Clark Graham has always been a “no-BS” kind of a guy. In the Chuukese culture, he is very forward in his approach. Sometimes, he could even come off as arrogant. But that’s just how the 82-year-old Graham rolls. And, his method has helped get things done for the kids of Chuuk.
For instance, in the past Graham has complained on social media against Chuuk and the Federated States of Micronesian that they haven’t complied with the United States regulations regarding the Special Education Program. Chikin Melele newspaper picks up the story and starts to poke around. Chuuk finally contacted Graham’s school and got the ball rolling.
“Second week of April, (this year),” Graham said about Chuuk Special-Ed contacting their school.
The principal of Akoyikoyi School (the school that Graham is associated with) was notified that Special-Ed was going to come to the school to meet with parents and children.
“This should mark the beginning of assessments,” he added. “It’s wonderful news!”
And, hopefully, he also said, we will get to see the department, the school, and parents working together to begin the task of providing assessments and services to these children.
Things now are moving in the right direction, for now, it seems.
Technically, Graham was not aware of such needs—special education and the like—until it was staring him in the face at Akoyikoyi School.
When he and his family first opened the doors of the school to the parents, all of his own children—graduates of Xavier high school in the next village over, the late Keitani Graham, Curtis Graham and Kimberly Graham—all had a hand in getting the school set-up from the ground up. A lot of parents were very excited, and asked Clark Graham if the school could take their kids, too… some of them disabled.
It was actually his oldest son, the late Keitani who wanted a school for the children of his village…”so they can make something of themselves.” And Clark was not about to dash the hopes of the villagers, the parents. Unfortunately, though, Keitani passed without ever seeing his dream come true.
Keitani’s siblings—Curtis and Kimberly—operate the school to this day.
Anyway, when the parents came to Clark, he took them all in with their kids and all the possibilities—including learning disabilities. The more he looked into special education, the more he learned. Then, autism materialized on his doorsteps also.
Now, Clark is making Chuuk’s special education problem his problem… he really would like to see all special needs kids taken care of in FSM, in Chuuk, and, ultimately, at his Akoyikoyi school.
When he began sounding the alarm, local leaders grew weary of him in the social media space, and sort of ignored him hoping he’d go away. But he was not. In fact, he grew even more vigilant and persistent.
And the accusations against FSM and Chuuk kept piled up, unfortunately; and he has been saying them for years! Yet, no one comes forward to refute his claims.
“I’m not trying to create any trouble,” he had said matter-of-factly. “I just wanted all of us to work together. The important thing is, to move forward positively for the benefit of those with disabilities.”
Clark had said he would like to see FSM and Chuuk pay strict adherence to
special education rules and regulations.
“I want individuals with disabilities to receive the services they are entitled to receive according to the law,” Graham also said. “An example is Child Find. It is a basic right (of the disabled child) that is required by law. It is to be provided for ALL children. And this is not happening in Chuuk.”
Not all school kids, anyway, in the lagoon and outside of the lagoon, the outer islands. Child Find literally goes out and finds children to see who needs help, according to their website,
“All public K-12 schools have evaluation systems,” stated the website. “Also, all states (within the U.S., and by extension those using their programs) have early intervention programs to serve infants and toddlers who haven’t started school. There are also referrals for kids in foster care or juvenile justice who may need help.”
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At a glance:
Under federal law, public schools must look for, find, and evaluate kids who need special education.
This is called Child Find, and it covers kids from birth through age 21.
It applies to ALL kids, including those who are homeschooled or in private schools, plus kids who are migrants or without homes.
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Clark also said the same program identified those migrant children as Child Find recipients who may have immigration issues as well.
Clark’s is now based in Gresham, Oregon. But his focus is still on his school, Akoyikoyi, back in Chuuk.
In Chuukese, Ansina Kony, Special-Ed Coordinator for Chuuk, responded by saying that what Clark saying is simply not true.
“He is just making it up!” she said. “There is a Child Find every year in the schools, including private schools. And, there is a wheelchair (accessibility also). You can come, if you want, and find out for yourself.”
She said she’d really like to see this piece to “continue… so you can really bring out the facts. You know, I am just tired of Clark. He keeps accusing Special-Ed wherever he goes.”
“If the DOE and Special-Ed people do something, I would like to acknowledge it,” Clark said. “As I have said numerous times, my goal is to get service for the children.”
He also does not hold a grudge, he said.
“I would want to acknowledge anything they do. I believe it is important to work together.”
Clark also said the Director of FSM Special-Ed, Arthur Albert, simply lies.
“(Albert) said recently that they conducted a Child Find in Chuuk,” said Clark. “But they didn’t.”
If Akoyikoyi School, the villages of Peniesele, Penia and Sapuk were not part of that Child Find; then they only did half, or a fraction of Chuuk. The way they did Child Find violated the law, he also said.
If they conducted Child Find, they would look for every special needs kids, from birth to 21 years of age.
“They cannot define ‘Child Find’ any other way, but in English,” Clark also said. “Because FSM and Chuuk get their money from the US, and are required to comply with all laws (IDEA, 504, ADA, and FSM & Chuuk Laws) — but they do NOT follow the laws.”
Clark also said, as we have seen in Chuuk during the recent election (February 4, courtesy of social media), laws are violated when leaders think they can get away with it.
“Even CEDDARS (Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service) at University of Guam — the primary trainer and support for FSM and Chuuk — their claims don’t reflect the true numbers in the region.”
CEDDARS director did not return calls left with their people.
The former peace corps volunteer’s journey with his school’s Special-Ed needs all started about 12 years ago with Akoyikoyil. A K-8 charter-type school in Chuuk state, FSM. The school is in the heart of his village of Penia, Weno… all on its own. No other school in Chuuk is like it.
On Dec 4, 2023, Graham invited an Autism, Speech and Disabilities specialist from Down-Under to come up to the school. Ms. Tanya Govey was able to see “provide badly needed services to parents and children with disabilities. Her visit and work were made possible by funding provided by SHIP-HOOPS INC & Akoyikoyi School.
“During her visit, Ms. Govey
observed Akoyikoyi’s inclusive classes, conducted assessments, with Akoyikoyi parent permission; held workshops for Akoyikoyi teachers & aides, and…
“Specialist Govey also worked with the general public, offering assessments & observations of any children brought to see her, provided advice to parents,
held workshops for Chuukese parents.
“A special thanks to Ms. Govey for coming to Chuuk to provide these services.”
Now, it’s been three years since Chuuk passed a Chuuk Disability Act (2022).
“Some public buildings, like Chuuk High School for example, do not have access for those in need.”
There are Chuukese youth who cannot attend school, Chuukese who cannot go to see someone at an office because they have a disability and continue to wait for the law to be enforced, Clark also said.
Now, there is a Chuuk Disability Act. But what exactly is it?
According to an article posted on 17 May 2022 at the Pacific Community,
‘Influencing legal frameworks to promote the rights of people with disabilities’: “On 8 February 2022, Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia passed the Chuuk State Disability Act, which aims to provide accessible services to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
“The Act mandates the Governor’s office to oversee its implementation.”
The Office of the Gov. did not return messages left on their page.
But the Act was passed. And it was advertised as something to help Chuukese kids with physical disabilities. Everyone was happy.
Or, are they?
Who and when will this law be enforced?
See, the Gov. of Chuuk. He is, ultimately, the key. He’s the big kahuna who has the ability to make things happen.
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