PARENTS MUST HAVE THEIR SAY IN SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS' EDUCATION ~ Orlando Sentinel by Natalie Gozer / Guest Colunist

PARENTS MUST HAVE THEIR SAY IN SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS' EDUCATION

Thursday, April 25, 2013
View Source Article - Orlando Sentinel 

Parents must have their say in special-needs kids' education
Orlando Sentinel 

By Natalie Gozar | Guest columnist
April 25, 2013

"As the law stands, if parents disagree with their child's IEP team's decision, their only recourse is to take the school district to court. In my case, court was not an option due to financial restrictions.

New legislation is working to change this. Among the provisions in House Bill 465 and Senate Bill 1108, moms and dads would be involved in crucial decisions affecting their son or daughter with a disability, including helping to decide whether their special-needs student will be placed on an alternative curriculum track or a special diploma track.

This legislation, which counts among its sponsors Rep. Jason Brodeur and Sen. Andy Gardiner, would ensure parents are involved in deciding whether their child will be placed in an exceptional student education center. It would also ensure every Florida teacher is trained and prepared to help every student — especially those with disabilities — learn to their full capability.

I am excited to see Florida on the verge of becoming the first state in the nation to ensure parents are informed and empowered to play their critical role in developing their child's Individual Educational Plan.

And I applaud Florida lawmakers for bringing this issue forward this legislative session."

Natalie Gozar lives in Casselberry.

Copyright © 2013, Orlando Sentinel

Opinion: Parents must have their say in special-needs kids' education
http://www.afloridapromise.org/News/2013/Opinion_Parents_must_have_their_say_in_special_needs_kids_education.aspx

Empowering Parents

Each mom and dad deserves the right to be informed and engaged in important decisions regarding their child’s education. Parents must be equipped with the necessary tools to make informed choices.

Parents’ Rights: 
Exceptional Student Education

The Foundation for Florida’s Future supports policy that:

1. Ensures parents are involved in crucial decisions affecting their son or daughter with a disability.
2. Ensures all teachers have the proper training to meet the unique needs of all of their students – especially those with disabilities.
3. Ensures school districts strategically involve parents.

http://www.afloridapromise.org/Pages/Agenda_2013/Empowering_Parents.aspx

To read the entire article from A Florida Promise website click link below:
http://www.afloridapromise.org/News/2013/Opinion_Parents_must_have_their_say_in_special_needs_kids_education.aspx

Mariah Harris testifies before the Florida Senate Educational Committee

Proposed education bill reported favorably out of Fla. Senate committee

See Mariah speaking before the Senate Education Committee 3.18.13 
~ Go to 21:07 - 22:57 on the video to see Mariah and the other members of ESE Reform Taskforce of S. Florida. ~

http://thefloridachannel.org/video/program-201311/

Mariah and I testified before the Florida Senate Education Committee in support of SB 1108. We traveled with the newly formed 45 day old, ESE Reform Taskforce of S. Florida group. A group of parents that drove from South Florida to testify and tell our IEP and Special Education stories to our State Senators on behalf of Senate Bill 1108. 

Mariah Harris, a 6th grader attending Parkway Middle School and included in the S.T.E.M. Magnet Program testified and spoke an awesome public speech telling the Florida State Senators why she wants to be "taught to learn and earn a real High School Diploma, because she wants to go to College to be a Vet Tech!" 

The Bill passed unanimously with all in favor to pass in a 8-0 vote! This was exciting to be part of and to see Mariah read her speech before live TV and Newspaper Reporters taking notes! Mariah did an awesome job especially for it being her first major public speaking engagement. She was amazing to see her reading her speech! She was a natural public speaker! She enjoyed it and was professional about it!

Two days later House Bill, HB 465 was voted on unanimously 13-0 in favor as well! 

THIS is a huge win for PARENTS of children on IEP's!!

This was a life dream for me to see my daughter well on her way to becoming a National Speaker! She is already thinking about her next speech! Her mother couldn't be prouder!

*See Mariah on The Capitol Update from March 18th, 2013. Go to 21:08 on the Video to hear Sen. Andy Gardiner and Sen. John Thrasher present on S.B. 1108. A small snippet of Mariah's speech will follow.
http://www.wuft.org/news/2013/03/19/proposed-education-bill-reported-favorably-out-of-fla-senate-committee/#.UUpurn9wxSg.gmail