Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Aspen Education Group
ASR's Violations of Massachusetts Education Law
TheWho:
So it looks like we have come full circle, Again. It is clear the state needs to determine what regulations apply to ASR. What we know is they are classified as a "Specialty school" but they are not approved as a special education school so the regulations do not apply until after approval, so they are in limbo.
Until the state defines where ASR fits within their system or breaks out a new category for TBS's I don’t see this getting resolved. So the starting point seems to be with the state.
ASR is tired of trying to get the state off their duffs and do something, maybe a few letters from the public could help.
Troll Control:
--- Quote from: ""Guest"" ---
--- Quote from: ""Dysfunction Junction"" ---I agree. It's settled. Energy should be focused on lobbying the state agencies to enforce their regulations in regard to ASR. Let's work that contact list and get it going.
It is amusing to watch TheWho get totally worn down through his self-flagellation though. That's worth something.
But, yes, some facts have been established.
1. ASR is classified by the state. They are classified as a "Special Education School".
2. ASR does not employ any licensed teachers nor any special educators, so they remain "unapproved" by the state.
3. ASR does not appear in the Mohawk Regional School District's comprehensive review for 2007 which indicates their "partnership" with the district has ended in 2007.
4. ASR remains unaccredited and is legally barred by the state from issuing state sanctioned diplomas.
These appear to be the only objectively verifiable facts and the rest of the back-and-forth is just raw speculation.
--- End quote ---
As was stated, these are the objectively verifiable facts. The state's motivation to do or not do things, the "hybrid" argument, etc., is all just speculation. The facts above are the only ones that are verifiable and not someone's opinion.
What AnonWho just posted is simply more of his opinions, but the facts are listed in the quoted post above.
Let's just stick with facts to keep the dialogue real - nobody needs phonied-up information and opinions that don't bear out with the facts.
--- End quote ---
Let's be very clear. AnonWho is stating ASR is classified as a "specialty school" but no such category exists in Mass, and it is clear on the DoE website that ASR is in fact classified as a Special Education School, not a "specialty school".
The reason they are an Unapproved Special Education School is not because of some confusion about their role, it's because they don't meet the minimum standards under state law for approval.
Any assertion otherwise is disingenuous and not factual.
TheWho:
--- Quote ---The reason they are an Unapproved Special Education School is not because of some confusion about their role, it's because they don't meet the minimum standards under state law for approval.
--- End quote ---
of course they don’t...that is the point. They don’t meet the standards because they are not a "Special education school" as defined by the state of Massachusetts. They are a TBS and they don’t have a category for TBS (check their drop down menu selections) so they stick them under "Special ed school", but if you look at the requirements for a special education school they don’t fit a TBS. They are a hybrid and have been operating as such for a decade. They don’t meet any existing standards (in full) for any one category, but meet the standards of many different categories.
The state needs to draw up requirements for Therapeutic Boarding schools, but until then schools like ASR will have to live in between categories.
Anonwho
Troll Control:
--- Quote ---AnonWho wrote:
"...they are not a "Special education school" as defined by the state of Massachusetts.
--- End quote ---
This is, in point of fact, a lie.
Here's the link to ASR's profile in the list of DoE classified Special Education Schools:
http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/home.asp?m ... t=2&o=2588
It's true there is no category of "TBS" because the law does not recognize such a thing. The fact is, legally ASR is Spec Ed.
RobertBruce:
Uh oh Cindy, I guess that whole hybrid idea just went out the window.
In doing some reading I came across the regs for special education programs.
I found this particular listing to be interesting:
--- Quote ---(b) Mail and Telephone. Written and telephone communication shall not be prohibited. It shall be each student's right to open and send his/her own mail unread by staff, except in accordance with the following circumstances:
1. Such restrictions or censorship must be limited to that which is necessary to achieve the therapeutic purpose outlined in the student's IEP.
2. Mail that is restricted or censored must be returned to the sender with reasons therefore.
3. Staff may open and inspect student's mail for contraband only in the presence of the student.
4. The school shall make available a telephone (pay or free) to students.
5. Telephone communication may not be restricted or monitored unless there are specific therapeutic reasons justifying such limitations.
a. Such therapeutic reasons must be clearly stated in the student's IEP and must be no greater than necessary to achieve the therapeutic purpose.
b. If phone conversations are monitored, the parties to the conversation must be informed.
c. There must be no restrictions or monitoring of conversations between a student and his/her attorney, social worker or clergy person.
--- End quote ---
I wonder if ASR has been violating these regs?
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