Pdevine’s Weblog

Yes, all great things eventually have to come to an end and it’s time for this happy adventurer to gear up for the transition home and Halloween.  It’s been a fabulous ride and one which has been fun to share with you. 

We’ll finish with a visit to a school for students with mental retardation.  This is one of 30 special schools of this nature in Tokyo with another 33 for students with physical disabilities, and yet more for those with hearing impairments and vision impairments and autism.  There are just over 200 students from k-12 and 96 staff, 70% of which are certified. 

The #1 goal for the school is to foster the children’s abilities to learn by themselves and to think for themselves through their daily living.  The curriculum is heavily slanted toward activites of daily living, and as students get older, vocational skills.  We were told that while a rcommendation is developed by a committee as to what kind of programming might be best for the children, parents have the final say whether the students go to this institution or to regular school with support in a resource room like setting.

Minato Special Support School

While the principal of the school suggested that an increasing number of parents wanted their children to go to this special school, in the afternoon we heard clearly by an emeritus professor that in 2011 the law forcing all regular schools to provide programming for all students with special needs will go into effect – essentially closing these special schools.  I perceive a political battle unfolding ing the next few years……….we’ll have to watch and see.  The Professor also said that as part of this philosophical shift, schools will be tasked to focus more on individual needs and differentiated instruction in an effort to improve performance on international assessments of ability of students to put their knowledge to work to solve problems………compared with comments made earlier in our visit just reinforces the impression that Japan’s educational system is heading toward a massive shake-up that will send ripples far into the base culture…..wow!

Another note of interest in the age of consolidation…..Professor Kato reported that he recently visited a school of two students and four staff, a fourth grade and sixth grade teacher plus an assistant principal and principal, as required by law…….he admited that this didn’t make much sense, and the financial situation in the country will eventually force a change in the law, especially as schools are facing teacher and administrative shortages in some areas.

Enough, enough, enough….I could go on and on…….but you’ll have to wait for Open House and some other presentations, and I have to help the Takeo Tigers put on our group presentation, enjoy our Sayonara banquet – sadly the last of the JFMF program, and find some way to pack up all my artifacts and presents for the long ride home.  While I like the idea of getting home earlier than when I leave, I doubt if my body will appreciate it.

Sayonara,

Thanks for reading and see you all soon,

Here’s to future adventures for all of you!