Monday night, Spotsylvania County Public Schools learned that a federally funded research project that benefited 91 students and paid the salaries of five teachers was terminated.
That's 91 students in Spotsylvania. How many across the Commonwealth or the Nation? That's only one program for high school special needs students. How many more will be affected? Do they even care?
I recently saw this article. @Marty Davis, is this affecting Virginia schools, yet?
'Charting My Path' appears to be a research project. Spotsy Co PS submitted their grant application to US DOE. The US DOE approved it as worthy of study and awarded the grant. Yeah SCPS-Grantwriting Team! So there's the 'control' group of students who are participating in Transition Services WITHOUT mentors? contrasted with the 'variable' group of students WITH MENTORS. The research questions: What happens if we provide mentors to this group of students? Will we see a difference between the two groups of those WITH mentors and those WITHOUT mentors?
Nancy and Mary Ann in this 'Advance' discussion caution us to watch: what is happening at the federal level does impact us at LOCAL level. The US DOE yanking these grant research monies is 'a test' to see what the pushback is going to be across the country. The DOGE under Elon Musk is also trying it with 504 Rehabilitation Act that protects the rights of people with disabilities.
We don't know if this President and admin will try to attack the civil rights legislation within special ed's IDEA that guarantees a 'Free and Appropriate Public Education to ALL', ages 3-21 yrs old. (In VA, FAPE starts at age 2 yrs old).
Parents and advocates need to stay informed. Follow the info coming out, even daily, from disability advocacy organizations, like free ADDitudemag.com. (you don't have to have ADD to read the info) to learn 'Is My Child's IEP in Danger?'.
Informed parents in Spotsy Co PS whose students participated in 'Charting My Path' still have recourse. They can request that their child's IEP be opened back up and amended.
Within the Present Level of Functioning, Parent(s) Input section: add in justification for this request: Parent(s) and their child (if child is over 14 years old, add 'and student'). requests that based on their child's current functioning and need for a 'free and appropriate' education that is 'individualized' for Transition services, that they continue to participate in the supports provided in the previous SCPS 'Charting My Path' grant study group but only for the 'variable' WITH MENTOR and at the same intensity and quality evidenced in this project.
In the 'Goals' section, your child's IEP may already have a goal related to 'Transition Services', such as a few found on website: "A Day In Our Shoes'.com (transition goals).
Then move to the 'Services' page to document the 'Service', the hours, the support (a mentor).
All of this may already be in the IEP document. If not, AMEND the IEP and add in this info.
Maybe Spotsy Co PS will choose to run out the 'Charting My Path' program as it currently was operating under the really needed federal support monies? In any case, now they're going to have to find a 'line item' in the special ed budget or through an emergency request by them or a parents' Coalition to fund the program with local monies.
Only the parents who have the energy to go through this advocacy are going to succeed in having their child participate in the same quality and hours, level of supports (with MENTOR) as was provided in the creative, individualized project 'Charting My Path".
It's a big ask of parents to do it. TO ADVOCATE. but you'd be amazed at the number of parents who do it v. the ones who sit back and say 'why didn't my child get to participate?'. "Squeaky Wheels Always Get the Grease!"
I'm afraid that this is only the first of many impacts that we will see locally.
:(
I fear you are right.
That's 91 students in Spotsylvania. How many across the Commonwealth or the Nation? That's only one program for high school special needs students. How many more will be affected? Do they even care?
I recently saw this article. @Marty Davis, is this affecting Virginia schools, yet?
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/dept-education-cancels-grant-program-st-thomas-special-ed/89-4e11c81d-1800-4d85-9b58-94f5b96206f3?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR32aX5crzxwdmPtmeyWv8HtjUR8PnSJkExnTaR8uyvE169NAMxJgRJc6O8_aem_ZY26TlpOAgp_qMr2epBB5A
Cost estimates for Trump's appearance at the Super Bowl are as high as $20 million!
I appreciate and support SCS, but voters pay attention!
My daughter, is autistic, and will not be receiving assistance from this valuable program. WHY am I hearing this first in a news article…?
'Charting My Path' appears to be a research project. Spotsy Co PS submitted their grant application to US DOE. The US DOE approved it as worthy of study and awarded the grant. Yeah SCPS-Grantwriting Team! So there's the 'control' group of students who are participating in Transition Services WITHOUT mentors? contrasted with the 'variable' group of students WITH MENTORS. The research questions: What happens if we provide mentors to this group of students? Will we see a difference between the two groups of those WITH mentors and those WITHOUT mentors?
Nancy and Mary Ann in this 'Advance' discussion caution us to watch: what is happening at the federal level does impact us at LOCAL level. The US DOE yanking these grant research monies is 'a test' to see what the pushback is going to be across the country. The DOGE under Elon Musk is also trying it with 504 Rehabilitation Act that protects the rights of people with disabilities.
We don't know if this President and admin will try to attack the civil rights legislation within special ed's IDEA that guarantees a 'Free and Appropriate Public Education to ALL', ages 3-21 yrs old. (In VA, FAPE starts at age 2 yrs old).
Parents and advocates need to stay informed. Follow the info coming out, even daily, from disability advocacy organizations, like free ADDitudemag.com. (you don't have to have ADD to read the info) to learn 'Is My Child's IEP in Danger?'.
Informed parents in Spotsy Co PS whose students participated in 'Charting My Path' still have recourse. They can request that their child's IEP be opened back up and amended.
Within the Present Level of Functioning, Parent(s) Input section: add in justification for this request: Parent(s) and their child (if child is over 14 years old, add 'and student'). requests that based on their child's current functioning and need for a 'free and appropriate' education that is 'individualized' for Transition services, that they continue to participate in the supports provided in the previous SCPS 'Charting My Path' grant study group but only for the 'variable' WITH MENTOR and at the same intensity and quality evidenced in this project.
In the 'Goals' section, your child's IEP may already have a goal related to 'Transition Services', such as a few found on website: "A Day In Our Shoes'.com (transition goals).
Then move to the 'Services' page to document the 'Service', the hours, the support (a mentor).
All of this may already be in the IEP document. If not, AMEND the IEP and add in this info.
Maybe Spotsy Co PS will choose to run out the 'Charting My Path' program as it currently was operating under the really needed federal support monies? In any case, now they're going to have to find a 'line item' in the special ed budget or through an emergency request by them or a parents' Coalition to fund the program with local monies.
Only the parents who have the energy to go through this advocacy are going to succeed in having their child participate in the same quality and hours, level of supports (with MENTOR) as was provided in the creative, individualized project 'Charting My Path".
It's a big ask of parents to do it. TO ADVOCATE. but you'd be amazed at the number of parents who do it v. the ones who sit back and say 'why didn't my child get to participate?'. "Squeaky Wheels Always Get the Grease!"
Disgustingly cruel.