Latest news with #ExceptionalStudentEducation
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Special needs expert ‘heartbroken' after substitute teacher allegedly punches autistic student
A substitute teacher in Seminole County is now out of the job. Jeffrey Jung, 27, was fired after allegedly throwing punches at a student. To make matters worse, that student has autism and is nonverbal. 'My son has autism, so it is disappointing to hear news like this,' a father said outside Sanford High on Friday. Parents in the area said no student should be exposed to aggression, but especially those with special needs. According to the police report, the incident happened inside the classroom. Witnesses say Jung confronted the teen for allegedly causing a nosebleed on another student. 'Schools should be better prepared, better trained,' the father said. According to police, the victim was lying on a mat in the classroom, then Jung allegedly leaned down and punched him in the ribs and arm. The incident report, issued by a school resource officer, confirms the teen has autism and is nonverbal. 'Autism is a spectrum and anyone on it is an individual. However, about 40% of those individuals are considered intellectually disabled and about another 25% are borderline intellectually disabled,' said Margaret Thornton, when she learned about the incident. She is the chief operations officer at Opportunity Community Ability Inc., an organization that provides training for individuals with special needs in the community. 'I immediately feel heartbroken for that student and their family because their life has been forever changed,' she said. Seminole County Schools said every substitute teacher, including Jung, is certified with Exceptional Student Education, or ESE. 'ESE is an umbrella. It manages a variety of different learning styles, cognitive levels. It's not quite as specific as a deaf and hard of hearing credential or a visually impaired credential, but it is for students that will be teaching individuals with special needs,' Thornton explained. Although ESE training is necessary, it might not be enough when it comes to autism, according to the expert. 'A public educator who's working with children on the spectrum probably already has an ESC certificate. I would urge them honestly to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder endorsement, which is an additional level of education,' Thornton said. 'But what they also may need to invest in in the school system is working on teaching emotional intelligence and recognizing as an educator how we are feeling as we're working through the struggles of teaching individuals that need more support and maybe create more challenges.' Jung worked as a substitute teacher in Seminole County since August 2024. He was charged with battery and has posted $1,000 bail. The Seminole County school district sent the following statement regarding the case: 'Any allegations of misconduct by our staff will be taken seriously and handled quickly. We will continue to fully cooperate and assist law enforcement as they continue their investigation. The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and any type of behavior that jeopardizes that safety will not be tolerated in Seminole County Public Schools.' The Sanford Police Department is the leading agency investigating the case. As of Friday, the department said there were no updates on the investigation. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parents angry over proposed changes to Osceola County ESE program
The Brief The Osceola County School District plans significant changes to its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. Parents are concerned about the impact on their children's routines and the lack of consultation. Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff acknowledged communication issues, and families are advocating for more input. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Osceola County School District plans significant changes to its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. What we know Major changes are planned for the Osceola County School District's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. The key changes include integrating special needs students into general education classes and establishing 'HUBS' for those requiring more attention. However, these changes would disrupt students' current school assignments, potentially sending them to schools outside their zones. What we don't know It remains unclear how the changes will be implemented and what specific criteria will determine which students are placed in HUB schools. The exact number of HUB schools and how they will manage the influx of students with higher needs also remain unspecified. The backstory The proposed changes to the ESE program are part of broader efforts to address the district's challenges, including staffing shortages and limited state funding. With more than 13,800 students in the ESE program, the district has been struggling to meet the needs of its special education population. The school district has not consulted extensively with parents, which has led to growing concern and pushback from families. By the numbers According to the Osceola County School District's website, they currently have more than 69,000 students enrolled across 60 schools. Of those 69,000 students, 13,800 qualify for ESE classes. Timeline The changes were introduced at a recent school board meeting, and the impact is expected to be felt in the coming school year. Families are currently voicing their concerns and advocating for more transparency and input before the changes are fully implemented. What they're saying Parents, including Shannon Smallwood, whose daughter Charlotte has Smith-Magenis syndrome, expressed frustration over the abrupt changes. "These kids are flourishing where they're at now," said Smallwood. "So why the change? Why the abrupt change? Smallwood's daughter needs extra help in the classroom and qualifies as an ESE student. "I love my school," Charlotte excitedly said at her mom's side. For Karin Baker's 14-year-old son, Colin, it would mean leaving the school he's attended for years and going to a different one more than 45 minutes away. "He's going to have to learn new teachers, new peers, new friends… it's life-altering for these children," Baker said. "All of these kids with special needs, routine is crucial for them; it's crucial for them." Colin is diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. Baker said she's not opposed to changes within the district's ESE program, she just wants parents' input to be taken into consideration. "I would feel better if they said, let's pause this. Let's get some parent input… let's see how this is going to affect not only our ESE students, but our educators, our paraprofessionals," Baker said. "Give us a seat at the table, to give some input on how we could make successful changes." During Tuesday night's meeting, school board member Paula Bronson received a standing ovation after urging her fellow board members to be transparent with families whose lives are about to drastically change. "As a board member and an educator, I did not feel set up for success, so I can't imagine how the parents have to feel," Bronson said. Osceola County Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff listed county growth, ESE staffing shortages, and a lack of state funding as reasons for the adaptations – but he also admitted to wrongdoing. "There are things that have been communicated that I wish had been communicated better – from me… from me. I own that; not a member of my team… I'm the superintendent," Shanoff said. "If things aren't communicated effectively, that falls on my shoulders." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County School District, the Osceola County School Board, and parents Shannon Smallwood and Karin Baker.
