“10 Whys”
Here are 10 “Whys” that I don’t have ready answers for:
1). Why are 504 Plans templated? Shouldn’t they be made specifically for each child. Every 504 I’ve ever seen has “extra time,” for example. What if the child doesn’t need extra time?
2) Why teach phonics if the child has mastered decoding? About 75% of children by middle second grade have learned how to read. The last thing they need are phonics?
3) Why “kick the can down the road” when there are strong identifiers of problems in 1st grade. Delaying intervention is almost never good practice.
4) Why do we think a reading problem (i.e., dyslexia) is a medical condition? Do you know any pediatric neurologists who are giving a battery of reading tests?
5) Why do we think most behavior issues are due to a neurological condition that requires medication?
6) Why do we not remember that if the child has trouble with reading, spelling and writing, the likelihood is the child will feel anxious when they see others who can do what they can’t?
7) Why do we allow children to spend endless hours on a tablet/screen/phone, and then get upset when school scores are poor?
8) Why do we not remember the phone is yours, not your child’s?
9) Why would you think your child is doing something like schoolwork when they are secluded in their room for hours on end?
10) Why do we not consider that the vast majority of boys from about the age of 8 or so have all the hallmark features of “executive function deficits?” In other words, most boys are not steering their boat..
I can easily come up with about 50 more “whys,” but this is good enough to stir the pot.