Schooling Children with Down Syndrome

"Schooling Children with Down Syndrome"
By: Christopher Kliewer


Author's Argument:
In this article Kwielwer expresses the need for people to view and respect people with disabilities as equals and provide them with equal opportunities.

Quotes:

1. "How absurd to be judged by others at all, especially by those who have never experienced a disability or who are unwillingly providing us with support or who don't listen to the voices we have."

• This quote is speaking about judging others when you've never experienced what they are. This quote reminded me of a quote from Peggy McIntosh from the conference “Nobody is the authority on your experiences but you". It isn't fair to judge or refuse to help those who need us because we are ignorant to their differences.

2. "[Community] requires a willingness to see people as they are-different perhaps in their minds and in their bodies, but not different in their spirits or in their willingness and ability to contribute to the mosaic of society. It requires the "helper" to have the humility to listen for what the person says he or she needs. Also, the "helper" must see that the interaction "helps" both ways."

• This quote is saying that community means we must all view each other as equals even when we are different on the outside. Also, everyone's ability to participate in society must be recognized, we all play different roles that make up this very complex world. A person "helping" someone with a disability must realize they are helping and being helped through the experience.

3. "...society itself is hurt when schools act as cultural sorting machines-locations that "justify a competitive ethic that marginalizes certain students or groups of students...[that] legitimize discrimination and devaluation on the basis of dominant society's preferences in matters of ability, gender, ethnicity, and race...and [that] endorse an elaborate process of sorting by perceived ability and behavior."

• This quote made me think of the tracking article we read a few weeks ago. This quote is saying that society is hurt when schools track and that schools legitimize these practices based on what dominant society says who meets the standards. Also, it's saying that children of all abilities and standards are being judged in this way, children from all cultures, learning levels, and those with disabilities.

Questions/Comments:
I essentially agree with what everyone else said, this was a great article once you got through all the technical stuff at the beginning. I've always felt like there isn't enough stuff like this out there, in the mainstream, to make people understand what disabilities are all about and to teach them to be more compassionate about the topic. This article was touching, and even though my concentration isn't in special education I hope to one day have a classroom of mixed students, all working together in harmony, helping each other go further, and where there is no judgments passed.