Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson hopes a resolution that the School Board will consider at tonight's trustee meeting will boost efforts to get students with special needs closer to a mainstream education. Resolution 21-15 "Endorsing Inclusive Education Practices for Every Student" spells out that students are to be welcomed...
At-Risk Students Back on Clovis Unified Campuses. Fresno, Central Yet To Act.
This week for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic closed schools abruptly in mid-March, Clovis teachers met with their students in their classrooms. In following with state and local public health directives, the class sessions were small — no more than two children, and no more than two teachers...
These Clovis Unified Kids Will Be Back at School Starting Monday
Some of Clovis Unified School District's most needy students will return to school starting Monday, spokeswoman Kelly Avants says. About 300 severely disabled students of all ages and preschoolers and kindergartners enrolled in the Program for the Acquisition of Language and Social Skills will come individually to campus no more...
New School-Opening Guidelines Bring Good News for Special Needs Students
Like many students across the Valley, Jodie Howard's son has struggled with distance learning since schools closed abruptly last March due to the coronavirus pandemic. He has autism and has a hard time understanding why his computer, once a source of gaming fun, now represents hard work and challenges as...
Local Coalition Ensures Special-Needs Students Aren't Forgotten During Closures
Providing distance learning for most students is challenging, as teachers and parents are finding out while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the challenges are multiplied for special-needs students whose specialized instruction and therapies have been interrupted by the need for as many people as possible to...
Special-Needs Advocates Pack 1-2 Punch With BREN Clinic
Parents of special-needs children in the Valley have two bright, organized, and hardworking advocates in their corner. Meet Jodie Howard. After battling school officials to obtain needed services for her autistic son, she enrolled at San Joaquin College of Law to gain the knowledge to help him and others like...
'Sweet' Holiday Sounds Break Heart of Mom With Excluded Son
School holiday concerts and plays are a source of great pride for parents. The singing, acting, and costumes often provide joyful lifetime memories. But the holiday program Wednesday night at Figarden Elementary School triggered anguish in Chrissy and Michael Kelly. Special Needs Class Excluded That's because the school excluded Parker...
Ashjian vs. Nelson: A Hot, Loud Debate on Special Ed
Cool, calm and collected Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson has a temper after all — as you can see in the video accompanying this article. The trustee who spiked Nelson's blood pressure: Brooke Ashjian, with his comments on a $1 million supplementary spending proposal for special education. A million dollars...
12 Days of Philanthropy: EPU Children's Center
What started over 40 years ago as a small support group has expanded into an incredible resource for parents of children with specialized needs. Today, EPU Children's Center offers more than 1,000 services each week to families who have a child born with a disability, born prematurely, face chronic illness...