From the K-12 draft report that was pulled to be redrafted:

“Schools have become one stop fits all institutions that go far beyond academic pursuit. This also greatly increases spending. Perhaps the overall concept of what a school should provide needs to be defined. Consideration must be given to the degree to which providing non-academic services impacts learning, particularly with regard to Special Education. The goal is to help each student, including Special Education students, attain their highest level of proficiency. Mainstreaming has some benefit, but the good of the individual must outweigh any benefit realized by this practice, and the impact on other students in mainstreamed classrooms must also be taken into account. Perhaps other agencies would be better suited for these tasks associated with helping each special needs child pursue and attain their personal best.”

We find this statement quite troubling. First, we note that one reason schools are bearing more of a burden for meeting children’s needs is that other social service programs helping underprivileged children have been pulled back in recent years. Will schools not be held responsible for lower achievement levels if their students’ basic needs are not being met? Who will meet these additional needs? As for special education, does this statement indicate a desire to “outsource” special education services? What other agencies do they suggest should meet the special education needs of students?

You can read the whole report here: http://www.kasb.org/assets/Advocacy/K12Committee/01-05-16Att1InterimComRptRHighland.pdf