Bill Clinton to the rescue. Special ed costs.

The dismal financial news in this column has given precious little to feel good about. Take heart. Bill Clinton reminded this writer about something we should all feel good about.
During his Marietta College speech Bill mentioned the 1970’s and how laws were passed that gave an equal opportunity for students of all abilities to receive an education. Bill said, “It made us better people.” He was correct.
For the first time in history some students who did not fit the standard mold were given a chance to maximize their learning potential. This writer was pressed into his first political activity by Nancy Hollister and Fran Alleman-Luce in stumping to get levies passed that would fund Ewing School and its operating monies.
Young, naïve and inexperienced, I just knew it was the right thing to do. And I sort of felt like a better person for having helped.
For many years Ewing was a magnet for students with special needs. They had a grand facility, wonderful equipment and a staff that was skilled in helping overcome or work with nearly any disability. Families moved to Marietta just because we had such a facility.
As time went on, the philosophy and national legislation evolved. In an early phase called “mainstreaming” students from Ewing were encouraged to move into the regular classroom. Your writer had a ring side seat thanks to his physical education teacher wife, Barb. She brought home tales of these new students and how they were interacting with traditional students.
It seemed there was much learning and change going on from many different perspectives. Kindness, caring, compassion were all part of the new education setting. Kids learned that not everyone was just like they were. It was a valuable lesson.
Through more evolution of philosophy and legislation yet more students were moved from the Ewing setting into classrooms. And more aides and assistants and equipment were needed. The latest word for this change is “inclusion.” The accompanying regulations are called, “least restrictive environment.”
At this point the Ewing facility is nearly empty of school age students except the most medically fragile. The public schools have geared up and staffed up to handle the changing demands of the new students. And families are still attracted to Marietta owing to the fabulous services being offered through Marietta City Schools to these special needs students.
Yes, we are better people for it. And our students gain a perspective and appreciation for others that would have been denied them just a few decades ago. In fact it was denied for the entire history of public education until the 1970s.
Does it cost more to be better people? You bet. Quite a lot, in fact. We’ll examine some of those costs in future articles. And that’s the other bright spot that Mr. Clinton shone the light on in his speech at Marietta College.
He ended his comments on this change in educational practice and laws to give equal opportunity by saying, “And it’s about time the federal government paid its fair share for the cost of special education.” Words that were music to the ears of any board member.
In reflecting on his words one can hardly escape observing that while he failed to address this issue during his turn at bat, perhaps the next person in that office will take a different view and step up to the plate. It is long overdue. The downside, of course, is that with funding come yet more demands. A very mixed blessing. I’m not sure that’s going to make us better people.
This and previous articles available on the blog: http://mariettacityschoolboard.blogspot.com