Children & Youth Action Network
(CAN) Reports

David Bateman, chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Division for Learning Disabilities, provides brief reports for TeachingLD.org so that visitors can keep informed about important developments in policies affecting students with learning disabilities and their teachers. (Reports prior to 1 July 2008 were submitted by Judy B. Engelhard in her capacity as chair of the committee.)

February 2010

President Obama recently submitted his 2010 budget to Congress.  CEC has provided a detailed description of how this effects special education.  It also includes a description of how it would effect funding for gifted education in the Jacob Javits program.

http://cecblog.typepad.com/policy/2010/02/the-presidents-budget-request-a-look-at-idea-and-javits.html

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill on the exclusion and restraint of students with disabilities.  The Division for Learning Disabilities helped advocate for its passage through its work with the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities.

http://cecblog.typepad.com/policy/2010/02/house-committee-passes-restraint-and-seclusion-bill.html

As Congress is gearing up for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind), there is considerable discussion about alternative assessments and who can be counted as a part of determining Annual Yearly Progress.  CEC has their take on this:

http://cecblog.typepad.com/policy/2010/01/report-on-growth-models-highlights-the-difficulties-states-have-including-alternative-assessment-sco.html

Recently, Alexa Posny, Assistant Secretary of Education for the Office of Special Education and Related Services, gave a series of interviews to a special education blog.  It is in eleven parts and goes into great detail about her attitudes regarding much of what will be happening in Washington over the next several years.  The blog can be found at:

http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/alexa-posny-interview-index-of-posts.html

GET INVOLVED AND SIGN-UP TO RECEIVE POLICY UPDATES

If you have specific recommendations related to policy or legislative issues that you wish DLD to consider, we welcome you to use TeachingLD’s contact form at http://www.teachingld.org/contact/default.htm and link to “content issues” in the drop down menu.

Use this same form to receive weekly updates from the CEC Policy & Advocacy Unit. Please put “public policy” in the subject line. For specific recommendations, it is helpful if you provide examples that illustrate how students with learning disabilities or their teachers are affected. You are encouraged to get involved by visiting the CEC Legislative Action Center and write your members of Congress on special education issues.

David Bateman DLD Public Policy Committee Chair http://www.teachingld.org/can_reports/