All Kids Can Learn
All kids can learn, but when Penny was born, I was told only that she would have developmental delays and an intellectual disability. What if I had been told instead…
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Supreme Court and Affirmative Action
I’m a white woman who went to an Ivy League school. I’m pretty sure my grades and leadership positions in high school meant that I “merited” a spot in that…
What an Assessment of My Daughter’s Life Tells Me About Us
Every few years, Penny goes through a series of tests to determine the extent of her disability and, therefore, what services she is eligible to receive. I am tasked with…
Deficit-Based Language
The only way to receive special education services for kids is by focusing on their deficits. I received a DM from one of you the other day about this reality:…
The IEP Meeting Every Child With a Disability Deserves
Peter and I both cried at Penny’s annual meeting to discuss her IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals. We cried because we were so overwhelmed with pride in her and gratitude…
S5 E10 | How Kids Can Fight Racism with Dr. Jemar Tisby
Can our children really make a difference in the fight against racism? Dr. Jemar Tisby, author of How to Fight Racism Young Reader’s Edition, talks with Amy Julia Becker about…
In Her Own Words: Penny’s Advice to a Student Beginning Ninth Grade
I asked our daughter Penny to take a few moments to reflect on her experience in ninth grade. We talked about how there are all sorts of things that happen…
Learning Science as a Teen in High School With an Intellectual Disability
Should Penny take Chemistry next year, as a tenth grader with an intellectual disability? This is the question set before us as we began to plan with Penny and her…
AJB Recommends: Resources About Critical Race Theory
Parents are worried about their kids learning Critical Race Theory in the classroom. Some are concerned about indoctrination. Some are worried about kids only learning the negative aspects of American…
Every Kid Deserves a Community of Support
Earlier this month, I shared about the PATH process we participated in with Penny, in which we dreamed about her future. It’s been amazing to see the difference that meeting…
