Clusters and Budget Cuts

[Guest guest]

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one for

each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years as

coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified

behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism

teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras,

and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist,

counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the

administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with representatives

from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This involves training

in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and recent research.

This is also a forum for discussions related to their responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should know

their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a

coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's

principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable for

who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong

time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is more

to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers have been

told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in each

classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress. In

this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the

principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop

schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I

urge everybody to contact local and state politicians and ask that they " save "

the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz