Teachers and special needs

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

To the editors:

I am writing in response to your well-written Eye on Special Ed column, "Teacher vacancies a problem for special education students." I am a 74-year-old concerned parent of an adopted 12-year-old son who was diagnosed with ADHD at age five.

Teachers do not understand legal issues concerning IEPs. I know this, due to so many IEPs, due process hearings, and being a member of Parents Involved Network (PIN). It should be mandatory for teachers to attend at least a one-day seminar on special education children and children with disabilities.

Your column should be a call to arms.

Doris Loftin
Philadelphia