Which High Schools are including students with Down syndrome respectfully into General Education classrooms?

Where are the best High Schools for students with Down syndrome Included nicely? What kind of High School is everyone happy with? Public or Private schools? Homeschooling? Is the McKay or PLSA Scholarship Funds being used instead? (PLSA-Personal Learning Scholarship Account)

What is the current trend for students with Down syndrome  for an inclusive High School experience? 

I am looking ahead and don't see much positive inclusive Public High Schools around where I live, we may have to relocate. 💔 We live in South Florida, the Fort Lauderdale area and inclusion is a long drawn out ugly fight here in Broward County Public Schools! Wish inclusion was the norm, but it's not here.

High School parents....need to hear what's the real deal going on out there across the Country and here in Florida.

💛💙💛

Need to hear from High School families on how is inclusion is really working out, especially with the new rule of the Standard Diploma for students with disabilities.

💛💙💛

A REAL High School Diploma ~ Now we're Talking!!

*Click on Photo above to enlarge photo.

SB 850 2014 ~ Florida

STANDARD DIPLOMA for Students with Disabilities!!!!!!!! 

Now maybe it's safe to go back to Public Education! 

*BTW ~ THANK YOU to EVERYONE that has Advocated Hard On The Steps 4 CHANGE!!! Today there is New Progress with the MIND-SET & LAWS in the EDUCATION BUSINESS pertaining to our many Students with UNIQUE ABILITIES and their RIGHT TO EARN A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA!!!

THANK YOU FLORIDA ADVOCATES!!

Nancy Linley-Harris 

August 8th, 2014 

Here is the link to the PDF Doc. that explains about SB 850 Click highlighted link below here:

http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-7134/dps-2014-136.pdf

Nancy's doing the HaPpY Dance...the HaPpY Dance!!!

Can't wait to see how IEP meetings DO THINGS NOW!!!! Maybe it's Safe to have Mariah Elizabeth attend a Broward County Public Schools again?? Nahhhhhh not yet!! We're having too much Fun doing things OUR WAY right now! Not ready to go thru the IEP Process again....yet.

God Bless everyone during your 2014-2015 school year IEP meetings! 

This is BIG CHANGE to the Mindset and maybe the attitude of some, I hope so anyway. I know a few people that should now be BLUSHING IN SHAME for the way many of our students have been shamefully NOT Educated to Learn & Earn a REAL High School Diploma! I know that's all I have ever thought my children would Graduate with! 

Dreams really do come true folks!!

SB 850 The year of the "PLSA's" ~ Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts & No More WORTHLESS High School Diplomas!

Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts

~The money is going to go to Parents who have REJECTED FAPE??? 
Are you kidding me? 
What most Parents of Students with Disabilities want IS FAPE!! Parents prepare as best they can to go to IEP meetings prepared to help their Child get the Support & Services they know their Child needs, then the FIGHT BEGINS!!! Parents have to learn how to Advocate and do a quick-study to be almost like a lawyer for their child at what begins the gut wrenching IEP meetings. Expecting and hoping to just get a well written IEP that MAKES SENSE!! Especially for our Children with the most significant learning challenges.

I WOULD NEVER REJECT A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION for my Children!!!...but the District can FIGHT ME TOOTH AND NAIL at every meeting! Just t FIGHT ME in Due Process, State Complaints and OCR Complaints and say that these Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts will be going to those Parents that REJECTED FAPE at their Public School. 

Public Education for ESE across the State should stop playing the absolute pure nonsense games and trickery that goes on at too many "THE IEP TEAM" Meetings. Schools need to provide Parents and the students rights to IDEA....without so much fighting and fussin and going to court over...oh goodness this stuff makes me angry!

As an Advocate for 12 years, listening to way too many phone calls from hurt and frustrated parents calling to tell me what was or wasn't happening to their child and what is going on at their child's school

What happened to me personally, as a parent wanting to help my daughter get a good education.~
~ I didn't reject FAPE!!! 
~ I rejected the LOW EXPECTATIONS from staff and teachers at her new Middle School.
~ I rejected the BAD PLACEMENT the school wanted for my child.
~ I rejected the idea of EXCLUDING her from ever sitting in General Education Classroom again. 
~ I rejected DENYING her right to her STEM Class, which they all knew was her FAVORITE CLASS!
~ I rejected the schools out-dated practices.
~ I rejected the IEP TEAM that seemed to have the Districts Blessings to PUSH & BULLY me thru 10 IEP meeings in a 7 month time span! 
~ I rejected their idea to FORCE my child off receiving a Standard Diploma at Graduation!
~ I rejected the STRESS it was causing to our entire family.
~ I rejected the hurt it caused to my daughter.
~ I rejected the PURE NONSENSE and the unfriendly staff that was out to TAKE AWAY from my daughter's education.

