Support Jeffrey's Right To A Quality Education

9:52 am PST, Nov 19, Marilyn Carter, Texas

9:39 am PST, Nov 19, Maureen Reilly-Price, South Carolina
If we do not stand up and support EVERY young Deaf child who cries out to be SEEN and understood then we are allowing these school districts to deny equal access to all students. It is not so much a "fight" as an "educational opportunity" for ALL school districts to see how many support this effort

7:29 am PST, Nov 19, S Wright, Texas

6:45 pm PST, Nov 18, Carolyn Heaston, Texas
What if this was your child?

5:42 pm PST, Nov 18, Anthoney Smith, Texas
Jeffrey is just a kid i don't think that his education should be impacted by his inability to hear. i think flour bluff is just trying to save another penny by trying to kick him out.

3:13 pm PST, Nov 18, Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin

2:17 pm PST, Nov 18, Cindy Corning, Arizona

10:40 pm PST, Nov 16, Britni Stephenson, Texas

2:28 pm PST, Nov 16, Marilyn Childers, Texas

7:31 pm PST, Nov 15, Peter Smelko, Texas
Every American has the right to a quality education. To not provide him an interpreter is denying his right and his will and his desire to learn.

2:26 pm PST, Nov 14, Amy Shaw, Arizona
DON'T DISCRIMINATE against this student, just because he is a little different. He is still a human being and should be allowed to go to the same quality education as everyone else. I have a disability and hate when people discriminated against me just because I seemed different. Don't Judge a person just be the outside.

11:12 am PST, Nov 14, Clark Erfurt, Illinois
Hello there! My name is Clark and I'm deaf. I have gone through similar experiences back in 1997 as have Jeffery and Katie. Corpus Christi Independent School District denied me admittance to my home school, Richard King High School. The district did not want to go though the hassle of getting an interpreter for me, budget concerns, and other reasons which were ridiculous. Instead, they insisted I attend Ray High School with the rest of the deaf students. Keep in mind - I had only 'regular' classes with the same standards as all the other traditional students. I received no special favors, no accommodations etc.. My family and I fought it to the state board in Austin and I ended up graduating from King - just as my brothers and sisters had done. I was able to attend college preparatory classes. The students in deaf classes at Ray graduated with a reading level of 3-4th grade. There is another school that holds classes for the deaf... I've never personally attended these classes, but I've seen what it is like there. The quality of education was below standard. CCISD didn't want to set a precedent with me - heaven forbid if other parents would also demand that their deaf child be given the SAME opportunities as the other students. The school system believes deaf children are unable to learn at the same level as their hearing peers so the deaf are segregated. With this segregation comes lower expectations. Deaf kids don't learn much because they're not expected to learn! My mom tells me she had to fight every year since I was three years old against those within the educational system who still deep down believe that the deaf are also retarded, can’t learn to speak, and can only be expected to live on welfare or hold menial jobs. Being deaf does not mean 'incapable' of doing anything. Personally, I feel that being deaf only gives me more reason to take up the challenge in education and in life. Think about that for Jeffery. I have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer software engineering from Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi. I am very thankful to my family, especially my mother, who never gave up on me.

12:33 am PST, Nov 14, Mindy Wright, Texas
I have worked in many Corpus Christi area schools, including Flour Bluff ISD, and I have seen aides in more areas than I could have ever imagined. Jeffery deserves that same right - no matter what the handicap or disability - no matter what level of need. Every individual deserves an education. Every human being wants to be able to be independent. We waste money on so many things - there should not be a price on education!

7:08 pm PST, Nov 13, Shelby Emrich, Colorado

5:22 pm PST, Nov 13, Lynn Sullivan, Texas
Keep up the fight - nothing made me prouder than seeing my deaf son graduate from A & M in computer science. He proved that with early education and high expectations, deaf people can achieve as much or (in his case) more than most.

2:39 pm PST, Nov 13, Ben Oakley, Texas

9:00 am PST, Nov 13, Name not displayed, Texas
I am shocked that the FBISD is not willing to provide interpreters for Jeffery. I am the parent of a teenage daughter who has chosen to learn ASL at Flour Bluff High School--not because she is hearing impaired but because she wants to be able to communicate better in her future profession of nursing. My daughter has met so many people through her involvement with the ASL Club. We all know that every child deserves a quality education, no matter what handicap or impairment they have.

10:21 pm PST, Nov 12, Name not displayed, New York

12:58 pm PST, Nov 12, Beverly Tappan, New Hampshire
I thought it was illegal under special education rules and regs to deny equal education opportunity to the handicapped.

10:55 am PST, Nov 12, Margaret Wagner, Texas
This young man deserves the right to a quality education in his own community. It is what every parent expects and should get.

