And the Special Education 'Reforms' are doing what exactly???

To the question how we think teachers here in NYC generally deal with Special Education students in the schools and classes, I posted this note in October 2011:

Leinweber • October 11, 2011, 9:45 PM

Many teachers here in the city, including new and old alike, ones 'cultivated' from instant teacher training programs, AND ones with years of experience.. MANY just simply do NOT understand what is involved. I have had the unfortunate experience of working in a 'CTT' (now renamed ICT) where the teacher working alongside me was not only ignorant of basic IEP requirements, but she also was punitive with young students with known disabilities. Anyone who thinks this is unusual to find such insensitivity and ignorance about learning differences is just not looking! Around the city, there are many great teachers, and many of them know what it means to truly address all types of learners. Many however are entirely unprepared, and principals unable or unwilling to give these teachers the sort of training necessary to work with students who have difficulties and who need different supports in order to excel. It takes a valiant effort on the part of the administrators to really take a hard and honest look at how money and special education funding is being used in our schools. Often, funding for training and special resources is available, but schools use much of it for general purposes, and not for the enhancement of teacher support and training of our students in need. The result: children who are not receiving proper 'integrated' classes, uneven and unsuccessful learning when the outcome could be so much better, and a DOE and City Administration that just looks the other way.