ABLE Newspaper: Parents Concerned About IDEA Reauthorization
In an excellent
article, the relatively new NJ based newspaper NJ Able Newspaper provided strong
support for the IDEIA 2004 petition drive and other advocacy efforts on behalf
of children with disabilities in NJ. While the website was provided
incorrectly, so we did not get a jump in signers from the article, it was a
strong level of support for our efforts. Particularly warming is the opening
line that compares our plight and the plight of our children to Jim Crow laws.
Read it and enjoy. To subscribe to the newspaper, click
http://ablenews.com and then the SUBSCRIPTION button at the bottom of the
page. And to get to the petition – go here:
http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org . Letters of support can be sent to Marianne
Valls c/o
contact_us@ablenews.com . (The web reference to the petition drive website
is corrected in the retype of the article below.)
(The SPAN website was given incorrectly as well – it is corrected below.)
NJ ABLE: IDEIA 2004 Letter Published!
Volume 1 Number 3 June 2005, Page 9
http://ablenews.com
Parents Concerned About IDEA Reauthorization
By Marianne Vallis
Unfortunately, it appears that Jim Crow laws are alive and well for
children with special needs. Three decades after the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed, the 2004 version version of the reauthorization of the act passed by Congress has parents of students with disabilities in NJ concerned. So concerned, that state advocates and organizations like the A Parents’ Initiative for Every Child’s Education (APIECE) have drafted a petition citing numerous objections to the new regulations.
The purpose of the petition is to “stand in agreement to maintain strong New Jersey Special Education Law.” It calls for “New Jersey to, at the very least, hold the line to the pre-December 2004 revisions, and if changes are made to elevate New Jersey’s education of all by strengthening the rights of students with special needs and their families.” The petition is located on The Student Advocate Website, http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org .
The petition cites 11 objections to the IDEA Reauthorization Act of 2004. Among these objections are the elimination of short-term goals, the possible selection of New Jersey to become a pilot state for multi-year (IEP) changes, in the way discipline matters are handled and the maintaining of “stay put” measures.”
According to APIECE, “New Jersey Special Education Director Barbara Gantwerk senta letter to all the school districts asking for feedback on IDEA 2994, as to how it should be implemented.: Members of APIECE feel that the opinion of advocacy groups such as theirs should also be consulted. However, according to Diana Autin, a representative of Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), Gantwerk intends “to maintain at least some of the protects that we have in our state code that go beyond the federal law.”
Although SPAN did not initiate the Petition 2004, the organization supports it. Autin said “Any activities that are aimed at letting parents express their opinions about the changes to IDEA is a good thing.”
SPAN has developed an online survey that asks parents of youngsters with special needs for their input concerning the changes that occur under the reauthorization. Most of the issues that are covered in the survey are also mentioned in the petition. SPAN also urges families and other interested parties to contact their state officials about their views relating to these educational changes. SPAN’s website is http://SPANNJ.org .
Sue Gottesman is in charge of legislative activity for the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. She feels that the Petition 2004 dovetails nicely with the Council’s philosophy on special education. Although the Council “may focus on some other items rather than others or might have a different approach in how things are phrased or what is sought, but the list hits the items that disabilities advocates have concerns about regarding the IDEA.
Gottesman especially liked the fact that the petition’s website called for individual letters to be written when one agreed with the petition.
Besides the parents of youngsters with disabilities, educators, students, professionals and others interested in the cause of educating children with disabilities are encouraged to sign the petition. In addition to Petition 2004, there will be workshops on Reauthorization 2004 and public hearings will be held where testimony will be takedn to be presented to State Special Education Officials.
Ask the Advocate
NJ Complaint Form (MS Word)
(PDF)
On Line Public Hearing on IDEIA 2004
Survey on NJ OSEP Complaint
Process
Past Activities
IEP Wkshp
Rec. Programs for
those w/ Disabilities
An Evening of Educational Advocacy
September 8, 2005 Edison, NJ
What The Student Advocate Has Done for Our Children
Lately . . .
NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee
Minutes of IDEIA 2004 meeting on Thu., May
26
Student Rights Radio
Discussion, October 31
Effort to
Reach Gubernatorial Hopefuls and Acting Governor / Candidates
IDEA: An Update
Dec. 5, 2005
Middletown
January 18,
2006: Hold a Candle Light for Our Children's Rights
50 Strong For Our
Children
No. Jersey Radio Interview Aired, 1/22
Petitioning for Rights Children: Legal in Princeton
Interview on NJ IDEIA Rights
- Racial Disparities in Sp-Ed
Call
is Heard in Montgomery Twp: Inclusive Recreation
NJSAU Minutes 2/18/2006
Playing and Singing for
Our Rights, 4/1/6
Better IDEA Laws for Special Education
Students?
Better IEPs? Anything is Possible!
April
1 Report: Student Advocacy Union - Fundraising Concert
Mobilization for Rights
of Our Children, May 17, 2006, Trenton
Nationwide Internet Radio Rally for Sp-Ed Parent Rights
9pm EST, Sat. May 20
Parents’ Rally @ Statehouse in Trenton Thursday, June 8, 2006
Piscataway Parents Mtg, June 19, 2006