Rep. Rick Winkel's bill states that other students need to be separated from those who are chronically disruptive in order to learn. [Lawmakers] have defined chronically disruptive as a student who has en-gaged in any of several behaviors from threats to thefts, carrying weapons and gang-related activities.

The bill also states that the schools "to the greatest extent possible ... shall locate the alternative school so that it is as far away from any other school in that educational service region as circumstances permit" and that it " ... shall create a curriculum designed to address the individualized needs of the students of that school, with special emphasis toward making the educational experience of each student meaningful and worthwhile." Isn't this what the traditional schools' role should be in the first place?

I think the taxpayers should be informed that this is another needless building expense that educators will spend money on so that they can rid their schools of the troubled youth they should be addressing in the traditional school. Putting all chronically disruptive students together in one place is not going to improve matters, but create a totally chaotic school environment. Nor would any student look forward to attending a school labeled for the chronically disruptive.

I am not saying that alternative education isn't needed for such offenders. In fact, I believe every student should be in an alternative education program. And finding solutions to help troubled youth can be problematic. However, there currently exists such a solution that could be utilized without building more schools and paying more for bureaucratic curriculum designers, staff and administrators.

It's called Wraparound, and Illinois citizens should thank Department of Children and Family Services Director Jess McDonald for attempting to implement it here. It was originally targeted for kids with severe emotional disturbances and for DCFS wards, but it works for any children who are having problems adjusting to school, home and their community. By the way, Wraparound does not call kids chronically disruptive.

According to the description, "Wraparound is not a program or a type of service. It is a value base and an unconditional commitment to create services on a 'one kid at a time' basis to support normalized and inclusive options for students with complex needs and their families." An individualized plan is developed that is needs-driven rather than service-driven. It is strengths-based, and services are community-based.

Troubled youth need more than alternative schools as far away from their regular school as possible. They need jobs, health services, mentors, counseling, recreational opportunities and a secure environment. It's time for the state to start utilizing programs in place instead of having taxpayers pay for more of the same. Darlene Bakk
St. Charles

Thanks for a word of truth
Editor: A word of great appreciation for the October article by Charles N. Wheeler (see page 6). His is yet another voice of concern for the needy and disadvantaged in Illinois. The article is a light touch, not scolding and blaming, just a word of truth.

If one ignores for a moment the political justification and spin, one must admit that our state is becoming hard-hearted. Perhaps Charles Wheeler can influence an improvement in what receives "top billing" in our state government. David Lawson
Springfield

How to write to us
Your comments on articles and columns are welcome. Please keep letters brief (250 words): We reserve the right to excerpt them so that as many as space allows can be published. Send your letters to:
Letters to the Editor
Illinois Issues
University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, IL 62794-9243
e-mail address on Internet:
boyer-long.peggy@uis.edu
e-mail address on Access Illinois:
peggy.long@accessil.com
or: dial 217-787-6255 for free access

November 1995 / Illinois Issues / 31