Upload
cori-scott
View
216
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Advocating for Children with Special Needs:
National PTA Legislative Conference 2015
Lindsay E. Jones, Esq.
Director, Policy & Advocacy1
Today’s AGENDA
• ESEA • Opportunities• Threats
• IDEA• Hot Topics
• 3rd Grade Reading, CBE
2
3
Through Your Child’s Eyes
9
It would be a game changer for policy to embrace the notion that these kids learn differently, not less than. - Michael Yudin, U.S. Department of Education
10
11
Perception Problem
12
13
said, ‘‘Hey, this kid's a good speaker. He can't focus, but he loves walking around and
getting people energized.” No one said, ‘‘Get him a coach in speaking."
-Cameron Herold, ADHD
In grade two, I won a city-wide speaking competition, but nobody ever
Entrepreneur/Self Advocates:
14
15
16
OSEP Letter on RTI
17
ESEA / NCLB
18
ESEA is Important because most SWD spend the full day in General Education
19
Important Improvement
20
Important Improvement
21
• When schools are held accountable for the performance of SWD, they are more likely to:• Deliberately move SWD from self-
contained settings to regular education classrooms.
• Provide 2-3 hours/day of extra instruction in reading and math for students with disabilities.
• Have access to co-teaching (general and special educators)
NCEE Report (Feb 2015)
22
Opportunities & Threats
23
Opportunities & Threats
24
It’s a misperception that students with learning and attention issues can’t do well. We should have high expectations for these kids, too.
- Laura, Mother of 9th Grader with Dyslexia (and in advanced Math) from Maryland
25
The Empowering Parents & Students Through Information Act S.528 introduced by Senator Casey (PA) would ensure that parents are actively involved in the decision for their child to be assessed using an AA-AAS. Parents must give informed consent and be made fully aware of how taking the AA-AAS will impact their child’s future.
Alternative Assessment Bills
26
The Every Child Counts Act 2.516 introduced by Senator Murphy (CT) would ensure that students with disabilities are not pushed into alternative assessments simply to boost school scores by providing a cap on the number of students who can take these tests. This would ensure students are included in the general curriculum as much as possible and parents have information about how their kids are doing.
Questions?
27
IDEA
28
IDEA: Transition
29
30
2014 Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship Recipient
31
• “The hardest part of my • journey with LD hasn’t been• the tests or even the grades. It’s been the
low expectations for kids who learn differently. …the truth is that this struggle has made me stronger. I’m ready to take on anything! – Kaila Hatton
Twice Exceptional Students
32
• According to a literature review by the WV Department of Education, teachers were less willing to refer a student with gifted characteristics for gifted education if they were told the student had a learning disability.
• Students who receive IDEA services make up 12% of all high school students but only 2% of students enrolled in an AP course.
• On February 12th, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act, H.R. 927.
• This would require limiting restraint and seclusion to imminent threats of physical danger; same-day parental notification; ban dangerous restraints; and implement training on prevention.
Restraint & Seclusion
33
• HELP committee member Senator Casey will be releasing the Keep Kids in School Act which aims to reduce suspensions and expulsions in schools.
• He also recently introduced the Prepare All Kids Act (March 4th, 2015).
Discipline and Restorative Justice
34
Questions?
35
New Hot Issues
36
• 3rd Grade Reading Laws
• Competency Based Education (CBE) – Personalized Learning
37
38
39
Questions?
40
CBE
41
42
43
Questions?
44
On to the Hill!!!
45
Rand Paul’s 11th Hour Amendment
46
47
48