#5

Mara Leamon
1. This chapter about diversity and double standards really caught my attention. The amount
of double standards in the educational world is unacceptable. I like how in Marcos story
the administration and special education director gave special education presentations to
the local school board to educate them more on disorders and allow them to cut back on
the double standards. I am also very bothered when people treat children with disabilities
different from other children, in a negative or a positive way. I have a cousin with severe
autism and when he came over for thanksgiving dinner, it seemed that everyone in my
family was walking on eggshells. They talked and acted differently and almost tried to
ignore him which caused me great frustration. He was very drawn to me and my family
often said I had such patience with him. It is not about patience, it is simply treating them
the way you would want to be treated. Just like it says in the book, many people think
that they are helping children with disabilities by treating them differently and not
disciplining them as harshly but that kind of treatment is actually hindering them in the
long run.
2. In my teaching, I will do everything in my power to eliminate the double standard in my
classroom and in my work. I like how Erics teacher in the last story states that is it our
jobs as educators to help individuals with a variety of challenges to achieve a quality
future. This statement does not always relate to special education students but any
student that needs additional help to achieve that quality future: what comes first with
any and all students are successful learning outcomes and futures.
3. What kind of programs do they have/if they have them for schools to educate the public

and school board about disabilities and special education?