Action | Revisions to comply with the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004” and its federal implementing regulations. |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 6/30/2008 |
I find it unbelievably sad that I should have to take my time away from my severely disabled child with autism and my family in order to defend my parental rights and have to oppose an organization (VDOE) who should be my best friend in life. It has taken me weeks in between my daily life responsibilities to review the regulations and the various position papers, and after reviewing everything I am completely overwhelmed by the changes. Honestly, I feel like I am frozen, crushed by the magnitude and the force of the tension and bad feelings that these changes promote between educators and parents of special needs kids. The proposed changes are such an affront that I can hardly find my voice. And I question whether my words even matter and whether I actually still have a voice. VDOE, isn't it your mandate to help children with special needs and their parents? Don’t you know that parental involvment is the key to good outcomes for children? Aren’t we all on the same team? Don't you know how hard are lives are as parents of special needs children?
Katherine Williams, parent