Category Archives: Creative Non-Fiction

The Value of an Education

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Janis Arnold

The attached article is re-posted from Governor Mike Huckabee’s March 14, 2022 newsletter. Everything that Gov Huckabee writes is consistent with what I have learned during my over 30 years of involvement in the Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Puerto … Continue reading →

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ARD Meetings Aren’t Supposed to be Run by Lawyers

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Janis Arnold

12 THINGS TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN DEALING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS “I’m retiring,” my friend said. “You aren’t old enough to retire,” I replied. “Yeah, I am. I’ve been a teacher in this district for nineteen years and I’ve never lied … Continue reading →

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Let’s Roll!

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Dietrich Bonhoeffer:   Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong. For the purposes of today’s discussion, I’m going to define the “strong” as our government officials … Continue reading →

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Without a Paper Trail, We’re Toast!

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Janis Arnold

PARENTS, YOU MUST CREATE A PAPER TRAIL BEFORE YOU HIRE AN ADVOCATE, OTHERWISE YOU’RE JUST SPINNING YOUR WHEELS Lots of things that school districts get up to these days don’t pass the smell test but few of the actions taken … Continue reading →

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Just the Facts, Ma’am; Just the Facts

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Today I’m going to talk to you about special education law, specifically special education case law. Case law isn’t all that interesting, however it is much less boring than I previously believed it to be. The trick, for me, has … Continue reading →

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PLAAFPs are supposed to be the Foundation of every IEP

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Today’s lesson to parents and advocates: No matter how many times the members of your child’s IEP team tell you that “they’ve got your child’s best interests at heart,” you are advised not to believe them. At best, go ahead … Continue reading →

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Don’t Let Anyone Rent Space in Your Head

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Sample Letter from Parent to District Articulating Specific Concerns and Referencing Evidence to Support Parent’s “asks.” This letter contains three parts: an identifying information opening, a salutation, and a summary of your case. I suggest that you send a letter/email … Continue reading →

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5.17.2020 Texas Special Education Continues to be AWOL

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Janis Arnold

I didn’t write this article, I copied and modified it from the website, educationviews.org The article was written by writers from Houston Public Media and the Houston Chronicle and is based on four case studies of Special Needs children and … Continue reading →

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Gee-Whiz, I Wish I’d Known all this Stuff Back Then

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Janis Arnold

  File today’s post under the heading of gee-whiz, I wish I’d known all this legal stuff back then. From IDEA 2004, (c) Parent-initiated evaluations. If the parent obtains an independent educational evaluation at public expense or shares with the … Continue reading →

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I Thought Mother Teresa Lived in Abject Poverty

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Janis Arnold

In 1995 my writing career appeared to be dead in the water so it came as somewhat of a relief to me when a special education  director from a small town south of San Antonio called and asked if she … Continue reading →

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TEACHER, CAN YOU PLAY WITH ME?

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Janis Arnold

Today is April 18, 2020. I’m only marginally stir crazy as Gov. Abbot announced yesterday that Texas will soon reopen for business, although it is beyond infuriating that the DISTRICT is using the Corona virus as its latest reason to … Continue reading →

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Kairos

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Janis Arnold

I created this video about Kairos, a prison ministry similar to an Acts or Emmaeus retreat  at the request of Valerie Slade who works and worships at my church, AHUMC. I can’t take credit for the powerful testimonies contained within … Continue reading →

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