Supremes issue their decision in Forest Grove School District v. T.A.

I blogged about this case going before the Supreme Court HERE. The decision was released today, and yes, the school is responsible for reimbursment! Pete Wright writes: Despite a long history of ADHD, severe depression, substance abuse problems, and failing grades, Forest Grove School District determined that T. A. was not eligible for special education services under IDEA, nor for protections under Section 504. As T.A.'s behavior and education continued to spiral out of control, the school offered no help. Finally, his parents placed him in a private school for children with behavioral and emotional problems. In their 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that: ". . . IDEA authorizes [tuition] reimbursement for the cost of private special education services when a school district fails to provide a FAPE and the private-school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the child previously received special education or related services through the public school." (page 16 of the decision) Full opinion here.

Vote OBAMA today! Its an exciting day in Indiana.....

History is being made, and Indiana is part of it. Vote Obama today. Vote for fully funding IDEA. Found this today. Dan knows it! and Dan voting in his primary Dan Drinker Votes for Barack Obama from WDrinker on Vimeo.

Blogging Against Disablism Day, May 1st 2008

I’m gonna go all political on you today, this glorious day of Blogging Against Disablism Day (and for a chance for a first edition copy of GIFTS drop me a comment, see below) Let me ask this. Have you chosen your presidential candidate? Here in Indiana, we get to participate in the Primary vote next Tuesday May 6th. Quite exciting actually. Did you know Obama is the only candidate that is behind Fully Funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA? If you haven’t seen Barack Obama’s plan, then go to BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN TO EMPOWER AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES . Here is his position on Fully Funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Barack Obama has been a strong and consistent advocate for fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Congress promised to shoulder 40 percent of each state’s “excess cost” of educating children with disabilities, but it has never lived up to this obligation. Currently, the federal government provides less than half of the promised funding (17 percent). Children are being shortchanged, and their parents are forced to fight with cash-strapped school districts to get the free and appropriate education the IDEA promises their children. Fully funding IDEA will provide students with disabilities the public education they have a right to, and school districts will be able to provide services without cutting into their general education budgets. In addition to fully funding IDEA, Obama will ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the Act. IDEA reaches every public school. Approximately 12 percent of public school students receive assistance through special education. When IDEA was passed in 1975 the law included a commitment to pay 40 percent of the average per-student cost for every special education student. That commitment has never been met. Congress is currently funding IDEA at less than 18 percent. See the impact on your state of proposals to reduce the federal share. No, I have never voted for a Democrat for President. But if Barack Obama, former Civil Right Attorney, gets there, yes, he will get our vote. And I work for a Republican Attorney General! Yes, that is just how important this election is for fully funding IDEA. Really. Now lets hope we can scrape up enough money to buy gas get to the primary on Tues. May 6th _____________________ Oh and on this wonderous of Blogging Against Disablism Day, May 1st 2008, just leave a little note and I will put the names into a hat and have the Nash man pull out a winner for a fantastical GIFT....the unique first edition of Gifts: How Children with Down syndrome Have Enriched Our Lives Copyright 2006 by Booksurge LLC Winner to be chosen on Mothers Day. yeah, how lucky are you all today? A little politics and a big ol' GIFT.