By Joe Nathan
Center for School Change

Cindy Lavorato, a Minnesota administrative law judge, recently concluded what many educators know: Sometimes parents can be a huge problem. This was a disappointing case. But as an advocate of family involvement and partnerships with educators, the details Lavorato describes are an important reminder. Sometimes the best ideas can be carried too far. It sounds like thatís what happened in this case, involving a student with major special needs. Lavoratoís decision notes, among other things, that:

* One parent wrote to a person who had been working with her daughter, " If I was your mother, I would be thoroughly ashamed that a cum laude (college name) grad would write such pretentious trash. When and if you decide to have a child, we sincerely hope that she and her parents never have to read something like your ërecord keepingí in their childs (sic) recordsÖyou have no concept of the learning of any potential of any childÖplease stay far, far away from children with disabilities and their families."

* At one point, the studentís mother "yelled at her daughterís physical therapist and told her she didnít want the student working with her any longer."

* The organization that the school had hired to work with three of their special needs students quit because "countless hours have been spent trying to provide service to one child. As a result all three therapists have reported that they have had to neglect the remaining clients on their caseload."

* "Staff felt overwhelmed with parentsí expectations. (A school administrator) noted the voluminous email communication from parents over the course of one school year and part of another; their correspondence filled three ring binders. (The school administrator) estimated that their email communication is ë10 times moreí than what she receives from other parents."

* The school administrator testified that the school staff, some with 12-15 years of experience, have "never had to deal with this kind of situation with parents before."

* "Mediation was suggested, but has been rejected by the parents."

The judge described the schoolís efforts as "extraordinary" and "Herculean".

Ultimately, she ruled that the student should be placed elsewhere.

Yes, this seems like an extreme case. But over the last 35 years, as an educator and a person who works daily with educators, Iíve heard about a few other cases like this.

The vast majority of families are reasonable, and many are eager to work closely and cooperatively with educators.

Sadly, some folks are not. So even though family involvement generally produces enormous benefits, I need to concede this point: sometimes family involvement can - and does go too far.

Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota jnathan@hhh.umn.edu,