April 30, 2004

Dear Colleague:

The Chancellor's Children First initiative makes a high priority of improved outcomes for students with disabilities. In addition, I have always been personally concerned about equity issues regarding our students with disabilities. In my new role as Acting Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning I can assure you that I continue to be a strong advocate for these important issues and for the attendant support and recognition of our special education personnel who are critical to these efforts.

School Psychologists are integral participants in these efforts as the primary assessor of children in the school and a full participant in mainstream school culture. To enrich and connect the psychological evaluation to instruction we have adopted the national model for psycho-educational assessments and have implemented significant professional development in that area.

These changes are not without challenges. I have no doubt, however, that, working together, we will improve outcomes for our students with disabilities.

To foster a meaningful dialogue on issues of mutual concern, I cordially invite all school psychologists to meet with me according to the following schedule. I look forward to seeing you there. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Carmen Fariña
Carmen Farina
Acting Deputy Chancellor For Teaching and Learning

CF

c: Joel I. Klein
Linda Wernikoff
Regional Superintendents
Randi Weingarten