Comments for LDExperience http://www.ldexperience.ca Helping people affected by learning disabilities share their experiences. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:41:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=9341 Comment on Kathryn Burke by How to Understand the Border Collie You’ve Hired to do the Job (US labor Day, Part III) « THE ODD BIRD http://www.ldexperience.ca/contact-us/kathryn-burke/comment-page-1#comment-2489 How to Understand the Border Collie You’ve Hired to do the Job (US labor Day, Part III) « THE ODD BIRD Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:41:13 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?page_id=117#comment-2489 [...] difficult to say, and I identify with a lot written here. I’m thrilled that Ms. Hendzel and Kathryn Burke of LDExperience have both agreed to allow me to re-post it on THE ODD BIRD in its entirety. Thank [...] [...] difficult to say, and I identify with a lot written here. I’m thrilled that Ms. Hendzel and Kathryn Burke of LDExperience have both agreed to allow me to re-post it on THE ODD BIRD in its entirety. Thank [...]

]]> Comment on Myth-Busters! Blasting Apart the Dyslexia Myth by Michele Pentyliuk by Luqman Michel http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/945/comment-page-1#comment-2467 Luqman Michel Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:11:25 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=945#comment-2467 You wrote: Most researchers now agree that dyslexic readers have difficulty with phonological processing, or the awareness of and ability to manipulate the sound structure of spoken words. I do not agree with the above statement. I teach dyslexic children 3 languages. They have no problem reading in 2 languages fluently just like any other kid. However, they find reading in English a big problem. This , I find is because English is an orthographically inconsistent language. I have 6 research reports by various researchers supporting my finding. Please read my blog and write to me if you disagree with what I have written. Kind regards, Luqman Michel http://www.parentingdyslexia.com You wrote: Most researchers now agree that dyslexic readers have difficulty with phonological processing, or the awareness of and ability to manipulate the sound structure of spoken words.

I do not agree with the above statement. I teach dyslexic children 3 languages. They have no problem reading in 2 languages fluently just like any other kid. However, they find reading in English a big problem. This , I find is because English is an orthographically inconsistent language.

I have 6 research reports by various researchers supporting my finding.
Please read my blog and write to me if you disagree with what I have written.
Kind regards,
Luqman Michel
http://www.parentingdyslexia.com

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Bev Sawyer http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1285 Bev Sawyer Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:04:15 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1285 Agreed - the way things have been done in the past isn't necessarily the way the should be done in the future. The new board will have an opportunity to make some immediate decisions about how they will work and what will be their priorities. Special education should be one of them. I hope the public interest at this stage will continue post-election; it's part of the trustees' job to promote such engagement. <strong>Note from LDExperience.</strong> For the benefit of readers outside the province of Alberta, municipal elections, including elections for Public Trustees, are set for Oct 18. These elections will result in new school boards. Agreed – the way things have been done in the past isn’t necessarily the way the should be done in the future. The new board will have an opportunity to make some immediate decisions about how they will work and what will be their priorities. Special education should be one of them. I hope the public interest at this stage will continue post-election; it’s part of the trustees’ job to promote such engagement.

Note from LDExperience. For the benefit of readers outside the province of Alberta, municipal elections, including elections for Public Trustees, are set for Oct 18. These elections will result in new school boards.

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Dale Hudjik http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1270 Dale Hudjik Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:10:22 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1270 Kathryn, you said it concisely and very well: “School trustees work for the public! Trustees do not work for the school district; the school district works for the trustees!” School boards, as with any board, exist to exercise their authority, control and direction over an organization on behalf of the membership. For public school boards, the membership consists of the Trustee’s constituents. School boards are very important to the future of our children. Consequently it is essential to hold trustees to high standards. One generally accepted indicator of public trust is a board’s record of responsible analysis of options, thoughtful discussion and written policies. You gave some great ideas on how to review the track record of trustees and find out what trustee candidates think. May we all take the time to learn how trustees will represent us. May we make informed decisions on selecting the leadership of our public school districts! Kathryn, you said it concisely and very well: “School trustees work for the public! Trustees do not work for the school district; the school district works for the trustees!” School boards, as with any board, exist to exercise their authority, control and direction over an organization on behalf of the membership. For public school boards, the membership consists of the Trustee’s constituents.

