Is it so wrong to want the best for your kids?

Warning: This post is the opposite of an Attitude of Gratitude.

In the first place God made idiots. This was for practice. Then he made school boards." Mark Twain

How is it that we live in a country where a straight forward, fundamental, required element such as education can be so f****d up?!

Where two programs considered part of Ontario's Special Education Program (Enrichment and French Immersion) cannot be managed so that kids don't have to choose one over the other. We are stuck so that E cannot follow an IEP (individual education plan) unless we put her in an English school; and if we did that she would have the choice of two programs. That is right, not one but TWO.

So in the process of trying to figure out some stuff for E's schooling I had perhaps THE most frustrating 18 minute phone conversation of my life with the school principal. It went something like this (picking up the conversation 10 minutes into it) ...

Me: Well that doesn't make sense that we cannot take part in the one-day-a week program because she is in French Immersion. Isn't it all part of the same school board? 

Principal: It doesn't matter if it makes sense that is the way it is. You can voice your opinion but it won't make a difference. (Yes, she actually said that to me.)

Me: So by identifying that E qualifies for an IEP (individual education plan) if she stays where she is means nothing to her education at your school.

Principal: Correct. Nothing changes.

Me: So let me get this straight; you won't work with me, or other parents in this situation to find a solution so that our kids get the equal support as the kids on the other end of the spectrum.

Principal: It would be wrong for me to do that [advocate for that support].

18 minutes that seemed to go on for 3 hours. Truly bizarre. That is all I can say about this situation.

How is it that the kids that need more of a challenge than the regular curriculum generally offers (or teachers make time to provide) have to take a back seat to the kids who are struggling to keep up (and how she doesn't work with the parents to evaluate what really is in the best interest of those kids as well). How a school principal can take such little interest in ensuring all kids get what they need in the interest of towing the school board line and because it is easier is beyond me.

I can see why others (not me) take up the option of home schooling or private schools.