As loyal readers know, the AASA (American Association of School Administrators) recently wrote a report on reforming special education due process. I believe they did a great public services in doing so–bringing this issue forward. It’s generated some controversy and discussion.
It’s been amazing to see the AASA cite our Massachusetts dispute resolution option–based on a jointly selected consultant–SpedEx, as a model going forward! We in Massachusetts have had success with SpedEx and do believe it could serve as a model nationwide.
However, there are differences between the AASA version and SpedEx. The major difference, in my view, is that SpedEx is voluntary for schools and parents and that parties do NOT waive any of their due process rights. See EdSource below!
http://www.edsource.org/today/2013/its-about-time-reforming-due-process-in-special-education/33080#.UbCc1EAWIRc
Let’s keep this important discussion going. Surely together we can build a better system for schools, parents, and students!
About Miriam
Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, JD, MA—an expert in public education, focused on special education law— is a lawyer, author, speaker, consultant, and reformer.
For more than 35 years, Miriam worked with educators, parents, policy makers, and citizens to translate complex legalese into plain English and focus on good practices for children.
Now, she focuses her passion on reforming special education, with her new book, Special Education 2.0—Breaking Taboos to Build a NEW Education Law. Presentations include those at the AASA Conference, Orange County (CA), Boston College (MA), CADRE (OR), and the Fordham Institute (DC). Her writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Education Week, Education Next, Hoover Digest, The University of Chicago Law Review on line, DianeRavitch.net, and The Atlantic Monthly on line.
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