will we even have Special Education in a few years? We are seeing a great threat to Special Education in our state and country. As state and local governments look for ways to cut back spending, reduce deficits, one of the first targets is Special Education. Why? Because Special Education is costly. The cost for Special Education - transportation, equipment, insurance, staffing - is more than for non-disabled students. The temptation to "save" money by cutting Spec. Ed. programs will grow. For parents of Spec. Ed. students it is VERY important that you...
....fight to make sure your child gets every service in his/her IEP;
....do not allow the school district to reduce, downsize, or "streamline" services to your child;
....attend ANY meeting your school district has about "budget issues", "program/service cuts". Fight against anything that would lessen Spec. Ed. services.
....ask for help. EQUIP FOR EQUALITY offers very good assistance to parents of Spec. Ed. students. Go to: contactus@equipforequality.org, 800-537-2632v. For parents of deaf children, contact the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission: www.idhhc.state.il.us, 1-877-455-3323v/tty.
If parents, teachers, and advocates do not pay attention to what is going on with Special Education, ESPECIALLY in CHICAGO (CPS) and nearby suburbs, we will see a terrible loss of services for our children.