Lesson 07 Reflection

This week we continued to look at the referral process for Special Education services. The assessments can be a little confusing to interpret, so we watched a video that helped explain that in more detail. (video found here: https://screencast.com/t/PNMmvXYZb62J ) Our case study for the week looked at a young girl named Esther who had been experiencing struggles in her schooling. She had been adopted from Mexico after being raised by a mother who had neglected her and then abandoned Esther at a bus station, then she lived in an orphanage for a year and a half. We looked at her assessment scores and made decisions about where to place her so that she could now receive extra help, but my heart was just focused on how troubled her young life had been. I think that in my future encounters with children like Esther, I need to remember to focus on more than just the data and assessment scores, and remember that there is a human life behind the numbers. Esther needs care and compassion and support from loving and trustworthy adults who can help her to grow and see the value in education and the steps that will get her there.