It's really sad when families feel they are being forced out of the Public School System and "FAPE", because IDEA is NOT always provided! So if it's not being provided anyway...if a family decides to homeschool or enroll in a Private school, what are they walking away from...really? The McKay Scholarship has been a GIFT for us to find a school where we felt welcomed and my children feels VALUED & RESPECTED!

There are schools that provide a RICH QUALITY EDUCATION that provides for the Whole Child and that includes the Family too! Making families feel welcomed and including them in educational decisions shouldn't have to be a fight.  

If we hadn't filed for our INTENT to use the McKay Funds during a certain time period then the PLSA/Personal Learning Scholarship Account would be available. Not all Parents can access the McKay Funds for whatever reason. So the PLSA's are going to help those children.

Parents want to TRUST Schools & Teachers to do the right things and provide IDEA at the very least. 

Quoted from: 
JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, TIMES STAFF WRITER
Blog: The Gradebook

Special education advocates offer different perspective on Florida voucher plan.

"However, on the last day, many of the terms recommended by CEES that had been included in the vastly different versions of this voucher bill for the entire Session evaporated in one amendment placed on a totally different bill. The new bill (SB 850) would greatly benefit some parents and students while potentially injuring the ability for others to receive the services they deserve and leading to predictable fraud and abuse. A total of $18.4 million was allocated to provide these new services, primarily to students whose parents had already rejected receiving FAPE through their public schools. More than six times the “new” money was allocated for these vouchers than was provided as an increase for the ESE Guaranteed Allocation."

http://www.tampabay.com/resources/documents
The organization had other concerns, not often heard, on issues including funding, diplomas and testing.~ Read the full summary here./2014/06/Final_CEES_2014_Session_Report__3_.pdf

SESSION OVERVIEW
http://www.tampabay.com/resources/documents/2014/06/Final_CEES_2014_Session_Report__3_.pdf

FL Gov. Rick Scott signs into law Personal Learning Accounts ~ THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!

FL Gov. Rick Scott signs school choice expansion bill 

Good move Florida Gov. Rick Scott!! Because of signing into law SB 850, more families will now have the option to send their children to Private schools, especially when things aren't always going so well at Public schools.

Click the link below to read a really well explained news article pertaining to the new Senate Bill 850.
http://www.redefinedonline.org/2014/06/scott-signs-school-choice-legislation/

Florida Establishes Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts ~ Governor Scott Signs Bill Giving Families More Choices for Students with Special Needs - Read more at: 
http://excelined.org/news/8855/#sthash.bED1wbCW.dpuf

From ~ Florida Politics Blog
After daylong standoff, Legislature sends Gov. Rick Scott a school-voucher expansion
By Aaron Deslatte
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
May 2, 2014

Senator Gardiner like our family, is raising a child with Down syndrome. For our children to be successful in life, a good education is a must! Sen.Gardiner said, 
"(SB 850) that also creates "personal learning accounts" for special-needs students and abolishes "special diplomas" -- a priority of incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, who has said the diplomas are worthless and wants universities to instead work to develop better technical training.

"That's pretty important to me," Gardiner said.

Thank you, Senator Gardiner for standing up for what should already be for our Children with Down syndrome and students with UNIQUE ABILITIES! YES!!! This is such an important Law for so many people!! 

http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2014/jun/19/nan-rich/vouchers-take-3-billion-out-public-schools-nan-ric/

What IS Common Core? Do you know? ~ Now Called Different Names = Mean the Same

Brilliant anti-Common Core Speech by Dr. Duke Pesta




NGA
ICCR

What would qualify Governers to rewrite education?

Inspire Inclusion By Dr. Julie Causton ~ VIDEO #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education

Inspire Inclusion

Video #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education Dr. Julie Causton 

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/video-2-legal-aspects-of-inclusive-education/ HERE

IDEA Supplementary Aides & Services Check List to take to IEP meetings! HERE

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/checklist_full.pdf HERE

I am thankful for and inspired to share with you one of the Top Experts in supporting Inclusion for ALL students into neighborhood schools & classrooms they would attend if they didn't have a disability! ~ Dr. Julie Causton

Her Video's and website are JAMMED PACKED with the tools needed to Advocate for our Children to be provided an Inclusive Education. Sign up to receive more useful resources Dr. Julie Causton provides!

