Sep 6, 2007 1:47 PM
The UFT and parents have stood shoulder-to-shoulder on many issues during the last several years, proving that this is a powerful coalition that can achieve great ends. Most of the recent victories have benefited everyone involved but some of the victories have been of greatest interest to educators. Last month the coalition won a victory that is of greatest interest to parents of children in special education classes.
Good coalitions work that way.
With the union’s strenuous urging, the governor signed legislation that eased the burden on these parents when they go to a legal hearing where they seek to classify their children as eligible to receive special ed services. That’s the way it used to be, but a Supreme Court ruling two years ago shifted the burden of proof onto parents when they sought the necessary special services for their children. That required parents to retain legal representation to make their case — which, of course, meant a huge financial commitment.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer correctly noted that “determining which services are appropriate for our disabled children is important to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.” Making such determinations and providing the appropriate services are clearly the responsibility of school systems — whether it be for special ed students, middle school students or any other students.
The new legislation puts the burden of proof back on the school systems in New York State. That’s where it belongs.