CURRENT SE NEWS

2/19/10

NCLB Reauthorization - Tell Congress to Protect Kids w/Disabilities

The House Education and Labor Committee yesterday began bipartisan efforts to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the statute formerly known as No Child Left Behind. They will be working to "ensure an excellent education is available to every student in America."

The House Committee has asked stakeholders to send their input, thoughts and suggestions to _eseacomments@mail.house.govmailto:_eseacomments%40mail.house.gov_(http://us.mc364.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=eseacomments@mail.house.gov) . The deadline for comments
is March 26, 2010.

School professionals and administrators often send in comments. Its important that Congress HEAR FROM YOU--even if its just a few sentences.

Congress needs to hear from those who know children with disabilities best (their parents) and those whose professional practices cause them to see a wide breadth of problems, needs, and solutions (advocates, attorneys, and other professionals). Please notify your friends, colleagues, clients, groups,lists, and others.

ESEA/NCLB has been designed to ensure that all children receive a highquality education and that school districts are accountable for the educational progress of all children, with or without disabilities. ESEA/NCLB reform will be completed before IDEA reauthorization is begun.

There are over 7 million children with disabilities and its time that Congress hear about them and their need for a good education. Tell the Committee that improving educational results for children with disabilities is vital to America's policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. That should guide NCLB just as it governs IDEA.

Even if you do not have specific solutions, share the problems that you face and your clients face. Share stories about your clients and children,and how receiving an inadequate education has harmed them. Share general ideas. Do not be afraid to write a single paragraph, a few sentences. What Congress does need to hear is an overwhelming voice about the importance of ensuring that children with disabilities get a good education and that Congress must act to protect them as it works on ESEA/NCLB. They will be hearing plenty of voices on the other side.

Again, you have until March 26, 2010 to send your comments the House Committee on Education and Labor at _eseacomments@mail.house.gov<mailto:_eseacomments%40mail.house.gov>_
(http://us.mc364.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=eseacomments@mail.house.gov) . A series of hearings on NCLB will also begin, starting with one on charter schools next week.

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