This is the Meat & Potatoes!!!!
Have a Great Day!
Pass it on!! 

Nancy and Mariah
321 Fun ~ Mariah's Life!

Special Education is Not a Place: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act By Lily Clausen, Isabel Frye and Chloe Marsh Junior Division

Special Education is Not a Place
U.S. Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/21/2014 11:21 AM EDT

Special Education is Not a Place: 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
By Lily Clausen, Isabel Frye and Chloe Marsh
Junior Division

This website was created by 3, seventh graders. 
Pass this GREAT RESOURCE on to others! I think they did an absolutely fantastic job on their project!

http://65454531.nhd.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/7/8/25788665/process_paper.pdf

http://65454531.nhd.weebly.com/

Is this the SB 1108 Parent Signature for DIPLOMA OPTION that Parents have to sign YES or NO?

Appendix C
Florida Department of Education 
Parental Consent Form/Prior Written Notice 
Instruction in the State Standards Access Points Curriculum and 
Florida Alternate Assessment Administration

SB 1108 Parent Signs off on DIPLOMA OPTION click here
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/PDF/ParentConsent%20FAA_AccessPoints_Eng.pdf

Customize your Child's Special Education with Florida Personal Learning Accounts SB 5103

CS/SB 5103 
This Bill takes effect July 1st, 2014

Students with Disabilities; Establishes Florida Personal Learning Account Program to enable parents of students with disabilities to customize their child's education using wide range of instructional services; provides student eligibility, responsibilities for program participation, administration & funding of Florida Personal Learning Accounts, & DOE, nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, & school district obligations.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/5103/ByVersion

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/5103/Analyses/h5103a.EDAS.PDF

PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS!
Down syndrome, Autism, Occupational Therapy, Medical Services, TUTORING, EDUCATIONAL CHOICES, Academic Services, Private Schooling. Thinking of HOMESCHOOLING? Are you already HOMESCHOOLING? Annual Evaluation, Educational Progress, HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY for how the Funds are spent! Cross Referenced with APD. Cross over with the McKay Funds. 

Watch and Hear some HEROIC MOMS provide PUBLIC TESTIMONY! 
Julie Kleffel ROCKED the House!! 
The Bill Passed!! 

This is GREAT NEWS that will mean FINANCIAL HELP to many parents raising Children with Special Needs!

*PASS IT ON SO THOSE INTERESTED KNOW ABOUT THIS EXCITING NEW BILL*
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=2443575804_2014031151&committeeID=2711 
CLICK HERE to view WARRIOR MOMS ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CHILDRENS' EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNTS.

Where's the Advocate today?

BENSON HaPpY!!! Priceless!!!

BENSON HaPpY!!! Priceless!!!!!!

Awe Mommie!!!! I am so HaPpY for Benson and You!!! This is what has been needed for so long for Benson......SUPPORT!!!! 

Thank you Community!!

Tis the Season for Filing State Complaints & Going to Due Process in Florida.

Close to the end of another the school year is in the air! This is when I hear about a few Due Process & State Complaints being filed during this time of year.

My phone is ringing with pleading parents wanting to know what to do now, because they are concerned and fed up with a situation that's been going on for too long now at their Child's school. Some are concerned their child isn't being provided therapies during FCAT time, and other basic violations to IDEA.

I have been getting a few phone calls pertaining to Occupational Therapy and it has been taken away from their child at school and parents don't know what to do. 

Wondering what to do about a situation that needs to change at school? 

Now is the time to know what the Procedural Safeguards are and to finally DO SOMETHING about it! 

My Best Advice to you is: 
FILE!!! Just Do It & FILE!

Google your State Dept. of Education and look up and read all about what is a "Due Process" and/or "How to File a State Complaint". 

Filing is a learning experience and it's a learning process. Don't be afraid of filing for a Due Process or a State Complaint if you know your Child's Rights and their IEP is being Violated.

SURVEY ~ PT & OT ~ ESE Services in Florida Public Schools

Take the Florida PT & OT Survey! 
PT & OT ~ ESE Services in Florida Public Schools

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3DW85N7 
Click here to take survey

Share and Pass this survey on! 
Post it to your FB page and let others know about it.

