THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505130084
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
With regard to ``Who pays for `extras' for gifted students? Parents - and taxpayers, too'' (letters to the editor, Beacon, May 7), the issue is not one of gifted or disabled but of special education. Special education encompasses both. Each category has needs that are worthy of special encouragement. The system needs to accommodate both. To promote the gifted at the expense of either disabled or regular students is to promote a superior race. To promote the learning disabled at the expense of the gifted raises questions about the efficient use of resources.
The real question is what we're trying to accomplish in our system of public education. Are we trying to give all children the ability to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to lead happy and productive lives? I believe this is the mission of public education.
In the case of gifted education, the question can be raised as to whether we are challenging them to their full potential. Are we providing them with the environment in which they can actualize their already considerable skills?
With disabled children, the issue is different. They lack basic fundamental skills in some cases, not easily taught. Survival is the issue. Without the basic tools, their life, happiness and productivity in society are substantially compromised.
There is no question that both categories of students have special needs that we should try to accommodate. But in the public education system, if we are forced to choose between the two programs as to which has the more significant objective, the teaching of survival skills for those who might otherwise perish is paramount.
Larry T. Burroughs
Kings Cross
As the parent of a child with severe disabilities, I was most concerned with the attitude Ms. Klein portrayed. Every child in the public school system has the right to an appropriate and fulfilling education which allows them to reach their goals and success in life.
By no means do I believe the parents of most gifted children feel the need to pit parent against parent as these few have done. Our public school system is only as good as our parents, students, teachers and administrators make it. We must look beyond numbers and work con-struc-tive-ly toward assuring that all our children receive the education each one deserves.
As for Mr. Geniesse, we can only hope he brings out the true humanity in others, if not himself.
Karen Richardson
Virginia Beach
The Special Education Advisory Committee for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools represents the educational needs of students with disabilities and the committee is committed to quality education for all students. We acknowledge that there are children with special learning needs that may require more resources to help them reach their fullest potential.
Society is best served when we respect each other's abilities and learning styles. The committee, as parents and educators, strives to work with everyone concerned about education. Virginia Beach has an excellent reputation for serving students, and many families make their decision to move to Virginia Beach because of the excellent school system.
Balancing the needs of all students is a continuing struggle. Working together and not allowing ourselves to become divided are in the best interest of all students. Quality education should be given to each and every child in order for them to contribute as much as they can to our community.
Many of society's leaders have been regarded as gifted. But many regarded as gifted have been disabled. Learning differences are a part of the rainbow of talent that has its own special beauty. There is no more important right than the right of each individual to reach his or her own potential and to be accepted by others. We must concentrate on abilities and not disabilities, and provide all our children with whatever education they require, special or otherwise. Working together, we and our children can achieve even more.
Helen S. Burroughs
Chairperson, Special Education
Advisory Committee
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
I feel I should respond as a mother of a child who has special needs.
What John Geniesse does not realize is that all children, whether they are gifted or require extensive special help, deserve the best education possible. To pit the gifted child against the special-needs child does a disservice to the children in the Virginia Beach school system. I have several friends who have a gifted child as well as a disabled child; they realize that each child has special needs and want each child to receive the best education. They understand the needs of both.
We as parents, teachers and administrators need to work together to establish an understanding of what will benefit each and every child instead of pitting each child against the other.
Jane M. Hatton
Salem Woods
I am a parent of a child with disabilities. She is entitled to a free and appropriate education to meet her needs just as all children are. As this was denied to many children with severe disabilities in the early 1970s, federal legislation was passed to ensure that all children with disabilities receive an appropriate public education.
No matter what the abilities, all children need to receive an education so they can become productive members of our society. We as parents of children in the Virginia Beach public schools should work together to see that all of our children receive the best education possible.
Mary Viau
Virginia Beach by CNB