School boards are very important to the future of our children. Consequently it is essential to hold trustees to high standards. One generally accepted indicator of public trust is a board’s record of responsible analysis of options, thoughtful discussion and written policies. You gave some great ideas on how to review the track record of trustees and find out what trustee candidates think.

May we all take the time to learn how trustees will represent us. May we make informed decisions on selecting the leadership of our public school districts!

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Kathryn Burke http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1257 Kathryn Burke Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:42:44 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1257 Esme, I agree with you about running as Trustees! We need to make educational governance via Boards of Trustees meaningful. This means getting the highest quality candidates for the job. It takes effort. One example of effort that I think is working very well is in my home community. It is called ARTES - standing for the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools. http://www.responsivetrustee.com/ ARTES was created by some thought leaders in our community who passionately believed that trusteeship was important, and that it was critical to get as many highly qualified candidates as possible running in the next election (this fall). ARTES has sponsored a few events (including the special ed forum that I wrote about in another post). It has an active email list, blog, etc. I think the efforts are paying off. I have not, in my days paying attention to such things, ever seen such a build up to trustee elections. As a person who passionately believes in the democratic process, this makes me very happy and optimistic. Esme, I agree with you about running as Trustees! We need to make educational governance via Boards of Trustees meaningful. This means getting the highest quality candidates for the job. It takes effort.

One example of effort that I think is working very well is in my home community. It is called ARTES – standing for the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools. http://www.responsivetrustee.com/ ARTES was created by some thought leaders in our community who passionately believed that trusteeship was important, and that it was critical to get as many highly qualified candidates as possible running in the next election (this fall). ARTES has sponsored a few events (including the special ed forum that I wrote about in another post). It has an active email list, blog, etc. I think the efforts are paying off. I have not, in my days paying attention to such things, ever seen such a build up to trustee elections. As a person who passionately believes in the democratic process, this makes me very happy and optimistic.

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Kathryn Burke http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1256 Kathryn Burke Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:35:39 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1256 Catherine, I agree with your comments that policy directions do not come out of thin air. It is important that actions of any district be attuned and responsive to the willed direction for that district. Ideally, that "willed direction" is set out by the elected officials as a reflection, in a public system, of what the public wants. One point I do want to raise however is that Trustees cannot be seen nor act as puppets of administration. I am not speaking about any one district specifically, but the concerns I have heard expressed that many boards are just that - puppets to place a rubber stamp on administrative decisions. When that happens, the board of trustees become effectively an ornament. I believe that the situation you describe about collaboration and actions in accordance with agreed upon policy is the ideal and the way it should be....I do not believe that this is the universal standard for all boards. However, I would love to be proven wrong! Catherine, I agree with your comments that policy directions do not come out of thin air. It is important that actions of any district be attuned and responsive to the willed direction for that district. Ideally, that “willed direction” is set out by the elected officials as a reflection, in a public system, of what the public wants. One point I do want to raise however is that Trustees cannot be seen nor act as puppets of administration. I am not speaking about any one district specifically, but the concerns I have heard expressed that many boards are just that – puppets to place a rubber stamp on administrative decisions. When that happens, the board of trustees become effectively an ornament. I believe that the situation you describe about collaboration and actions in accordance with agreed upon policy is the ideal and the way it should be….I do not believe that this is the universal standard for all boards. However, I would love to be proven wrong!

