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» Winter 2007: Building Strong Districts

Labeling Students

I am very appreciative of the information shared on your Web site and completely thrilled and excited about the research Virginia, Bob, and others at University of Washington conduct in the field of learning disabilities (“Why Can’t I Read?” in spring 2003). I am the chair of the special education department at Seattle University and teach graduate students. My students read many of the journal articles that come from these studies.

My issue is the phrases used such as “LD kid,” “learning disabled kid,” etc. I strongly believe in person-first language and believe we should label the disability, not the kid. I know that Dr. Berninger and the authors of this article are respectful of children and people with disabilities, but I would hope that a little more time could be taken with language and describe “a child with a learning disability.” I actually “charge” my grad students a quarter if they say “sped kid,”“BD kid,”or “MR kid.” I also believe very strongly in self-advocacy and self-determination for all people, including children with disabilities. I am not suggesting that children and families are not completely knowledgeable about the learning disability, but rather that we are careful with our language. Thanks for hearing me out!

Cinda Johnson
Professor of Special Education
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

P.S. In addition to being a professor here at SU, I have a state-needs grant in transition services that I always want to share with parents, students, and teachers. The Web site is www.seattleu.edu/ccts. I do follow-up research with youth after they leave high school (postschool outcome studies) and provide training technical assistance in secondary special education.

Kudos

“Creating a Culture of Readers” (in spring 2004) is a truly inspiring and hopeful description of how to create an environment that’s safe and welcoming for students. Incredible!

Kari Rustand
High School English Teacher
North Sioux City, SD

We want to hear from you! Send your letters to the editor, comments on current and past issues, article ideas, and tips on places where good things are happening to nwedufeedback@nwrel.org. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.

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	Forum Labeling Students I am very appreciative of the information shared on your Web site and completely thrilled and excited about the research Virginia, Bob, and others at University of Washington conduct in the field of learning disabilities (“Why Can’t I Read?” in spring 2003). I am the chair of the special education department at Seattle University and teach graduate students. My students read many of the journal articles that come from these studies. My issue is the phrases used such as “LD kid,” “learning disabled kid,” etc. I strongly believe in person-first language and believe we should label the disability, not the kid. I know that Dr. Berninger and the authors of this article are respectful of children and people with disabilities, but I would hope that a little more time could be taken with language and describe “a child with a learning disability.” I actually “charge” my grad students a quarter if they say “sped kid,”“BD kid,”or “MR kid.” I also believe very strongly in self-advocacy and self-determination for all people, including children with disabilities. I am not suggesting that children and families are not completely knowledgeable about the learning disability, but rather that we are careful with our language. Thanks for hearing me out! Cinda Johnson Professor of Special Education Seattle University Seattle, WA P.S. In addition to being a professor here at SU, I have a state-needs grant in transition services that I always want to share with parents, students, and teachers. The Web site is www.seattleu.edu/ccts. I do follow-up research with youth after they leave high school (postschool outcome studies) and provide training technical assistance in secondary special education. Kudos “Creating a Culture of Readers” (in spring 2004) is a truly inspiring and hopeful description of how to create an environment that’s safe and welcoming for students. Incredible! Kari Rustand High School English Teacher North Sioux City, SD We want to hear from you! Send your letters to the editor, comments on current and past issues, article ideas, and tips on places where good things are happening to nwedufeedback@nwrel.org. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.
This Issue's Table of Contents Northwest Education is a product of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. It is available online in both PDF and HTML versions. Look for Web exclusives, marked with		View PDF (1p, 68K) Print this Article Write the Editors

Northwest Education

Winter 2007 / Volume 12, Number 2.

Forum

Labeling Students

Kudos

This Issue's Table of Contents