This poem is about a student who was returned to Line

(his home school) from the pilot inclusion program.

IN THE MAIN-STREAM  I  WAS DROWNING

    For your tv viewing,
    We are interviewing
    George, a former grad of
    Diff’rent schools in SAD of
    Number fifty seven—
    Right now, live from heaven…
    Would you start relating
    ‘bout your educating?

 In my year in kindergarten,
As my schooling was just starting,
We were learning just by doing,
Like in singing, drawing, gluing.
We would hear and dictate stories;
We could share in others’ glories
During special show-and-tell times.
We all surely had some swell times.
With my teacher’s quick assistance
There was only minor distance
‘tween what I could do and they did.
I can still recall the day, Sid,
When my school days were beginning:
Things were fine, and I was Grinning. 

    Surely an elixir.
    Just what happened next, sir?

 It was harder than I’d reckoned,
In the grades of first and second.
All the others were succeeding
In the mastery of reading.
I alas could do no better
Than identify a letter.
While the others learned the facts in
Addition and subtraction,
I just counted to a number.
I was feeling I was dumber,
So I more and more was frowning…
In the main-stream I was drowning.