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Lori Fankhanel http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1249 Lori Fankhanel Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:48:41 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1249 Hi Kathryn Great post, it is important for families of children with special needs to get to know their candidates and what they will do for matters that are important to our families. I like what Catherine Ripley has posted in reply, and my question to that would be, that how or what do we need to do to ensure that the Superintendent is lobbying for the true needs of the children and not lobbying for what works best for the system and meeting some requirements for special needs? In our district, ATL [assistive technology for learning] is not something that is strongly implemented to date for our children with only two ATL consultants in our district is a strong indication that perhaps the trustees are not fully aware of the true needs. It is why a group of parents of children with exceptional learning needs continue to advocate for a special needs task force. It will help administrate that the Superintendent communicates the true needs to the trustees so they can lobby for their constituents. Hi Kathryn
Great post, it is important for families of children with special needs to get to know their candidates and what they will do for matters that are important to our families. I like what Catherine Ripley has posted in reply, and my question to that would be, that how or what do we need to do to ensure that the Superintendent is lobbying for the true needs of the children and not lobbying for what works best for the system and meeting some requirements for special needs? In our district, ATL [assistive technology for learning] is not something that is strongly implemented to date for our children with only two ATL consultants in our district is a strong indication that perhaps the trustees are not fully aware of the true needs. It is why a group of parents of children with exceptional learning needs continue to advocate for a special needs task force. It will help administrate that the Superintendent communicates the true needs to the trustees so they can lobby for their constituents.

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Esme Comfort http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1245 Esme Comfort Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:07:22 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1245 Thank you for explaining what School Boards do and encouraging people to inform themselves and get out to vote. I'd go further and urge people to run. The system need good people: committed, informed, passionate folks who are prepared to work collaboratively with their colleagues, administration, parents and community for the good of the children. Thank you for explaining what School Boards do and encouraging people to inform themselves and get out to vote. I’d go further and urge people to run. The system need good people: committed, informed, passionate folks who are prepared to work collaboratively with their colleagues, administration, parents and community for the good of the children.

]]> Comment on School Boards and Special Education: Making the Connection by Kathryn Burke by Catherine Ripley http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/963/comment-page-1#comment-1228 Catherine Ripley Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:20:12 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=963#comment-1228 Kathyrn, I appreciate your encouragement to parents to get involved and find out about their trustee candidates. Yes, trustees work for the public and their constituents and also, for the good of public education, and yes, they direct the administration through policies etc. Thus when a recommendation comes from the Superintendent, it is usually arising out of the administration's research and response to a direction the Board has already set. It does not usually come out of thin air. Ideally boards must work collaboratively WITH the experts in the administration as well as with their public to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Together we are stronger! It is not a question of my way or your way....OUR way ultimately (or hopefully) will use the best of all the ideas that come forward when a decision is being made. Catherine Kathyrn, I appreciate your encouragement to parents to get involved and find out about their trustee candidates. Yes, trustees work for the public and their constituents and also, for the good of public education, and yes, they direct the administration through policies etc. Thus when a recommendation comes from the Superintendent, it is usually arising out of the administration’s research and response to a direction the Board has already set. It does not usually come out of thin air. Ideally boards must work collaboratively WITH the experts in the administration as well as with their public to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Together we are stronger! It is not a question of my way or your way….OUR way ultimately (or hopefully) will use the best of all the ideas that come forward when a decision is being made. Catherine

]]> Comment on The Deadly Implications of Not Keeping up with Research by Kathryn Burke by Kathryn Burke http://www.ldexperience.ca/archives/951/comment-page-1#comment-1181 Kathryn Burke Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:29:14 +0000 http://www.ldexperience.ca/?p=951#comment-1181 Thanks for your comment. I would agree that the brain certainly is complex, particularly after having attended the conference! I found it fascinating to learn about the new imaging techniques that show differences in where the brain processes info in the dyslexic and non-dyslexic. There was even discussion about white matter pathways. The images are not designed to be used as diagnostic tools, but as exploration/research into the neurological nature of LD. I will be writing a column on what I heard. Thanks for your comment. I would agree that the brain certainly is complex, particularly after having attended the conference! I found it fascinating to learn about the new imaging techniques that show differences in where the brain processes info in the dyslexic and non-dyslexic. There was even discussion about white matter pathways. The images are not designed to be used as diagnostic tools, but as exploration/research into the neurological nature of LD. I will be writing a column on what I heard.

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