Exhausted and Ready to put up the White Flag......doors closing, options fading, and time is running out

As I have shared in my other posts, this is an amazing parent. Look how she is reaching out to me and supporting my efforts in fighting against the very position she and her daughter are currently experiencing. As educators we have a responsibility to value, encourage, support and protect our students' rights to the best education we can offer. The ACE Study provides us the roadmap, the knowledge, and the interventions that are most effective when applied to working with students that have ACE's in their lives. The research tells us that students with ACE's may often struggle with abstract concepts....to no fault of their own. When we assess students with a "one size fits all" model, it fails every time. The state math exam is the only barrier that separates her from her high school diploma. She is one of 3,700 students all facing the same challenge. It is letters like this that keep the fire burning in my soul. Ideology should never be the tool that defines a person's self worth. Please keep this family in your prayers, they do not deserve to endure such toxic stress and anxiety... Good Morning, How are your stress levels doing? Hope some of that sunny weather in Phoenix gave you a heavy dose of vitamin D to lift your spirits and give you the strength to carry on. As for me, I have been ready to wave the white flag, fighting an enemy that really should not be: aren't parents and educators trying to do the best for our children? I contacted the assessment office in Olympia weeks ago, and finally got a call back the other day. Truthfully, I had called so many people I forgot about that one. Anyway, she advised me to contact our local district coordinator XXXXX. Which I did, and have yet to hear back from her. If and when she calls me I will plead my case for her to submit a ' exceptional appeal form' to OSPI due to district error, options were not provided. Based on what she tells me, I will then submit my story and request for media attention to the 'cause' of 3700 young people who have once again suffered from the very people that are supposed to help them succeed in life. What a paradox!! I know time is growing short and I think 'they' do too. If I don't hear back by tomorrow, I will send off my letters. I will keep you posted. Until then, thank you once again for taking the time to help us. You're a remarkable person...... such compassion for our children is rare indeed! Remember to take good care of yourself too:)