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As an ALAP teacher for the past 14 years I would like to clarify some misconceptions and untruths.

First, unfortunately Ms. Harris-Connors has been misinformed, There has NEVER been a quota set for the number of students invited into the ALAP program. EVERY student that meets the requirements is accepted and picked up for services, regardless of the number of students currently enrolled in the program. We have even accepted Home Schooled and Private school children that met the requirements.

Second, up until four years ago ALAP WAS a broader program! The ALAP teachers went into the regular classrooms for inclusion purposes. We provided enrichment for the whole class. I personally worked in 6 - third grade classrooms as well as provided pull-out services for identified students each week. The other ALAP teachers did the same. In addition to this we all worked with classroom teachers providing materials, strategies and support for the identified ALAP AND ALSO above average learners in their classrooms. At that time the ALAP program consisted of three full time teachers servicing students in ALL the WPS elementary schools (20). Since then the ALAP staff has been cut back to 2.5 teachers with a $0 dollar budget. We were still able to be a resource for the classroom teacher but were not able to continue with inclusion.

Third, the regular classroom teacher has the benefit of support from the ENTIRE Special Education Department in each elementary school when she/he services special needs students in the regular classroom. There is no such department to support the classroom teacher of gifted special education students any longer.

From: Added school surplus reduces need for cuts

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