Resolution to approve the UFT joining the ARISE Coalition

Mar 25, 2009 4:50 PM

WHEREAS, the Action for Reform in Special Education (ARISE) coalition was formed to provide a collective and powerful voice on behalf of students with special needs in New York City; and

WHEREAS, the ARISE coalition seeks to compel systemic reform to improve special education, promote greater transparency and accountability of the education system, and most critically, assure more positive outcomes and options for all students; and

WHEREAS, the UFT shares these goals and appreciates the key role that parents and advocacy groups have always played in supporting and sustaining District 75 and advocating on behalf of students with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, schools are not held accountable by the current administration for providing special education services and supports to students with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the UFT filed over 60 complaints with the State Education Department during the 2007-08 school year regarding violations of special education law and regulations including a complaint regarding the systemic failure to ensure that teachers and providers receive copies of the IEPs of the students they serve and that paraprofessionals have access to IEPs; and

WHEREAS, the DOE collects volumes of data regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities and their performance, but shares next to none of this data with parents, staff and the public; and

WHEREAS, a recent Department of Education-commissioned study on improving special education in District 75 includes far-reaching recommendations to more fully integrate the district and the students it serves into the larger school system; and the involvement of organized parents, community groups and other support organizations will be critical to the success of any attempted restructuring of District 75; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT join the ARISE Coalition as a supporting organization.

Passed at the March 25, 2009 Delegate Assembly