Princeton Packet Letters, 5/13/2005
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14519612&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425702&rfi=6
Fight efforts to weaken special education laws
To the editor:
It is time for special education families, relatives, friends, advocates and
other supporters to organize and converge to protect our rights, which are being
whittled away.
IDEIA 2004 is the federal revision to special education law that allows
states to weaken rights of — and support for — special education students and
parents. States with stronger law in areas where the federal law allows
weakening can opt to keep the laws stronger. The good news is that special
education families and allies across New Jersey are joining together to call
upon the Department of Education, acting Gov. Codey and state legislators to
stand with our children by foregoing the most offensive changes.
Part of the effort is being coordinated from the Student Advocate Web site,
http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org, where a petition drive has already garnered
support from over 600 NewJersey residents. The petition calls upon New Jersey to
hold the line on 11 points that are important to special education students and
their families:
1) Elimination of short term objectives;
2) The changing of an IEP period from one year to three years;
3) Regular education teachers would no longer need to attend IEP meetings;
4) Midterm assessments of progress toward objectives can be eliminated.
5) Stay-put provisions prohibiting unilateral district placement change while
an issue is in dispute can be eliminated;
6) Manifest determination rules can be weakened, making it easier to suspend
or expel a child with a behavioral disability;
7) Increasing the time for which a child can be removed to an "alternative
learning environment";
8) Decreasing the frequency parents must be notified of their rights;
9) Imposing a statute of limitations for holding a district legally
accountable;
10) Imposing a state-run resolution meeting on due-process procedures; and
11) Increasing the age for transition service from 14 to 16.
If you are concerned about these issues, visit the Student Advocate Web site
to sign the petition and learn of other efforts around the issue. You can get
more information by calling (908) 881-5275. The Web site provides tips on
letter-writing and other actions you can take. While the petition has been
launched by A Parents Initiative for Every Child's Education, it is being
supported by organizations and individuals throughout New Jersey. You can learn
more about the issue and this effort at a meeting 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26,
at Mary Jacobs Library, 64 Washington St., Rocky Hill.
In New Jersey, there are 225,000 special education students. There are
between 300,000 and 400,000 parents of such children. Add in our relatives,
advocates and other supporters and we could represent a million voters. Imagine
if we converge our efforts and resources. We can prevent the weakening of these
laws that are so vital to the survival and realization of the full potential of
our children.
Bob Witanek
Griggstown Road
Montgomery
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