But what have you done for me lately?
by Arthur Luger, Ph.D.
The new presidency is definitely a change from the prior administration, no matter what your political views are!
President Obama has stated that education and moving our country forward into the 21st Century (definitely entwined) are important goals of his administration. President Obama named Arne Duncan, former Superintendent of Public Schools in Chicago, as Secretary of Education. Secretary Duncan is an educator with strong academic credentials.
But his record while the Chicago superintendent on special education was not exemplary. It wasn't that he disliked or disapproved of special education. It is said that special education was not on his radar!
Congressional sentiment toward special education is strong and positive, based on funding ongoing efforts. When the stimulus package and other legislation relevant to special education come to the President's desk, it is especially important that we communicate our support and interest in the process.
We must communicate with our elected officials to educate them as to the needs of the special education community. This means contacting our legislators, the White House and other elected and appointed officials to voice our needs.
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Compromise Reached on Stimulus Package |
School Modernization Reportedly Back
Sources indicate that the Senate-passed Stimulus Package which completely removed the funds for school modernization has been restored to a compromise of $9 billion.
Other sources report that the IDEA has been funded to a compromise value of $11.7 billion.
New York State would be a major beneficiary of educational funds, receiving approximately $760 per pupil, among the highest in the country.
The federal Department of Education, having a budget of $60 billion in FY 2008 is projected to have a budget of $135 billion in FY 2009 and $146 billion in FY 2010.
New Era in Federal Education Spending
The bill would, for the first time, involve the federal government in a significant fashion in the building and renovation of schools, which has been the responsibility of states and districts. It includes $20 billion for school renovation and modernization, with $14 billion for elementary and secondary schools and $6 billion for higher education. It also includes tax provisions under which the federal government would pay the interest on construction bonds issued by school districts.
Your Share of the Pie
This website has the information on the districtwide distribution of funds:
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SLA Plans Workshop on Selecting a Residential Placement |
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Renowned expert in school and residential placements John Powers will be presenting a workshop on 'How to Select a Residential Placement for your Child'.
Mr. Powers has been consulting for over 25 years to families who are thinking of, or in the process of, a residential placement for their child.
The date and time(s) of the workshop are still fluid but we are looking at a March timeframe. The workshop will be held in the SLA Conference Center, Suite 303, 155 West 72nd Street, NYC.
Keep an eye on future newsletters and on Upcoming Events at the SLA website:
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GAO Asked to Examine Use of Peanuts in School Lunches |
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has be asked to expand an ongoing investigation into the safety of foods in the National School Lunch Program. The GAO, which started its investigation with last year's beef recall, has been asked to expand the investigation to include peanut products.
School cafeterias received peanuts associated with the widespread salmonella outbreak and the requested inquiry would represent the first independent government investigation in the effects of the salmonella outbreak on schoolchildren.
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End Notes
Special education is the orphan child of the politico-educational process.
Politicians mouth their support and still special ed is the first victim of the budget axe. Witness Governor Paterson's and Mayor Bloomberg's dooms day budgets. Our fingers are cross that the federal stimulus package that passes both houses and is signed by President Obama still contains the special ed monies (see above article).
Appointed officials treat parents requesting tuition reimbursement and/or services as though the parents were lepers. And they do so with impunity! The State Review Office (which is supposed to be neutral to parent-school district special ed disputes) has been called corrupt by the press, and is allegedly in collusion with the State Education Department. I am attending a COPAA convention in a few weeks and the hottest topic to be discussed by the New York caucus is SRO Paul Kelly and how to counteract his venomous, biased behavior.
This Newsletter is intended to inform parents of, and professionals who work with, special education needs children of legislative, medical, educational and social facets of the special ed process.
Sincerely,
Susan Luger
Susan Luger Associates, Inc.
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| Setting Standards for Residential Programs |
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HR 911 Would Establish National and State Standards for Teen Residential Programs
The US House of Representatives is taking action on a GAO report of abuse and neglect at residential programs, and questionable marketing practices and discrepancies in state licensing standards for such programs.
HR 911 orders the Department of Health and Human Resources to establish minimum standards for:
child abuse and neglect are prohibited
disciplinary techniques to be strictly limited
physical restraints and seclusion to be severely limited
mental abuse to be prohibited
training, vetting and full disclosure
regarding adult employees and volunteers
The list of standards to be established further include parental disclosure of prescribed medications that the child is taking; notification of parents when abuse is believed to have occurred.
The bill passed the House Committee on Education and Labor by a vote of 32-11 on Feb. 11th. It is next due for a full House vote. |
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