A parent has filed a complaint with the Morningside (Florida) Elementary School administration and is considering legal action after learning from her 5-year-old son that his teacher had led a vote by his fellow students that resulted in his being banished from the classroom.
Melissa Barton had originally filed a criminal complaint after learning that her son, Alex, had been relegated to the nurse's office on May 21, 2008, by virtue of a 14-2 "election" in his kindergarten class. However, the state attorney's office declined to file charges, noting that it felt the actions taken by the teacher did not meet the standard for child abuse.
On the day in question, Alex - who his mother said is in the process of being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism) - had been sent to the principal's office because of bad behavior. When he returned, his teacher, Wendy Portillo, had him stand in front of the class while other students told him what they didn't like about him. They then voted that he not be allowed back in the class.
On May 29, the TC Palm website reported that the teacher had provided police with an alternate version of the events. According to a report the Port St. Lucie Police Department released that day, the teacher claimed that she was attempting to demonstrate to Alex the degree to which his behavior was having a negative effect on those around him. She also told police that the vote was to decide whether Barton should be removed from class for that day only, and was not meant to establish his permanent exile.
"Portillo said she did this as she felt that if (Alex) heard from his classmates how his behavior affected them that it would make a bigger difference to him, rather than just hearing it from adults," the police report stated.
The St. Lucie County School District and Florida's Department of Children and Families are both conducting investigations related to the incident.
Labels: school, teaching, special needs
Posted By: Aspen Education Group