9:40 am PST, Nov 12, Mae McBride, Texas

6:23 am PST, Nov 12, Melissa Orr, Texas

8:25 pm PST, Nov 11, Chrystal Sebring, Texas

8:00 pm PST, Nov 11, Victoria Wagner, Texas

7:02 pm PST, Nov 11, Katina Ann Yoakum, Texas

7:00 pm PST, Nov 11, Matthew Dylan Yoakum, Texas

6:39 pm PST, Nov 11, JANET SHEARER, Texas
Just a reminder: IDEA specifies that a child is entitled to a FAPE in the LRE. Refusal to provide the assisstance Jeffery requires is a violation of IDEA. Perhaps the TEA (Texas Education Agency) needs to be notified.

6:27 pm PST, Nov 11, WILLIAM SHEARER, Texas

2:38 pm PST, Nov 11, Rita Kirkup, Texas
Denying a child a disability an opportunity to be mainstreamed into public school is a right afforded to him as a citizen of the United States. Do what's right, not what's easy.

1:27 pm PST, Nov 11, Alexa Camell, Minnesota
This is really sad that some places would deny deaf people because of their disabilities. Just a month ago Costco won't hire my good friend just because he's deaf. They called him and said he's not hired because he's deaf. This is 2009, not 1960's man! Discrimination is the most terrible thing to do because some of us can't help with our disabilities! Shame on this school I will not recommend any of my family or relatives to attend this snuck-up school! What a disgrace!

12:03 pm PST, Nov 11, Linda Simmons, New Mexico

11:42 am PST, Nov 11, Samantha Jacobs, Texas
For more impact, add a personal comment here for Flour Bluff ISD to read.

10:50 am PST, Nov 11, Stephanie Rehkopf, Texas
My older brother is hearing impaired. I can't imagine life for him without being able to receive both quality education and an ability to interact with hearing kids in a public school. Don't discriminate against this child.

10:04 am PST, Nov 11, Stephanie Johnson, Texas

9:50 am PST, Nov 11, Loretta McEnulty, Louisiana

9:17 am PST, Nov 11, Keri Simmons, Texas
Don't let this precious child miss out on an good education!

8:19 am PST, Nov 11, Inez Thetford, Texas

7:55 am PST, Nov 11, David Adams, Texas
Dear fbisd. Do the right thing here....

5:49 am PST, Nov 11, Lauren Gage, Texas

8:26 pm PST, Nov 10, Britnee Denison, Texas

8:18 pm PST, Nov 10, Bert Ortegon, Texas

5:33 pm PST, Nov 10, Randi Turner, Texas
I was in a philosophy class when I graduated as an older college student in 2005... one thing that stuck with me was a discussion on "the right thing" to do... and how to make that decision as to what is 'the right thing"... because everyone’s "right thing" may be different depending on the person. The instructor discussed philosophies of some of the old philosophers of ancient times and shared this guidance and I use it today when I have decisions to make.. especially tough decisions... Questions to ask yourself when trying to decide, what is the "right thing" to do... 1) What if it (the action) happened to you? 2) What if everybody did it (reacted this way or dealt with something this way)? 3) What if your actions established the standard, would that be an acceptable way for respond or to proceed? In Jeffrey’s case, what if it were your child that needed this service to stay in his/her neighborhood school? What if every child that needed an accommodation were sent away to another school? Is this the standard you want to set? Let Jeffrey stay in Flower Bluff and provide the interpreter services needed... it remains the right thing to do... just like it was the right thing to do for Katie M. Randi Turner

4:45 pm PST, Nov 10, Michelle McMullen, Ohio

3:53 pm PST, Nov 10, B.J. De Pena, Texas

11:47 am PST, Nov 10, Lois Elderkin, Texas
Shame on you FBISD...you didn't learn the first time...it is a law that you must provide services for any disability...get over yourselves, and let this young man have his education...that is what you are there for...start teaching and quit playing politics. Again, shame, shame, shame. Do the right thing.

11:45 am PST, Nov 10, Name not displayed, Texas

10:30 am PST, Nov 10, Sandy Maldonado, Texas
What a shame that this precious child would be denied a quality education that everyone is legally entitled to just because of a hearing impairment! I find it disturbing to know that discrimination like this still happens in 2009! My company employees someone that is deaf and he is one of our best employees and brings much personality and life to our facility. It wouldn't be the same without him! Just because Jeffrey can't hear doesn't mean that he can't feel! He is a person! Think of the hurt you are causing him and his family. God has made everyone equal, unique and special in their own way. From the other names on the petition, Flour Bluff sounds like a great school that provides their students with a quality education, so what a shock that you wouldn't have found a way to get an interpreter to the school to help him. God has a unique plan for Jeffrey, don't hold him back!

10:20 am PST, Nov 10, Derek Lemon, Texas
Just another reason to dislike FBISD... WE SUPPORT YOU JEFFREY!! Much love from 200 miles away in Austin, TX!!

