TESTIMONY TO STATE BOARD HEARING ON REVISIONS TO
STATE CODE
JANUARY 18, 2006
By Bob Witanek, Editor of The Student Advocate Website http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org and The New Jersey Student Advocate newspaper and Coordinator of the Thousands for Stronger Special Education Protections Petition Drive
PO Box 1214, Belle Mead, New Jersey 08502 * 908-881-5275 * Fax: 908-281-7873 * Advocate@StudentAdvocate-NJ.org
Good Evening. I am Bob Witanek, editor of the Student Advocate Website, coordinator of the Thousands for Stronger Special Education Protections for petition drive, and editor of The New Jersey Student Advocate newspaper.
I object to the following
board actions:
1. Failure to hold regional hearings in northern and southern NJ as urged by
many on December 21.
2. Cutting off registration 5 days in advance of this hearing.
3. Holding the hearing in separate tiny rooms. The full board should assemble
in a room that holds hundreds.
4. The registration phone number was down for at least 75 minutes during office
hours last Friday, the last date of registration.
These actions limit a democratic and collaborative process. The hearing process must be overhauled.
This board has been presented with a petition signed by 2000. The support among parents of special education students is broad based. 90 – 95% of parents of special education children who are asked sign on. It is a mistake to underestimate the power of this statement and the unity behind it. The petition is only the beginning of an organizing drive within our community.
This petition is not emotional – it is a clear demand on behalf of thousands of special education parents. We are demanding that the following be kept in place: short term objectives, mid-year progress reports, pre IDEIA 2004 manifest determination protections, stay put provisions, current rules for IEP meeting participation, 14 as age for transition services. We oppose 3-year IEP plans, forced state mediation prior to due process, statute of limitation on a student’s legal right to hold a district legally accountable, the lengthening of the time for which a student can be removed to an alternative educational setting and the reduction in frequency of notification of a parent’s rights.
What action is the state taking to eliminate rampant racial disparities in special education? The weakening of parental and student rights will only exacerbate these disparities. Such steps are unconscionable.
For us parents, we need to begin to understand the political mechanisms behind these changes both in Washington DC and right here in Trenton. We are far outgunned by lobbyists for directors associations, school board coalitions, teachers unions, professional associations and the like. The good groups that fight for our children are 501C3 non-profs and state funded agencies. They do their best but their definition prevents them from overt political activities due to the funding source of such organizations and agencies. On the other hand, the associations which lobby against our rights do not wear those political handcuffs. The Abramoff scandal in Washington DC provides a window in just how the game is played that brings us into this room today.
We need to build some new parent organizations, a parent’s union. We need an organization that is not beholden to state funding nor to restrictive 501C3 rules – an organization independent from the school districts. We need an organization that can use the same political tools that are currently being wielded against our most vulnerable children with disabilities in Washington DC and right here in Trenton.
However this board rules on the issues outlined in the petition – it will define the terms of our future efforts. Should it heed our concerns, it will demonstrate for us the efficacy of a unified effort. Should it turn its back on our children, we can learn a lesson in the politics of special education – it will help us define the parameters of the next steps for our effort.
Never for a moment underestimate our power should we become organized, unified and engaged in a continuing effort on behalf of the rights of our children. This effort must include our children – they need to learn to carry this struggle forward for they are the ones who ultimately will deal with the results of our efforts. The future of our children demands nothing less of us.
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