Cuts may mean less help for special-needs students
07.05.11
Each time Griffin Shippy streaked by running after the soccer ball, Gore cheered. She also showed him white cards with pictures on them – non-verbal reminders to use nice hands and follow directions.
Since Griffin has autism, he doesn't always know the appropriate social behavior on the playground, said Melissa Mills, autism curriculum teacher at Eaton. It's part of Gore's job as a special education paraeducator, or teacher assistant, to remind him.
“Hey, Griffin, I saw you kick that ball,” she said. “High five!”
Without Gore's gentle prodding and cues, Griffin might not join in as much on the playground, Mills said.
But fewer special education paraeducators might be returning to New Hanover County Schools next year because of tough budget cuts the district may face to the tune of $21.5 million.
Because of possible steep cuts in state and county funding and the end of the federal shot in the arm that was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, New Hanover County along with districts across the nation are preparing to step off a funding cliff.
Source: StarNewsOnline.com