Contacting Governor Paterson
by Arthur Luger, Ph.D.
This Newsletter is late for several reasons -- the holidays falling out to give us a long weekend, the avalanche of work that hit after that long weekend, and also a curious case of attempting to contact Governor Paterson. I wanted to find out (realistically from an aide) what the Governor's position is on the Commission for Property Tax Relief's hopes to cripple Special Education. So I called the Governor: the number is on his website: 518-474-8390.
I told the operator that I wanted to speak to someone about the Governor's view on the Commission's recommendations for Special Education. The operator transferred my call to the State Education Department. When I told them what I wanted, they transferred to the Special Education Division. That person said that I should call the Governor and gave me his number. Guess what? The same number I originally dialed.
Your taxes at work! This scenario may be familiar to parents trying to contact school officials.
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| Combating Autism in the U.S.A. |
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Government statistics indicate that one in 150 children have an autism spectrum disorder. (In some geographic regions, it is estimated that its 1 in 100). This is the country's fastest-growing developmental disability. The cause(s) of autism are still undetermined but, as reported in a NY Times article of Jan. 13, 2009, there are several dramatically polarized camps of thought.
The incoming Obama administration is interested in funding a multiagency approach to combat autism and to accommodate those afflicted, carrying forward earlier intiatives.
In 2006, the Combating Autism Act provided $1 billion over 5 years for research, screening, interventions and education. The Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act provides $83 million in this fiscal year for treatments, interventions and services.
Priorities for these programs include educating professionals to diagnose and treat autism. It is significant to note that some initiatives include collaboration with childcare providers, teachers and educational staff, as they are the frontline observers of children's behavior and interaction.
The Autism Society of America estimates that autism costs are now $90 billion this year in the U.S., including related educational spending, research, therapeutic services, insurance costs, and transportation. |
| First SLA Workshop a Great Success |
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SLA's first workshop, on Special Needs Trusts (SNT), was held on January 14th and 20th, featuring renowned SNT expert Stuart Flaum (Stuart.Flaum@axa-advisors.com).
Mr. Flaum and his team explained the nature and needs of the SNT, how to organize it, its benefits, how to put together a team to ensure success.
The relevance of the topic and success of the presentation have SLA convinced that we will be asking Mr. Flaum for an encore workshop in the Fall, 2009. |
| District Court to Hear Case of Bullying of Autistic Boy |
An autistic young man and his parents have sued the Tukwila School District of Washington state, claiming the district failed to act against unrelenting bullying.
In the complaint, the former student says years of bullying pushed him to suicidal thoughts. Court documents show repeated unsuccessful attempts by his parents to get the district to take action against the bullies.
The school district ignored parents' complaints and its own experts who warned that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress and an anxiety disorder because of the bullying.
The family is seeking damages.
The full story can be read at seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/395003_tukwila07.html.
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We at Susan Luger Associates believe that the best way to achieve optimal outcomes for children with special education needs is to communicate, network, increase awareness of our needs to the general public and to our elected officials, and to make certain that appointed officials are fair and impartial.
This Newsletter is intended to help promote these outcomes for children with special education needs.
Sincerely,
Susan Luger
Susan Luger Associates, Inc.
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| Supreme Court considers another private placement case |
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School Districts Continue Their Quest to Limit Access to Private School
The Supreme Court will hear the Forest Grove Sch. Dist v. T.A., a case from Oregon (mentioned in an earlier SLA Newletter).
This case would give the Court an opportunity to decide what Congress meant in 1997 when it described at least one scenario under which parents could be reimbursed for the private education of a student with disabilities.
In 2007, the Court was deadlocked in a similar case, leaving the Circuits without a consolidated decision. This is extremely important to parents receiving reimbursement for private school placement.
We will continue to track this case as it works its way through the Supreme Court. |
| New Stimulus Proposal includes $13 Billion for IDEA |
| House Democrats and key Republicans propose boosting federal IDEA funding to 27% |
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Newly installed Education Secretary Arne Duncan has pledged the increased funding for the IDEA of $13 Billion which boosts funding to 27%.
Democrats and key Republicans are in favor of a 40% funding of special education.
More details are available at:
specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com.
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| Share this Newsletter with your friends and colleagues by forwarding this email to them. |
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| If you learn of any newsworthy item related to Special Education, contact us with the information. |
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