LTISD Info

The LTISD finally did excel at something: Overrepresentation of Minority and Special Education Students in Discretionary Discipline Referrals.

You can read all about it in “Texas’ School-to-Prison Pipeline Dropout to Incarceration The Impact of School Discipline and Zero Tolerance ” written by Texas Appleseed, a non-profit, public interest law organization.

Hey Rocky, you should read this report.

It lists some other districts in Texas who have excelled in their “overrepresentation” and could be considered as candidates for your exclusive club of “cohort” or “lighthouse” districts.

Considering the large number of school districts in Texas, the LTISD is right up there as “over represented.” Will this cause the Board to give Rocky another pay raise?

I wonder if Rocky and the Board are aware that:

“Federal law limits the school’s discretion regarding children receiving special education services by requiring that the children with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment possible.”

(Hogg Foundation for Mental Health)

“When disciplining a special education student, school districts must follow procedures outlined by the federal government under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act 2004.”

(Lucy Wood, The Special Education Due Process Hearing – Discipline and Behavioral Issues Under the New IDEA, in State Bar of Texas, CLE Materials for Special Education Issues and the Juvenile Justice System (June 2006)

Just how does the LTISD define “discretionary discipline?”

Who knows?

We do already know that they apply discretionary adherence to written policies and procedures.

Here are a few highlights from Texas’ School-to-Prison Pipeline Dropout to Incarceration The Impact of School Discipline and Zero Tolerance as is pertains to the LTISD:

Overrepresentation of Hispanic Students in

In School Suspension (ISS), 2005-06

(Referred at Rates 10% or More Than Their Representation in Student Population)

Source: Texas’ School-to-Prison Pipeline Dropout to Incarceration The Impact of School Discipline and Zero Tolerance, page 47

Overrepresentation of Special Education Students in

Out of School Suspension (OSS),2005-06

(Referred at More than Triple Their Representation in Student Population)

Source: Texas’ School-to-Prison Pipeline Dropout to Incarceration The Impact of School Discipline and Zero Tolerance, pages 52-53.

Overrepresentation of Special Education Students in

In School Suspension (ISS), 2005-06

(Referred at More Than Double Their Representation in Student Population)

Source: Texas’ School-to-Prison Pipeline Dropout to Incarceration The Impact of School Discipline and Zero Tolerance, pages 54-55

This report asks some interesting questions. Questions that Rocky and the Board should answer:

• Why are LTISD Hispanic Students referred to discretionary discipline at higher rates?
• Why are LTISD Special Education Students referred to discretionary discipline at higher rates?
• Who is responsible for the overrepresentation of minority and special education students in discretionary discipline at the LTISD?
• What training have LTISD teachers and administrators undergone regarding disabilities and how they specifically affect each child in special education?
• If LTSID teachers and administrators were trained, would the LTISD no longer excel in their overrepresentation of special education students to discretionary discipline referrals?
• Was this the result of “Loosey Goosey’s” management of the Special Education department?