Talking Points #9

Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome By: Christopher Kliewer

This reading was very interesting, and about equality in the schools. Teaching students with down syndrome, teachers seem to seperate children, so it hinders one education because of the segregation. If students with down syndrome usually get seperated out, and its not good for them, because they may see themselves as stupid, and different from a actual human being. All people should be valued as a person, and treated equally in the community. They should be able to communicate and have acceptance with one anothers differences. The arguement is kind of unclear, but i believe he's trying to say everyone has individual needs, and one should respect them as people, and help them with relationships that would help and educate them, in everyday life.
1.)"Shayne recognized a child's nonconformity as natural human diversiry; a source of strenght that could be supported by the school community in order that it adds a unique and valuable dimension to that community."
I believe that children with down syndrome, should not be catorgorized, because they're all human beings too. They are just naturally diverse, and they should be supported by the community and valued for being different. It is important for kids with down syndrome to develope relationships with people, not only in schools, but in the community as well.
2.)"No child was inherently an intellectual burden to a classroom, in fact, she argued each student contributed a unique and potentially valuable dimension to the web of relationships that formed a school community."
I feel this quote was a good one and it really expressed the argument. Students should be able to learn when they go to school, reguardless of any disabilities they may have. No children should be considered a burden, because they arent the same as the other students in the classroom. The teacher should recognized each child as an individual, that has different individual needs in order of a proper education.
3.)" The metaphor of 'spread' illustrates the image of defect blanketing the unique humaness of students charged with the differences that matter. What is hidden under a cloak of incompetence is the individuality and personality of the human being. Teachers who valued their children as citizens recognized each student's individuality."
Teachers need to look past students with disabilities and notice that they're all citizens. They are to have the same education as anyone else.
I liked this reading, i read pretty much the whole thing. I found it very repetitive, but i do believe that they shouldnt be segregated based on their disabilities. I dont know where this falls, but my mom is a teacher, and she has a student in her school, where he would always disbehave, use profanity toward the teachers and other peers. There came to a point where he would hit others and hurt them and has to be restrained. In a situation like this, i dont believe he should be placed into a classroom with regualr students, because he would be a problem to the others in trying to get their education. if he would be hurting others by throwing fits, where he hits and kicks his peers and the teacher, i dont believe he should be in a classroom like that, because he isnt learning properly and neither are the other children. Its been a continuous problem, and his mother always protects him and never trys to see the schools p.o.v, even when hes yelling and swearing, and hitting. Its not the right behavior one should be acting in a school environment. If it would be interferring with others, i believe in a situation like this, they should be put in inclusive classrooms, to better provide their educational needs and the educational needs of the other students. Im not sure if he had down syndrome specifically, but it was a problem that needed to be addressed in my moms school.