5-year-old, voted out of class, goes global

By now, you've probably heard the story of young Alex Barton, the Port St. Lucie autistic kindergartner whose teacher, Wendy Portillo, allowed her students to vote Alex out of the class because of his constant disruptions.

If not, you're probably not the media junkie we thought you might be.

His story, naturally, has gone viral on the Internet because of its shocking and salacious nature. And not surprisingly, his family has received letters of support from around the globe (not to mention invites to appear on talk shows), the Port St. Lucie Tribune reports.

The paper's business columnist, meanwhile, wants more details before he'll take a side, and he finds they aren't as easily accessible as one might like. So far, Alex's mom seems to be doing all of the talking.

"Of the hundreds of online comments, both on our tcpalm.com Web site and others (including one at the Chicago Tribune), many people are demanding Portillo's head. They want her fired — or worse. Many think she should never stand in front of a class of students again," Anthony Westbury writes in his piece, What's really going on in that classroom? "They might be right, but I'm not willing to bury the lady until I've heard the other side."

It's a classic "she said-no comment" case. Like the rest of the world, we'll be waiting for an answer, too.

Comments

[angel]

That is messed up for the teacher to do that. if the teacher cant handle that child then she does not need to be a teacher or she needs go and take a few classes to learn how to do so.
no child should be denied for any reason and the teacher should not have let the class vote him out that is not their job either. why didnt she go to the principal or something to try to resolve the matter?

[angel]

That is messed up for the teacher to do that. if the teacher cant handle that child then she does not need to be a teacher or she needs go and take a few classes to learn how to do so.
no child should be denied for any reason and the teacher should not have let the class vote him out that is not their job either. why didnt she go to the principal or something to try to resolve the matter?

[David]

Charlie Christ, I hope you now understand why you plan will not work. Not "every" teacher is able to teach "any" child. Put special education students back in special education programs.

[Cathi]

They need to vote her out of teaching any child again. Every child has a right to an education and who is she to say this child is not entitled to that education.

[Cheryl]

Although I don't agree with the teacher's way of handling things, if they are, in fact, true...I don't think a child with special needs, who is distruptive has any business in the mainstream classroom.

[Mom]

My son started Kindergarten this year and has had ongoing behavior problems. His behavior was disrupting the class which makes it difficult for the other kids to learn. I disagree with the 'voting' the child out of the class however I would like to know how hard the mother worked with the teacher to improve this childs behavior. I worked with my son and met frequently with his teacher until his behavior improved. Now the entire class-including my son can learn with fewer distractions.

[Former Teacher]

While I completely disagree with the methods used by Ms. Portillo, I think it's imperative to understand that teachers are rarely trained or provided the professional support needed daily to educate autistic children. I taught 2 children with Asperger's and they exhibited highly disruptive behaviors. Teachers face a true dilemma in deciding whether to allow the rights of 1 child to supersede the rights of the other children in the classroom who are just as entitled to learn in a disruption-free environment. School districts need to provide adequate support so that situations like this never occur.

[Sonja]

How about the teacher from Fuguitt Elementary who sticks her fingers in her students nose and leads them around the room when she is upset if they don't sit still. You have no idea of the things these teachers get away with.
They just get passed on to another school with a good recommendation when the school can no longer tolerate their actions.

I hope the talk shows invite the two children that voted to keep him in the class. Those kids have strength of character and fortitude! I'm proud of them for doing the right thing when they were in the minority!

[David]

My nephew is autistic, so this hits close to home. I don't necessarily agree with the tactics the teacher used, but at the same time we have to consider the needs of the other students in the classroom as well. If the disruptions caused by Alex are interferring with the other children's learning, then other arrangments should be made. Alex has a right to an equal education, but so do all the other students in the class.

[Dr_Dug]

Maybe the teacher is too pretty to understand whats been done.....

[MELISSA]

The real question is.... who's the teacher and who's the student?

