In This Issue . . .

• IDEA Fairness Restoration Act
• Call to Action,
  July 9!
  
• Sign the Petition Today!
• Analysis of Arlington v. Murphy
• Wrightslaw Training

Circulation: 71,829
ISSN: 1538-320

School districts can use tax dollars to employ and pay for psychologists and other technical experts. 

Few parents can afford the thousands of dollars needed to pay for expert testimony that is necessary to prevail in IDEA due process hearings and litigation. Parents have fewer resources and yet must bear a greater financial burden.

Please call your Congressional Representative on Thursday, July 9. Ask him or her to co-sponsor the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, H.R. 2740.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate you'll find out why the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act is so important, how it impacts families, and what you can do to call-in, sign-on and support H.R.2740.

Please don't hesitate to forward this issue to other friends, families, or colleagues. Ask them to take action too!

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Why is the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act so Important?

The IDEA Fairness Restoration Act will override the Supreme Court's decision in Arlington Central School District v. Murphy (2006). It will allow parents who prevail in due process or litigation to be reimbursed for their expert witness fees.

When prevailing parents cannot recover expert costs, the playing field is neither level nor fair, and children are denied a free appropriate public education and other fundamental IDEA rights.

Call on July 9 and tell your Congressperson to ...  

Sign the Petition and Support the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act!

Find out how you can support this Act. Individuals and Organizations can Sign-On!

Over 100 organizations have signed COPAA's petition in support of the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, H.R. 2740.

Let’s tell Congress that we support this bill and want it passed! More and more parents find that they cannot protect their children’s rights because they cannot afford it. Sign Now!

Analysis of Arlington v. Murphy by Pete Wright

After Pete attended oral argument in Arlington v. Murphy on April 19, 2006, he wrote, "After listening to oral argument, it was my sense that the Supreme Court will decide that the word 'costs' does not include reimbursement for expert witness fees."

Read Pete's description of oral argument and his prediction of a 5-4 or 6-3 vote.

The history of this case and links to the briefs filed with the U. S. Supreme Court are available on the Arlington v. Murphy page.

Special Education Law & Advocacy Training

Spokane, WA: July 16. Some spaces are still available. Don't miss out, register today!

Florida: Wrightslaw Training is being offered at no cost by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. Parents, families, and guardians of Florida students will be given priority registration.

August 5: Weston (Spanish language translation available)

August 7: Tampa (ASL interpretation available)

August 10: Gainesville

August 12: Chipley

Check out these four cities and dates in August.

If you know others who may be interested in attending one of these programs, please forward this information to them.

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