Thank you,

DS Advocate
http://www.dsadvocate.com/

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ~ Student with Down syndrome found dead in the 'schools backyard' pond!

RIP Jenny!!!! Your Drowning on a Middle School Campus will not be in vain. Your Drowning in the 'pond' out in the backyard of your school will hopefully help lead the way to ACCOUNTABILITY for the SAFETY & WELL BEING OF ALL CHILDREN and TRAINING of all school staff! Prayers to your family, friends, classmates and teachers today! Click below highlighted link to the Tampa Bay News article:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/school-in-shock-after-riverview-girls-drowning/1257915

I have written several blog posts about Jenny Caballero since her drowning this last year, because Jenny represents students with Down syndrome and Students with Disabilities across the entire State of Florida! TRAINING must take place to keep our children SAFE! 
http://www.ds-advocate.blogspot.com/2013/09/jennifer-caballero-you-drowning-in-pond.html

Parents upset at common core forum's 4PM start time

Parents upset at common core forum's start time
Well at least the State of Florida Department of Education held 3 PUBLIC COMMENT FORUMS across the entire State. 
(*click on highlighted link to play video)

The PUBLIC COMMENT Forum held in Broward County was scheduled at 5PM till 8PM I believe. There were 111 Speakers SIGNED UP to provide PUBLIC COMMENT and our Commissioner of Florida Department of Education stayed till the very last speaker spoke! That was till about 11PM that night! I have to say she was concerned to hear from ALL OF US THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK and I appreciate that. I would have liked to see more than just 3 Public Comment Forums held around the State so that some people didn't have to drive from 4 hours away to attend after a full day of working as one Florida school teacher did.



I know this video is about 'what time' of the day (4PM-6PM) the public comment meeting was being held in Albany, New York. The person in the video said, she feels it's like they really DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY by the time that it was set for and with only 3 days notice!!!

I have seen over the years...this is how they do things. Short notice, not enough of the meetings being held across the State so people don't have to travel hours to get to a meeting. 

People ~ Educate yourselves on exactly what this COMMON CORE that's being talked about like a wildfire out of control!! It's like a Choo Choo Chooooo Train that is coming to town, so get out of the way!! Coming to a Town near you!!

In FLORIDA ~ Here is a GREAT RESOURCE FACEBOOK PAGE to help educate yourselves on all the hoopla-la on Common Core and why we need to:
STOP COMMON CORE IN FLORIDA!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Common-Core-in-Florida/516780045031362

I VOTED 4 You! ~ School Board Security Guard told me I wasn't allowed to attend the meeting you held today.

Dear School Board Member for the district/area I live in,

I've been thinking about a situation that happened to me today. This morning I actually had the spare-time to volunteer of my time to attend. I want you to know that when I was greeted by my first name before I was even to the School Board Security Desk this morning, it surprised me. I was there inquiring about the meeting you were having, at first the security guard said what meeting? ...and then said, "I wasn't allowed to attend that meeting." 

She was told, to not allow me access to your meeting.

I voted for you, yet I am not allowed to sit in on a new ESE work-group you've been putting together...not just as a "listener only". Why? 

School Board Member, I VOTED for you and I told my friends to VOTE 4 You too! 

Is it because I REFUSE to give up My Membership and My Voting Rights to the Broward ESE Advisory for Parents in order to be allowed access to your next ESE Work group? 

Why would I turn my back on a group I've attended and have been an active part of for so long? You want members to give up their Membership, ultimately giving up My Voting Rights to our school districts parent led ESE Advisory for the past 13 YEARS!? 

Over the years, my daughter has almost always attended with me, beginning when she was just 2 years old. She was so young, she wasn't even ENROLLED in any Broward Public school yet. Together my daughter and I found ESE Family Support at those ESE Advisory meetings. School Board Member, my daughter has been attending all those meetings along side with me for the past 13 years too...it's been OUR SUPPORT all these years!! 

Today is her 15th Birthday! She announced it at the end of the meeting! *She loves an opportunity to 'self advocate' or public speak. She was so incredibly happy to stand up and announce to the whole room that it would be her 15th Birthday today!

WOW!!! So I VOTE 4 You...yet you won't allow me to attend an ESE Work group you're putting together? Bet you know I have a daughter with Down syndrome and I LIVE in your District. I am one of your district/area families...yes I am one of your constituents in your District! 