If you have ever been in a classroom with extremely disruptive students, maybe your opinions would not be as harsh as they are. If your child was on that classroom maybe your perspective would be different, if your child was the one being pushed, picked on by this child, or was not learning anything because of this particular student or students maybe we will be talking about solutions and not attacking the teacher. I am sure there were other steps previous to the voting out. Though, where was the administration and the ESE department in all this? How much help did this teacher get?? Look at it from different angles, don't be so quick to judge, we do not know the facts in all.Where were the parents? School cannot do it alone, teachers cannot do it alone.
In many instances teachers' hands are tied by administrative rules and many times students with these behaviors are rewarded instead of placed on some sort of strategy or therapy.
But still, teachers will always be blamed for it, it is not right.

[Mo]

Don't judge so quickly. In grade K my son started showing signs of ADHD. By the 1st grade I had no choice but to have him tested by his pediatrician as my frequent meetings and contact with the teacher and school admin AND my constant attempts to change how he acted "away" from home were not working. Once diagnosed, I found that along with myself, the teacher and staff also were learning how to deal. Administration just wanted him medicated, I insisted that they learn ways to redirect him and to spot the signs he was reaching that "line" until I found medication that worked without doping him up. That teacher admitted to me she had no experience with children with ADHD but she stayed in constant contact with me, we met often and truly worked towards making sure he got his education and allowed the other children to do the same. ADHD comes in many forms (hyperactivity, introverted and even violence). I couldn't imagine what it would have been like if he had been anything other than just a bundle of energy that couldn't focus on one thing at a time. These teachers are ill prepared for having all children in the same classrooms. A little extra education on how to redirect and how to handle different situations and disabilities would go a LONG way for teachers, students and parents!

[Autism Speaks]

This is an ethics and professional code violation. It has nothing to do with the child being Autistic. She put a child in a situation that was demeaning, cruel, self esteem destroying and beyond any boundaries of professional practices. She violated State of FL DOE rules, policies, and procedures. We are talking about a five year old child. As an educator and a parent of a PDD-NOS child this made me truly cry when reading the original article. You have no idea what you go through and do for your child. Had it been my child I would of gone after all in charge and whom defended her actions. I hope the teacher at least apologized to the child and family regardless of her job status.

[jenn78]

Although there may not be a number of details on what acutually happened leading to Mrs Portillo's actions, let's not forget we are talking about 5 year olds. To place a 5 year old in front of the class and have each child in the class say what they don't like a bout a student is rather brutal. That is like adding fuel to a fire. You take a child who is challenged with autism and add social issues due to getting slammed by other students. Not to mention what it is teaching the other kids. That it is okay to hurt the feelings of other's because they have no control over their actions due to autism. She should be removed from teaching, whether or not she 'messed up" one time. Think of the lasting impression the kids will have for her one mess up.

[G]

I think it was very wrong for this teacher to get her entire class to 'vote' on a child's status in the classroom. Children naturally adhere to the 'pack' mentality, so this little guy never stood a chance. I think it harms not only the little guy who got 'voted' out of the classroom, but also sets a bad example for the other children -- that it's OK to gang up on someone who sees things differently. I bet that little guy is incredibly bright and emotionally sensitive -- maybe he should have been offered some positive options? How about a smaller class or a gifted class?

Put ESE kids where they belong, get them out of the mainstream class! Why does my child has to put up with all these violent behaviors, and learn from them???? There is something wrong in the system!
ESE kids to institutions, maybe we will have less serial killers!

[Kim]

Yes this mother wants to protect her child. She knows her child is making a mess out of this class. She does not care for the other kids in the class only her own. In most cases sending her child to school is a rest time for her. She has been praying for this day. At home, he is in his room watching TV. No friends to play with so has no skill of that kind. So the rest of the students have to put up with this child six hours a day. Oh well maybe next year they will get a class without him and maybe not another disapline problem child and get to learn something.

With moms like this one:

Put ESE kids where they belong, get them out of the mainstream class! Why does my child has to put up with all these violent behaviors, and learn from them???? There is something wrong in the system!
ESE kids to institutions, maybe we will have less serial killers!

It is a wonder there are so few serial killers.

I'll support vouchers when the teacher gets to decide which parent takes them.

[Houston]

The lesson being taught to these easily influenced children will surely be damaging, that their votes actually contribute to the eventual outcome.

[Tuner]

Next we vote the Illegals out of our classrooms. They don't speak english anyway.

