Can a public school really do that? - Sunshine Cleaning (2009) Discussion

[–] kumabearkuso-1 14 years ago

As a teacher (since 1978 w/a specialty in special ed)we can't legally require it because we are not medical doctors. That scene bothers me because none of the people involved are medical doctors. We have many children with problems and medication becomes a last resort if nothing else works and all we can do is suggest the parents consult a medical doctor. If we say a child has to have something, we then have to provide it (at least in AZ.)
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
Kate

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[–] haydeecm 14 years ago

I guess I was more bothered by the expulsion, can schools really expel trouble children instead of helping them. I thought he would be put in a smaller classroom with other children that would benefit from special attention.

Glad to hear that the school systems dont require or push parents into medication. I cant say I blame the lady for saying no, but I wouldve fought them instead of taking the kid out and keeping him home until I can afford private school.

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[–] kumabearkuso-1 14 years ago

Even expulsions have a due process hearing, at least in the state of AZ. Whether the child is special needs or not, they have to go through legal procedures for expulsion because once an expulsion occurs no school in the US has to educate that child.

I know that part of the movie bothered me too, but I have gotten use to TV and movies not necessarily portray schools in an accurate way....and the way they handled that child was not the way it should have been done. Although I know there are places that don't follow what should be happening.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
Kate

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[–] SingGal90 14 years ago

I got the impression that Oscar wasn't kicked out of this school. They wanted to put Oscar in special ed classes, and Rose (knowing that was not the right place for her son) decided to pull him out instead. It was however stated that he has been expelled from schools before, but they don't state the specific circumstances.

Only thing to do is jump over the moooooooooooooon!

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[–] YourSock 14 years ago

Yes they can kick him out,
no they can't force him to take medication,
yes they can strongly recommend that the child be placed on medication
If they do expel him they must provide some sort of alternative education whether that be weekly visits with a tutor etc

my knowledge concerns Washington state, my mother was a special ed teacher for a number of years first in 9-12 then 6-8 and at the high school they always had a problem with certain of the students going off their meds and being uncontrollable

sadly the school system being set up the way it is (in Washington) children with behavioral disorders are placed in the same classes as children with learning disorders

so if you have a hard time in class because you keep getting distracted and need individual instruction lets put you in a class room full of kids who only live to cause disruptions, defiance and chaos

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[–] rph3664 14 years ago

Schools cannot require that children be medicated, but they can require that a child receive a psychiatric evaluation. IIRC, if they require it, they also have to pay for it too.

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[–] pypsqweek 10 years ago

Agreed. I will say that the child's record is considered. If the child is repeatedly expelled from different school and they come to a new school,they do attempt to help the child and given several chances before they are expelled. That include special classes. they are placed there when they are distuptive and cannot work in a regular classroom because they create too many disruptions. Expulsion is the last resort. Once the child is not accepted at public schools then the child goes to private school.

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[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

In my corner of the world the opposite would be more likely to occur. The kid would be booted out of the private school and be seeking a position in the public school, because there is more help and tolerance with special needs kids in the public system, rather than the private.

Of course the above scenario would not suit the plot requirements of the film.

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[–] partydjz (424) 7 years ago

Whoever that fat dude was, principle or whatever, had he pulled that crap with my child I would've had him in front of the School Board and sued them all.

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