How do I expose an abusive teacher who has violated my disabled son's civil,ethical, and rights?

Question

My son's teacher has virtually made it impossible to recieve an appropraite education through verbal humiliation and demeaning remarks made in front of class mates and other adults. On several occasions the teacher has screamed at my son, screamed at my family and has even slammed a social studies book down on his thumb. At the beginning of the school year my husband and I tried to let the school know that our son who has ADHD would shut down if a nurturing relationship was not created between the teacher and our son. He learns best in an atmosphere that is understanding and patient with his symptoms of his disabilities. His teacher has violated my sons privacy to the tune of the secretary of the school has made comments about my son. When the teacher hit my son with the book I called the police and the teacher has harbored resentfullness towards my family that she reflects on my son. She continues to punish my son for "not being on task", part of his ADHD. Any help to be had?

Answer 1

You can go to your state's department of education website. If you go to the section for special education, you will find guidelines for writing a complaint to the state. Upon receipt of the complaint which should include any supporting documents, such as the police investigation, the state will provide a copy to the school district. The district will then have to call a meeting to try to informally resolve the issue. Depending on how seriously they take your case, they may or may not be very moved by this action to change your son's placement. If not, the investigation moves forward. The next step will be to ask you and the district if you will agree to mediation. In your case, I would suggest attempting mediation. You have nothing to lose by doing so. However, both parties must agree to mediation for that to go forward. If you are able to resolve all of the issues in mediation, the investigation stops there. If you are able to resolve some of the issues in mediation, you can still go forward with others. If you don't resolve anything, the investigation moves forward. At that point, an unbiased investigator will take over, reviewing your complaint, the district's response, any documents, and do interviews of you, your child if old enough, district staff members, and anyone else you provide for them to contact, ie, other parents who saw and heard this and don't mind talking to the investigator. Once that is finished, the investigator will write a report with his or her findings and how the issues are to be resolved. This entire process can not take longer than 45 business days. (I believe it is business days. If it's calendar days, please correct me whoever reads this and is familiar with the IDEA 2007.)

In the complaint you will let them know what remedies you want to have happen as a result of your complaint. If you want him moved to another classroom, state that. If you want him moved to another school within the same district, state that. If you want him to be transported to another district's school because the relationship with your home school district has deteriorated too much to work with them, state that.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I think you should let the superintendent of the city school know about this or better yet bring that teacher to court.  She has no right to hurt any student physically, emotionally or mentally.

Answer 3

i know what you are going thru. you need an iep meeting to set up any changes. if you are able to get your child's doctor involved they can help with iep's also see about an educational to help get the iep changed so they can get a new teacher. otherwise you might have to change schools for your son's protection. hang in there.

Answer 4

Your solution is called:  LAWYER period. Your side of the story seems to indicate the whole school is corrupt because judging by your statement they harbor his attitude which is offensive to say the least. However, a good lawyer can sit down and examine exactly what has happened and determine if there is a legal provision to proceed on seeking a suit of dismissal towards the teacher. Cyber space is not the place to attempt and find a solution. Good luck and you may have to look through several lawyer listings to find one that is a "specialist" in this area of law or who may refer you to someone who is.

Answer 5

I would contact the principal, or even the school board or superintendent of the school district. The teacher should be monitored for what she is doing to your son.

Answer 6

Each state has variations to the education laws. Does your child have an IEP or 504? If so read your procedural safeguards notice. It tells you step by step how to proceed with a due process complaint. It includes contacting the special ed. director of your school. But chances are that since things have gotten this far, they already know about this teacher and haven't taken steps to remedy the situation. Here in Pa, they also have a form you fill out called "educator misconduct form." It gets mailed directly to the state. Since the school and the teacher are at fault and FAPE isn't being met, I'd get a lawyer. Attached is a site for legal assistance.

Answer 7

As soon as the police were brought in, you should have immediately requested having your son reassigned to another class if there was one available.  Since the enviroment was already hostile, to send him back in after reporting the teacher (and rightly so) to law enforcement and expect things to improve because of it was short sighted.  Request an immediate change based on that fact.  The next thing to do is go over his IEP  and document any known violations.  Do not add in your personal feelings about this teacher..keep everything to actual fact (missed speech therapy, verbally punished child in front of other students, openly discussed classroom happenings concerning my child with other school personel not connected to his treatment plan, etc,)  After that is done, you can file a complaint with the school board and possibly with the teacher's union as well.  You may also want to contact the ACLU to see if they feel there is enough there to consider filing suit against the school.

You may also want to have an emergency meeting to reveiw his IEP to be sure that his behavioral plan is clear and spells out what sorts of discipline are to be used when.  If you are not on an IEP or 504, you need to begin the process of getting one as this is the only way to require teachers and schools to adapt classrooms, teaching methods and guidelines for students with specail needs.  Unfortunately, there is no way to know if a student will form the bond you described with a teacher until he is placed in the class..one student's favorite teacher is another's nightmare.  This can be even tougher in smaller schools or districts where they may have limited numbers of personel qualifed to teach inclusion classes (working with children on IEP's who do not need to be in special ed classes).  You have to be your childs advocate...fight for the changes and then decide how far you want to take the issue of "exsposing" the teacher.

Answer 8

You need to write a letter to the director of special services stating all that you've told us, in a measured non-emotional voice. Ask for an emergency IEP meeting to address change of placement within a certain amount of time, with him present, and advise them that you'll be bringing an advocate.

If you can't find an advocate, fInd a friend who can dress nicely, talk little and can parrot "Can you show me where that is in your school regulations?"