NDSC Govenrmental Affairs Newsletter

[Guest guest]

TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups

FROM: Goodman, Director

Governmental Affairs

DATE: February 20, 2008

Update on Kennedy-Brownback Legislation

The mark-up on the Pre-Natally and Post-Natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (S. 1810), known as the Kennedy-Brownback bill, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Once the bill is reported out of the committee, our efforts will need to focus on moving it in the House of Representatives. As always, we will keep you posted about new developments.

To see the most recent version of the bill that has been introduced, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov and key in S. 1810 in the space for the bill number.

****************************************************************************

Efforts Continue on Education Legislation

NDSC and nearly 30 other organizations signed onto a letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) to Senator Kennedy (D. MA) chair and Senator Enzi (R.WY) ranking member of the Senate Health Education and Labor Committee (HELP) voicing a strong objection to any attempt to use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) as the primary accountability tool under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Some national education organizations are promoting this policy.

According to the letter, “IEPs are not designed or used as tools for holding schools accountable for whether students with disabilities are taught to the academic content and achievement standards established by the state for all students.

IEP teams do not make curriculum decisions. Rather, the IEP is a legal document used to by schools and parents to determine what services and supports are necessary for an individual child with a disability to have access to the classroom, to the curriculum, and to reach his or her potential.”

We do not know whether a bill will be introduced this year to reauthorize NCLB. We are closely monitoring activity on NCLB and will inform readers if and when legislation is introduced.

*************************************************************************************

Help Spread the News!

The NDSC’s Governmental Affairs Newsline is an excellent resource and one we encourage you to share with your parent group affiliate, or personal, listserv.

(If you no longer wish to receive these email updates, please go to our website, and click on “Contact Us”.)

Support Our Advocacy Work!

************************************************************************

How to Join the NDSC

Founded in 1972, the NDSC is the oldest national organization for persons with Down syndrome, their parents, siblings and the professionals who work with them. The Congress is known for its advocacy, its encouragement of self-advocate empowerment and leadership, as well as its many services, including Down Syndrome News, the Governmental Affairs Newsline, hosting the nation’s largest DS convention (July 11-13, 2008 in Boston, MA) and its toll-free information and resource hotline.

Annual dues are just $25, and may be paid online at www.ndsccenter.org; over the phone at 800/232-6372; or by mail at 1370 Center Drive, Suite 102; Atlanta, GA 30338.

Please join us as we continue “Making a difference, one family at a time”!

************************************************************************

If you have questions or comments about this Newsline, please contact g1961@....