I'm not sure what's to be gained or WHO will gain from your 'selective' work group. By only allowing certain people...and 2 of them don't LIVE in 'the neighborhood' even. 

Thought the creation of your work-group meetings was about pulling together your area families and creating a 'ESE Work Group' for and families from the district or area of Broward County that you represent. 

I Voted for you...and you barred me from being a Parent Volunteer to which you were seeking ESE Parents to sit on a New ESE Work group you have put together.

Signed,

Disappointed 4 sure! 

Public vs. Private vs. Charter Schools ~ Great Schools website

Public vs. private vs. charter schools
http://www.greatschools.org/school-choice/6987-public-private-charter-schools.gs?page=3

Cute little Video & some good posts in the "comments" after the video. 
In the world of school choice, private schools are a viable option (even when you think it's not).
http://www.greatschools.org/school-choice/private-schools/7068-private-schools-video.gs

Jennifer Caballero ~ You drowning in the pond behind Rogers Middle School last October 2012 in Riverview, Florida will not be in vain!

Jennifer Caballero ~ You drowning in the pond behind Rogers Middle School last October 2012 in Riverview, Florida will not be in vain! Your beautiful LIFE was for a reason! God doesn't make mistakes! Was it to help get EVERYONE TALKING about ESE "ISSUES" ~ which are many throughout the entire State of Florida. Will your tragic and senseless drowning around this time last year, will it make better changes at how students like you are TREATED IN SCHOOL? Will your death help with getting QUALITY TRAINING for those hired to work as ESE 1:1 Para Professional Aides? I HOPE SO!! 

Jennifer Caballero ~ thinking of you and your family today!! Prayers to your mom & dad!!!

Oct 23, 2012 ... RIVERVIEW — An 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome who ... Jennifer Caballero, who went by Jenny and whose mother held her in her arms...http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/girl-with-down-syndrome-found-dead-near-riverview-school/1257809 Click to read full story.

Oct 24, 2012 ... RIVERVIEW Jennifer Caballero hid under the bleachers, away from her ... A teacher saw Jennifer — an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome ...
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/school-in-shock-after-riverview-girls-drowning/1257915 
Click to read full story.

I live in Broward and if Hillsborough County Public Schools runs like Broward Public School District, you can bet NOBODY "downtown" wants to be accountable for actions that could and should have prevented the death of Jennifer, a little girl with Down syndrome. 

Are schools with WATER nearby....are the FENCES checked on a regular basis? I don't care what school district, what matters is the SAFETY OF ALL STUDENTS no matter what!!

I too am a parent to a wonderful daughter with Down syndrome and I know first hand that the support of a GOOD 1:1 Para "Professional" is everything!! TRAINING is everything when it comes to staff working with students with a disability, most are not trained or even 'collaborating' with the parents, who KNOW everything about the student they are HIRED to work with 5 days a week! ~ EVERYONE IS AT FAULT for Jenny's death! 

If the good character of the Brand New Assistant Principal, Mr. Livingston is what they are trying to point out, I can support that and all that he was overseeing...if it's true about his 'requests or CONCERNS' for things that needed to be done. Absolutely the DISTRICT Adminstrators and the different departments, the maintenance department that oversee that ALL the schools are SAFE!! That would include MAKING SURE FENCES SURROUNDING PONDS are secure and able to prevent children from DROWNING in those ponds that are within feet of the schools. Over the SUMMER Break....wouldn't it be safe to say that such SAFETY CHECKS would be ongoing without the school building Assistant Principal needing to even put in a 'request' for a full inspection of the campus for SAFETY of ALL STUDENTS! 

What is wrong with this that everyone wants to blame or ruin the full and future career of this one man, if he if found to be of good character and WAS CONCERNED with 'things' on his new campus. I would like to know more about Mr. Livingston as a leader and his background pertaining to ESE students, he sounds like her was chosen for his new position because he was what Rogers Middle School needed! 

I would like to know why the heck any and all 1:1 Para Professional Aides are not doing their jobs with caring for the individuals they are hired and receiving a pay check each week to KEEP SAFE and like Mr. Livingston said, ...."the aides need to be ENGAGED with their students"......absolutely....the teacher should have demanded that the ESE Aides DO THEIR JOBS of working with the students they were assigned to work with! 

