Acknowledging that sometimes he feels more like a babysitter than a teacher, Mr. Griffen said some of the regular-education teachers occasionally ask him why he is unable to do more with his students. They don't understand what it takes. Hillsborough County school officials in Tampa, Fla., recently persuaded a federal judge to remove an autistic student from Jenna L. Hodgens's class at Chamberlain High School. Ms. Hodgens has spent 11 years in special education, working with severely emotionally disturbed students. According to officials, the student hit Ms. Hodgens and other school staff members and punched classmates on numerous occasions.
Nobody goes to a job expecting to be hit.
When Jimmy first started in her son Dallin's class, she said, she was looking forward to having her son learn about diversity.