Wrightslaw |
The
Special Ed Advocate Newsletter |
|
At Wrightslaw,
our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need
to navigate the confusing world of special education. In this issue,
we look at Section 504, discrimination, damages, and IDEA. Highlights:
IDEA
update & game plan; self-advocacy - know yourself, what you
need, how to get it; help for college kids; damages, discrimination
and Section 504; protecting kids from harassment & bullying
at school; advocacy training in Florida and Virginia. 1. IDEA Update & Game Plan "What
was the outcome on the IDEA Reauthorization vote last week?" "How can I learn the status of H R 1350? Was it passed? Denied? Rewritten?" On
April 30, 2003, the House of Representatives voted 251-171 to
approve H. R. 1350, the Republican bill to reauthorize the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act. Despite
your calls and letters on National Call in Day, many Representatives
said they knew little about H.R. 1350. Hmmm. We
learned that Representatives received a "Dear
Colleague Letter" advising them that they would receive
calls on April 29, that the calls were part of a coordinated effort
to spread false information about the bill and would include incomplete,
misleading, and false info from "opponents of improving the
nation's special education law." For
advice about how to educate Senators and how to frame the debate
about IDEA, read "IDEA
Update & Game Plan." 2. Self-Advocacy: Know Yourself, Know What You Need, Know How to Get It by Nancy Johnson "Self-advocacy
is the ability to understand and effectively communicate one's
needs to other individuals. Learning to become an effective self-advocate
is all about educating the people around you. There are three
steps to becoming an effective self-advocate . . ." 3. Help for College Kids- Flyer from Wrightslaw The transition from high school to college is difficult - and this transition is usually harder for kids with disabilities. Although college students with disabilities are protected from discrimination under Section 504, some professors take a dim view of students who request accommodations. How can you help your college-bound child make a successful transition to college? College-bound students need to learn self-advocacy skills - how to present information about their disability and accommodations so professors want to help. If students master these skills, they are more likely to make a successful transition from high school to college.
Your
Strategy
4. Damages, Discrimination & Section 504 Many
people have questions about damages.
Several courts of appeals have ruled that before bringing a damages
case under Section 504 and/or the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), parents must first exhaust their administrative remedies
under the IDEA. 5. Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crime: A Guide for Schools Many children experience sexual, racial and ethnic harassment at school. Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes: A Guide for Schools provides guidance about protecting students from harassment and violence based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability. Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes: A Guide for Schools was published by the U. S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights and the National Association of Attorneys General and is endorsed by the National School Boards Association. Topics addressed in this comprehensive, step-by-step manual include: * Developing the District's Written Anti-Harassment Policy * Identifying and Responding to Incidents of Harassment * Formal Complaint / Grievance Procedures * Creating a School Climate that Supports Racial, Cultural, and other Forms of Diversity * Addressing Hate Crimes & Conflicts in School and the Community Advocacy
Strategy:
If you are advocating for a child who has been harassed or bullied
at school, download Protecting
Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes: A Guide for Schools.
Make three copies of Protecting
Students - one for you, and two for the school. 6. May Advocacy Training: Jacksonville FL & Roanoke, VA "Before
Boot Camp, special ed was occupying every worry cell in my brain.
Now that I have a road map, I worry less and accomplish more."
- Carolyn from Oklahoma Knowledge is power. When you have information and skills, you will be a more effective advocate for your child. Our role is to help you gain knowledge so you can negotiate with the school on your child's behalf. "I
have never learned so much useful information at a workshop -
thank you for having a heart for kids and the head for the Law."
- Susan from Texas Wrightslaw training programs focus on four areas: special education laws, rights & responsibilities; how to use the bell curve to measure progress & regression; SMART IEPs; and how to use tactics & strategies for effective advocacy. "I
attended your Boot Camp with two coworkers. We learned SO MUCH
in those two days! Your books could not be more helpful to anyone
who works with special education students." - Christie
from Kansas We are now booking programs for 2004. To learn how you can bring Pete & Pam Wright to your community, please read our FAQs about Seminars. 7. Subscription & Contact Info The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Subscribers receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books. Contact Info Pete
and Pam Wright |