9:19 am PST, Nov 10, Name not displayed, Texas
I hope everything works out for you Jeffrey! :)

9:11 am PST, Nov 10, Chaunda Vickery, Texas

8:12 am PST, Nov 10, Janet Parish, Texas
Please reconsider your decision to deny this child an appropriate education in his home school. That would be an atrocity. Also it is illegal. Give all children access to an education in the "least restrictive environment" in their home school!

8:12 am PST, Nov 10, Adaeze Agada, Texas

7:49 am PST, Nov 10, Elizabeth Parish Bruffey, Kentucky
To the FBISD: It is deplorable that you would willingly make the choice to deny the right of ANY child to a FAPE!!! Legally, you are bound to provide all the means necessary to provide this child with a FAPE in his UNIQUE LRE! According to an article published by Hands & Voices in 2006, "in 1992, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) published the "Deaf Students Education Services Policy Guidance" in response to a 1988 report by the Commission on Education of the Deaf. This Commission report expressed concerns over the provision of FAPE for students who were deaf who had "significant obstacles to overcome in order to have access to FAPE, particularly with regard to communication access." The Policy Guidance intended to give direction to state and local education agencies on FAPE for students who were deaf or hard of hearing. It called for the consideration of certain factors in the development of an IEP for any student who was deaf, including: Communication needs and the child's and family's preferred mode of communication; Linguistic needs; Severity of hearing loss and potential for using residual hearing; Academic level; and Social, emotional, and cultural needs, including opportunities for peer interactions and communication. The Deaf Students Policy Guidance additionally recommended that the child's needs be identified by professionals who were knowledgeable about the specific factors presented by the "nature and severity" of his or her deafness relative to the content and method of delivery of the curriculum. This reference pointed to the necessity of having educators who had expertise in deafness directly involved in the educational planning for students who were deaf or hard of hearing-a responsibility that was and is often left to professionals with no background in deafness or hearing loss. A main thrust of the Deaf Students Policy Guidance was that meeting the unique communication and related needs of a deaf student was fundamental to that individual's free and appropriate public education. It stated that: "Any setting, including a regular classroom, that prevents a child who is deaf from receiving an appropriate education that meets his or her needs, including communication needs, is not the LRE for that child. Placement decisions must be based on the child's IEP. Thus the consideration of LRE as a part of the placement decision must always be in the context of LRE in which appropriate services can be provided. Any setting which does not meet the communication and related needs of a child who is deaf, and therefore, does not allow for the provision of FAPE, cannot be considered the LRE for that child. The provision of FAPE is paramount, and the individual placement determination about LRE is to be considered within the context of FAPE." Also, this same article explains that, "When IDEA was re-authorized in 1997, it included, for the first time, specific language that acknowledged the need for special considerations when the student was deaf or hard of hearing. The law said (and continues to say, current with the 2004 IDEA Reauthorization): Sec. 614 (3) Development of IEP; (B) Consideration of Special Factors. The IEP team shall. (iv) Consider the communication needs of the child, and in the case of the child who is deaf or hard of hearing, consider the child's language and communication needs, opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child's language and communication mode, academic level, and full range of needs, including opportunities for direct instruction in the child's language and communication mode". FBISD would be negligent and fail to meet its responsibility as an LEA if it does not allow Jeffrey Petty COMPLETE linguistic equality and access to the education provided through its school district by providing him quality, state or nationally CERTIFIED sign language interpreters. With substandard language provision (even "interpreters" who are not certified and language use is deficient) will mean the school district is not complying with its legal obligation to this student. Furthermore, there is a moral responsibility of LEA's to put the child's interest first and do WHATEVER is necessary to ensure that EACH child is given what he needs to develop as a complete human being. Denying language is denying communication, which is a basic human need - to understand and be understand. I submit that denying the legally required provision of language access through skilled, certified sign language interpreters is ABUSE - emotional and psychological. This is INEXCUSABLE. Do what is RIGHT, what is legally REQUIRED, and what is the RESPECTABLE thing to do for this young man - provide the RIGHT sign language interpreters (CERTIFIED) and do so expeditiously! Committed to the rights of all children, ~ Elizabeth P. Bruffey ~ M.A. Deaf Studies - Gallaudet University, Class of 2005 NAD/RID NIC-Advanced Interpreting Certification EIPA 5.0 Interpreting Certification Texas DARS/BEI Level III Interpreting Certification ""The interests of the deaf child and his parents may best be served by accepting that he is a deaf person, with an elaborate cultural and linguistic heritage that can enrich his parent's life as it will his own." - Harlan Lane, The Mask of Benevolence Summer 2009: http://kysigningsummer.blogspot.com personal: http://joshuaandelizabeth.blogspot.com church: http://www.firstbaptistbgdeaf.com

7:16 am PST, Nov 10, Alissa Kaun, Texas
If this is not a private school then this the district has no leg to stand on in regards to denying an education to this boy. If this is his neighborhood school, his parents pay school taxes and he is wiling to apply himself to his studies just like every other kid should, then he has every legal right to attend this school.