Mr. Livingston, I am sorry you are caught in the crossfire when those that work "downtown" should be on the stand with you and held accountable for so many things, training of the Aides, fences being in good repair, teachers making sure the ESE Aides are ENGAGING with the student they are assigned to keep safe!!! 

The Building Maintenance department...what do their logs and records have about the repairs needed at that school to keep ALL STUDENTS SAFE?!!! 

Jennifer Caballero ~ Your death will not be forgotten or in vain! Because of your senseless drowning out behind your new Middle School...I am praying that ESE students like you are treated with RESPECT and Educated with School Staff that ENGAGE with their student and that all Public School Employees make sure to keep all students safe!

Listed below are a few news articles;

Aug 6, 2013 ... The assistant principal of Rodgers Middle School, fired in the aftermath of the death of a special-needs student, was before the Hillsborough ...
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/rodgers-middle-school-firing-is-revisited/2135022

Gov. Scott to sign bill that improves special needs education, allows ...
Jun 28, 2013 ... Gov. Rick Scott is set to sign a bill making big changes to the way special education is run in Florida.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/gov-scott-to-sign-bill-that-improves-special-needs-education-allows-parents-to-be-more-involved

"Mariah speaks" ~ Before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013.

Mariah speaking before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013. M_07_23_2013 Her speech although unclear, was provided in writing to the Superintendent and all the School Board members so they knew what she spoke about at the podium. 

Mariah speaking before the School board over the Summer was something she wanted to do....by herself, without me standing next to her. She and I discussed what should she talk about if she was no longer a Broward County Public School Student. I withdrew Mariah from Public education in Broward before the school year ended on May 24th, 2013.

I didn't give up on Public Education... 

...Broward Public Education 

GAVE UP ON MARIAH!!

Although I filed a State Complaint pertaining to her school holding an illegal 10th IEP ~ 4 days after she had been withdrawn from attending Broward schools and was no longer a Student in this district. Naturally, I lost the State Complaint.....enough is enough of the games this school district and the State has put me thru in my trying to secure a 'real education' for my daughter, Mariah. 

This video provided by BeconTV is the entire July 23th, 2013 School Board Meeting. The Pubic Speakers begins on the Video at 143:00 with School board Chair, Laurie Rich-Livenstein opening the meeting for Public comment. Mariah is called as the first Public Speaker. To see the beginning of where Mariah starts go to 144:00 on the Video. I speak just after Mariah at 148:50 on the Video. 

It is worth a watch to see the other Public Speakers at this Summer Broward County School Board Meeting.

I am so proud my daughter wants to SPEAK OUT and become a Public Speaker. What she has to say is worth hearing. 

Written below is Mariah's actual July 23rd, 2013 Speech she spoke before Broward School Board meeting.

Hi !!

*Pause & SMILE

My name is Mariah Harris, I am 14 years old and in the 6th Grade.

I am in the Nova  U-Na-Ver-ciTy  School of the ARTS Drama Camp. I am a dancer, singer, actress and will be in the Disney MULAN show August second. I have teachers and helpers that support and BELIEVE IN ME! Want to come see me on the stage at the EP-STEEN Center?

I went to Horse Camp for 2 weeks and had a lot of FUN! FIRE is the name of my horse. I met new friends that liked me and BELIEVED IN ME at the Ranch!

I am on the SWIM TEAM at River Land Pool. Back Stroke is my best stroke. I Like doing Free Style and I'm learning the Butterfly. I love going to Swim practice every day! My Coaches BELIEVE IN ME!

I love going to the Movies and Cooking.

I am having a Great Summer.

I need people to BELIEVE IN ME and see that I CAN do it!

Do not JUDGE me because I have Down syndrome!

I am Mariah Harris, I love school and I'm a good student!

I have always been fully IN-CLUDed with an adult to help me.

BELIEVE IN and IN-CLUDE more students with Down syndrome in all of our schools!!

Have a good day!

Thank you very much.

SMILE

Mariah Harris

321funlife@gmail.com

"Mariah speaks" ~ Before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013.

Florida ESE in 2013...Remember ~ Racial Segregation of Schools particularly in the South between 1955-1968

Florida ESE in 2013...Remember ~ Racial Segregation of Schools particularly in the South between 1955-1968. 

This Archived News Clip is worthy of watching to see the similarities with our exceptional student education (ESE) population of students today.

*The CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Principal ~ We need more Principals like him! 

*So many awesome people that spoke out back then! True Civil Rights ADVOCATES!