What We Need: A Parent – Student Advocacy Union!
We need a new organization in New Jersey that can work to build unity and convergence between diverse special education families across the state. The organization would be membership dues and donation funded, would not seek state funding nor 501C3 incorporation and would not be allied with any school district, the NJ Board of Education or the Department of Education. In so doing, it would maintain independence and full political rights, much like the teachers unions, the directors associations, other professional associations and school board coalitions that are on the other side of issues affecting parent and student rights.
What about existing organizations?
There are many excellent organizations in the state and across the country that work on behalf of our children and on our behalf. Most such groups are 501C3 non-profit organizations or state funded. Most of the organizations in NJ have not taken up the issue of how IDEIA 2004 is implemented even though the overwhelming majority of special education parents support, for example, the points of the petition drive. Those that have taken up the issue are limited in what they can do by their legal definition and funding source.
There are also many local parent groups that provide excellent support services and educational programming. However, many such groups given their connection to the local school district are unable to take independent positions on issues such as how state regulations are implemented and also how local special education issues are handled.
What would be the posture toward other organizations?
The goal would be to converge with other organizations around political questions that face special education parents as much as possible. However, there could be actions that we could take of a political nature that some of those organizations, either due to their funding source or their legal definition, would not be able to partake in.
Would you have to quit other groups to join this one?
Not at all! It could be that the other groups provide important services, educational support and individual advocacy, due to their resource and knowledge base that a parents union would not be able to provide. At the same time, given its independence and lack of political restrictions that come with state funding and 501C3 definition, a parent’s union could wage a political effort on behalf of our special education children.
How would it make decisions?
The organization would need to develop a democratic decision making body based upon organization membership, possibly including local chapters and regular statewide meetings.
Would local chapters have local autonomy?
The ideal would be for local chapters that can agree to the statements of purpose of the statewide body could determine how best to address their concerns at the local district or county level as long as it was consistent with the general purposes of the statewide body.
Could this work in NJ?
The idea probably can work. Whether or not it will work depends upon whether there are enough parents and guardians to volunteer to initiate such an effort and many other factors. Given the issues we are facing with disregard for our children’s rights by the Department of Education, this idea is at least worthy of our consideration.
If you might be interested in such a proposal, contact:
The New Jersey Student Advocate, PO Box 1214,
Belle Mead, NJ 08502 908-881-5275
Advocate@StudentAdvocate-NJ.org
/
http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org
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