When Should Public Schools Pay for Private Schools for Special Needs Students?

The Supreme Court will look at this question and just what providing a "free and appropriate education" means, the Washington Post reports. Per usual, no specific discussion of transportation in this well worth reading article, but one can imagine the cost of transportation would add to the lengthy bill of service.

Tips for First IEP Meeting

Today Special Needs Bliss offers its tips for parents attending their first IEP meeting. Nothing too shocking here. The list recommends parents make sure all parties are in attendance, write down any questions, know their rights and "not feel bad about having to stand up for your child's rights."

This will be an ongoing question for Special Needs Rides, but what do you see as the essential tips for transporters attending their first IEP meeting?

Also online this week:

• The Notebook argues Pennsylvania needs a new funding system for educating students with disabilities.
• Two takes on changes coming to special needs schools in New Jersey's Cumberland county.
  
• And a one-of-a-kind Autism program in Delaware draws praise, but faces challenges.
  

What Are Your Emergency Plans for Special Needs Riders and More Headlines

• We've already talked a bit about how you can prepare for evacuations and emergencies. But have you considered the evacuation needs of your special needs riders? Several elements of Santa Rosa County, Fla., government are working together to better care for special needs residents in emergencies. A computerized mapping system will replace a semi-manual paper system to provide valuable data. How could your department incorporate computerized records for its emergency preparedness?
• On the data collection note, Louisiana Department of Education received a $4 million grant to improve its information systems. Part of that means creating "three new, stand-alone data systems for the purpose of tracking homeless students, students with disabilities and critical student performance measures."
  
• School choice can mean more busing. In an op-ed, the Utica Observer Dispatch argues privately-run charter schools, including special needs schools, offer better choices for all. "No business or institution worth its salt should fear competition. Instead, public school educators should view charter schools as an opportunity to strengthen their own approaches and programs," the piece argues.
  
• The Austin Statesman looks at a program that mainstreams special needs students that is at risk of closing. Loud arguing about the value of this sort of program and taxation follows below in the comment section.
  
• A Tribute to Teachers and Paraprofessionals of Students with Special Needs. This poem's for you.

Special Needs Headlines: DC to OK to UK

• Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spells out preferred use of education stimulus aid. Here for program-specific guidelines.
  
• A North Carolina special needs department explains its budget woes.
• Educators in England call for change to special needs policy.
• An Oklahoma bill would require more expedient IEP-evaluations.

Monday Headlines

• Texas looks at voucher bill for students with disabilities. The vouchers would allow students with documented disabilities to attend pubic schools in other districts or private schools.
• Transporting Special Needs Children? It’s EZ with the Roosevelt
• Mother of child shaken by care-worker fights to raise awareness. According to one group, 1,200 to 1,400 babies are hurt or killed due to shaking each year.
  

Closed Schools, Lessons For Parents, the 'R' Word and More

• New Jersey parents of children with special needs don't want their schools with declining enrollment closed in an effort to cut costs.
• A Virginia non-profit helps parents understand their children's emotional and mental special needs.
  
• The Alliance for Disability Awareness says no more to the 'R' word
• Florida police chief offers database of all community members with special needs. File designed to help first-responders to include photo, special need, contact person, home address, type of special need, special instructions.
  
• Special Needs Alliance, a non-profit collective of disability and public benefits attorneys, welcomes new honorary member.
  

Tuesday Headlines: Ancient Special Needs, California Laws, First Dose of Stimulus

• Ancient man cared for "special needs" children, new study finds.
  
• California considers measures that "close the service gap for children with special needs."
• Schools start receiving their first stimulus funds.