancing with the stars by any stretch.OzarksJohn

[grumble]

John, That was my "off the top of the head" thought, too. Not a fix or help, but a CYA letter. Maybe a petition from the parents? Probably won't change anything, but will show an attempt to prevent something serious.

[Teg]

hopefully, the "gang-banger" mentality doesn't start

DocSoos

I believe that it is more a problem of poor parenting where the adults in the equation want to be best buddies with their kids instead of actual parents, leading to the little turds thinking they can do anything they want and walk over everyone, just like they do their parents.

It would seem that we are witnessing the rise of a generation of ethical egoist's who think they can decide what is right and wrong based on their needs/wants, well either that or a generation of freaking Sociopaths. :wink:

Just my opinion of course.

[Terri]

Sometimes special ed kids do not have much impulse control. My own kiddo would raise a fist to whoever poked him and so every time the teacher turned her head someone would poke him in the back. The teacher would turn around again just in time to see my son with a raised fist. I know this because when he got into trouble every day I observed for a bit.

You know, just because a child is on the autistic spectrum does not mean that he deserves to be poked and bullied, and at the time DS could NOT! explain to the teacher what was happening!

Pairing easy victims with known bullies: what a concept!!!!!!

[Mom5farmboys]

Grumble,

I work in an elementary school also. I was originally in Special Ed and now work in a Young 5's classroom as a Para-Professional (fancy name for classroom aide :) )

While I understand your daughters apprehension (and rightly so) the fact remains she will most likely tough it out and do the job because she loves what she does.

My advice would be for her to carry a notebook and pen and document EVERYTHING, dates, times, names, events/situations, and certian individual behaviors. Then if (God forbid) anything should happen, or if there are any ongoing/recurring undesirable behaviors she will have the documentation to back up any reports she makes to the powers that be.

Good luck.

[grumble]

M5FB: "... the fact remains she will most likely tough it out and do the job because she loves what she does."

You got that right! She gets upset about some of the things that go on with her job, but she isn't about to quit and go work at Wal-Mart. Instead, she puts up with the nonsense and frustrations of the job. But like any good GI, she lets the world know how much she likes her job by complaining. <G> ( The old saying is, "A soldier isn't happy unless he's complaining.")

She does keep a log, so your advice is well-taken.

[bookwormom]

I would never make it in today's school system. No common sense is allowed. I feel for your daughter. If I were the Busdriver I would support her. I would play calming music, nothing that all the kids listen to now, and every time a kid acted up I would stop the bus and sit there. If you want to get home you have to behave. that would get things calmed down pretty soon. But everybody and their parents would be up in arms.. Crazy world. We all were kids once and we know that things have gone way off the deep end. But putting those two on one bus is lunacy. What are they thinking?

[Axehandle]

Apparently bullying is not restricted to just students:
Horrific video shows autistic boy, 11, screaming for mercy as he is kicked, choked and hit by driver and helper on school bus


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2046722/Timothy-Kilpatrick-Horrific-video-shows-11-year-old-autistic-boy-kicked-choked-hit.html#ixzz1aCc5jvX7

[bookwormom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcNA8U__QR4&feature=relmfu

I just came across this guy, I think someone on BWH or maybe homesteading today, posted a link with him and you know how it goes, you follow it from there to the moon. Anyway, he has a practical approach that a lot of people can relate to. Check out the video.

He claims that 95% of what he learned he learned outside of school, on his own, because he was interested. And this day and age, school is like prison. (Except you go home at night and ride the bus and make life hell for nice aids).