[Hee Haw]

Well, let's not sacrifice the 'education' of 30 other kids for one retarded one.

[snow]

THIS IS THE REALITY OF INCLUSION. The majority of reg ed teachers are --unwilling and unable to teach students with challenging special needs like Autism. No Child Left Behind legally allows these students to be placed in the classroom with VERY LITTLE support because the counties/state refuse (or do not have the money) to pay for the support these students need. I am sure that this teacher probably also had a few learning disabled students (diagnosed or not) in her room as well. How can someone (usually inexperienced in Spec.Ed) manage to teach a whole classroom of multi-ability children, often 1/10 with seriously bad behavior, and be able to handle special needs students, also?
Even with awareness and training it takes a ---uniquely patient, trained person to be able to relate to and teach special ed students. Parents of special ed teachers need to fight for their children to get the educational support that the counties are LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE! Parents also have to be willing to understand when it is in the BEST INTEREST of their child to have them in a self contained special education program, as well.Counties need to stop treating their spec. ed teachers like they are "assistants" by giving them a million students and schedules that make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to provide teaching to their students. Most teachers I know in special ed...end up quitting because they are IGNORED, treated like teacher aides, and frustrated. Maybe someone will see this story and do something about it. I doubt it.

[Me]

Teacher get Bachelor degrees, Masters Degrees, Doctorates, Certifications, etc, but they are educated in the fields that they choose. If they choose not to be a Special Ed teacher, they are not schooled in the art of teaching ESE students. Why then, when mainstreaming a special child, is it the responsibility of the teacher to take MORE classes to learn to teach THIS child. Wouldn’t the more responsible choice be to put this child in a classroom with a teacher who is specifically educated to teach him/her? I am a 7th grade math teacher. I have advanced degrees. I have NOT been formally educated to teach the ESE students that I am teaching. I have learned to adjust my teaching strategies to meet MOST of my students’ needs. I LOVE these kids and more importantly, I they know I love them. They also know that when there is a disruption, THIS teacher is going to take care of it however she can. Whether that be correcting the problem child in front of the class in a VERY stern voice, talking to that child one-on-one, or getting that kids the heck out of the classroom. Ever situation is different. AND being a teacher of many of these ESE kids, don’t even think that this teacher didn’t do everything she could from contacting the parent to discussing the student with the ESE case manager. Many of you are quick to judge, but you have absolutely NO idea what is like to be responsible for 78 to 120 kids each day. Kids who many times not only need to be taught core curriculum, but also need to be taught to respect others, to be responsible, reliable, dependable, honest and all the other character education concepts that should be taught in the home. Maybe if you (collectively) could just once, put yourselves in the shoes of this nations teachers, then maybe you would not be so quick to judge.

[Julia]

Wow.The child is 5.It is kindergarten people. The teacher was completely out of line and out of control. You don't have to have ESE training to know you don't take a Survivor type vote in a kindergarten class. As for those thinking that Aspergers children are violent it is actually quite the opposite. My nephew has Aspergers and is extremely shy, quiet and sensitive. Educate yourselves first please. He also has a much higher IQ than many of his peers, so putting him in a Spec Ed class would be a total waste of his time. Many Aspergers children have gifted level IQs.

The 2 children that voted to keep the boy obviously had more maturity and empathy than the teacher.

[Me]

Again, many of you are comparing your one child example to a full classroom.

[Me]

AMEN snow!!!!

[teacher]

ME is absolutely right, volunteer in a classroom for a week not ONE day a week, and you will change your mind about a teacher's job! Get the FACTS!

[L]

That poor child will be scared for life. Shame on that teacher, where is her commen sense? I dont care how rough situations become, you NEVER call out a child like that.

[sick of it]

ESE or not, if Aspergers is a high functioning Autism, and the kid is functioning, reason why is on the mainstream classroom, shouldn't he be treated the same as the rest? or now they get the "LABEL" to protect the behavior? so which one is it the chicken or the egg?
Seems like now the parent is pulling the strings....give the kid the support and therapy he needs.
True, teacher should have never put the kid on the spot, that is wrong.But that is what is wrong all over, in schools ESE kids are untouchable, they can get away with murder, what about the other kids???
Be honest to yourselves and think about the other students as well. Yes, the situation was not dealt with properly, but that is what our children face everyday in their classrooms, thanks to the legislature. Ask your children!

