school choice hearing and autism scholarships

[Guest guest]

Yikes, I have been reminded that THIS Friday the 13th is the hearing

for public school choice. I will be traveling to Houston to testify

in FAVOR of bringing an autism scholarship program to TX, something

similar to the successful program already working in Ohio called the

Ohio Autism Scholarship Program. The OH program allows parents who

have children with autism to make a CHOICE in how they would like to

have their child educated. Whether it is with the public school

system or by using a 20,000 dollar scholarship and CHOOSING another

educational option.

I have asked for letters of support to take to the hearing. I will

turn each of the letters in at the hearing so they can be a part of

the public record. Thank you so much for all the letters already!

But I can still fit some more letters in my car -big smiles. Some

have sent pictures and that is great too, but I have written on the

pictures " DO NOT make part of public record " . We do not want those

sweet faces on the internet!!!

Gosh with all this Barton craziness surrounding the Combating Autism

Act I am reminded about the mess during the last TX legislative

session trying to pass the Autism Supplement Bill. Oh boy, what a

learning experience that was... A scholarship bill will be far more

controversial and complicated but folks it can be done. For Pete

sakes OHIO has already passed one! Illinois is looking at this

program as well. Once the elections are over I will be working on

bringing Representative to TX to speak to the autism

community and our policy makers on this extremely important issue.

I have included a sample letter if that makes it easier for folks to

send a letter. Please feel free to personalize the letter to fit

your individual family needs and then email your letter back to me

- tscillian@... Also, feel free to forward this email

to other autism listserves in TX. You know the saying, 'one person

is a lunatic, but 50 is a powerful organization'

Thank you and STAY SCARY!

Liz

__________________

Date

Senator Florence Shapiro

5000 Legacy Dr., Ste. 494

Plano, Texas 75024

RE: Autism Education Scholarships

Honorable Florence Shapiro:

I am sure you are aware of the unique educational challenges each

student with autism faces. These challenges in the classroom are as

different and as complex as each individual child that falls on the

vast autism spectrum. Because of this complexity several states in

the nation have already recognized the need for and developed

specialized education legislation offering families a choice in how

they educate their special needs child. Ohio tops the list with

their successful Autism Education Scholarship Program.

Unfortunately today, Texas does not offer this education option to

its citizens with autism and as a parent with a child with autism I

would like to see autism scholarships brought to Texas. I believe

it is time for our elected leaders to take a hard look into the

current issues and struggles facing our families today. And while

doing so, they should look into Texas's future to see what the long-

term effects our current limited educational system will have on the

families and communities of children with autism. Only then will our

leaders begin to understand that this issue of school choice for

students with autism is not about poor performing schools or

inadequate teachers but simply about a subset of children with

complex educational challenges who when provided with most

appropriate educational opportunities available have shown to have

tremendous potential and therefore can make a positive impact on the

future of the Lone Star state.

Thank you for serving in the Texas state legislature and for taking

into consideration my view in favor of bringing education

scholarships for students with autism to Texas.

NAME

ADDRESS

EMAIL