Week 2 Fireside Chat - EDUL 655 Viterbo University - Instructor David P. Perrodin, PhD | 01-29-2024

Viterbo University Instructor David P. Perrodin, PhD, delivers the Week 2 Fireside Chat for EDUL 655 - Pupil Services & Nondiscrimination, Spring 2024. He recaps week 1 discussions about percentages of students identified with disabilities and served under IDEA or under Section 504. In week 1, students noted that OHI and 504 numbers were increasing in their districts and an analysis of the referrals indicates concerns about anxiety, depression, and other mental health areas. Additionally, effects of "long COVID" will be observed in youth as manifesting in "brain fog" and other altered cognitive processes. Many students discovered that student or family handbooks were measured at the college level for readability. Best interest of the child was analyzed from both a legal and belief mindset. Week 2 brings us to the intersection of disability and discrimination. Students are reminded to monitor for passive forms of discrimination in reading levels of handbooks and communications with families. And, some school websites now offer a dropdown menu that enables quick conversion of site content from English to an array of other language options! Students are also apprised of LGBTQ resources available from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction and encouraged to review local policies and practices to promote awareness and inclusive school settings. Learning terms were announced and students will commence planning to welcome a student with an allergy to their district with considerations of discrimination, harassment, best interest, discretion, and special education.