[Hope]

This teacher made this child a laughing stock in front of his peers!! It sickens me that a teacher would do this to a young child! This child has the right to education and has the right to be mainstreamed!!!! Just because he is autistic does not mean he needs to be placed in a special education classroom. I'm sure he has an IEP, and that IEP should allow him to have an aide, that sits with him in his mainstreamed class. I hate it when people post "what about the rest of the kids, and that kids with special needs only disrupt the class. There are kids that don't have a medical diagnosis,that are disruptive. Maybe people need to look at having a child with special needs in their child's classroom could be a benefit....it may teach other children to be patient, kind, and helpful to their peers, that have special needs. This teacher has taught these young children, to be hateful and intolerant of others.
And to the poster that wrote that ESE students get away with murder..YOU ARE WRONG!!!! I have a child with Down Syndrome who was mistreated by an assistent on the school bus. The mistreatment was witness by my neighbor who was a basic ed student(she was able to ride the ESE bus because her brother was an ESE student). GUESS WHAT...NOTHING was done by the school or even the police!!!
And to the poster who thinks all ESE children should be in an institution and that there will be less serial killers.....Tell me, please, when did you last read of a serial killer who had Down Syndrome, or Cerebal Palsy etc? If you are worried that your child isn't getting the education because of an ESU student then send your child to private school. Yes, I and many others may have to worry about how our children will learn and who will take care of them when we die...BUT many parents will have the worry of drugs and violence. Be careful what you say about people with special needs because you yourself just may have one in your life one day.

[Julia]

Some of the previous posts really sadden me. How intolerant have we all become? Again, it's kindergarten folks. These are 5 year olds. I could understand being upset over misbehavior if we were dealing w/ older kids. Any kindergarten teacher must have a huge amount of patience to teach this age group. If they don't like it, they should teach older grades. Most of you in older generations didn't even go to Kindergarten. If you did, it was half day. So cut a 5 year old some slack people! One of her complaints was he was noisy and hummed. Hardly "serial killer" behavior.

[Timmy!]

We "vote" smokers "out" and everyone applauds.

Why is this tyranny any different?

It is still voting based on behavior "we" deem unacceptable.

[E. May]

I work with autistic children and I don't think many or most of them belong in mainstream classrooms. I don't care if it is kindergarten. I am in my thirties and I don't remember ever having special needs kids in any of my classrooms. Those with severe behavior problems are a disturbance to the class. We need to remember the rights of all the other children in the class who should not be held back or subjected to this nonsense. I think autistic children have their rights too - to be placed in the appropriate classroom where they can be taught and encouraged to function the best they can.

I know my personal limitations as a professional and as a person and for this reason chose to obtain a degree with which I would be teaching basic education students. Many autistic students spend their day screaming, crying, hitting, biting, kicking, etc. I applaud those who can listen to and deal with this all day long because I know I could not do it. Was Mrs. Portillo a person like me who got put in a situation she couldn't handle and tried her best to fix? All of you people bashing her, please go spend a day in an autistic unit in a school. You will quickly run out the door as fast as your feet will carry you.

[Lisa Keys]

As a parent of a 12 year old boy with ADHD and also an ESE teacher for two years working with grades K-2, I was truly touched by the story of this poor little boy, who should have never experienced such a humiliation.

However I do have a lot of questions. What support did this teacher have from her school administration? Was there ever a child study team held? What services were made available to him before it got to this stage? Lack of training is no excuse. There are resources and specialists in the School(or within the school board) that could have been utilized. With the right help autistic children can be managed effectively in the classroom. Don't get me wrong I know from my experiences as an ESE teacher, it was very challenging at times but there is something seriously wrong if educators are driven to such drastic measures as to counting on the votes of other five year olds to determine the fate of a child with a disability.

The bottom line is, it should have never got to this stage. I wish the best for this child and hope he is placed in a classroom environment where his needs are fully met and is given back his educational rights.