A school board member in Oregon, Ron Chinn, referred to students with special needs as "slabs -slow,low and belows." While he gave what appeared to be contrite apology, this man needs to resign as several members of the school board have urged. There is no room on any school board for a person who has such impaired judgemnt to put it mildly.
What could this man been thinking at the time he made such a nasty statement ? He claimed in his apology that he was ill at the time, but still that hardly explains his willingness to share such gratuitious nastiness, especially given his public position. Mr. Chinn may not appreciate that his comments degrade children with special needs throughout the country, and give voice to others who hold low opinions of children who receive special education. Comments such as these should spark a public dialogue on the reasons and the remedies for the negative perceptions of children with special needs.