RE: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

[Guest guest]

Except a very important point is that Domonique has always insisted that

Shape of Behavior is NOT a school. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to

collect

insurance from parents the way she does.

One on one intervention is not a school program and should not be funded

by education funds.

One on one intervention is medical and should be paid for by insurance.

I wonder Ms. Imbus would be so desparate for KISD to pay for it if her

insurance

company would.

I'm telling you guys, vouchers for kids with autism is shooting the

insurance

fight in the foot.

S.

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school — public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has 45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

,

I am not sure I understand your point. If you are saying that having

one-on-one instruction is not an educational must for our kids, then how do

you suggest a public

school effciently educate our children? One-on-one instructions are needed

when the student is unable to focus and maintain focus and attention, which

is the crux of the problem with our children (at least my child). Plus,

every child has a different learning style with different reinforces,

behaviors, hence the one-on-one style.

Are you saying the public school is NOT responsible for educating people

with disabilities, and that they need to be treated medically first before

they enter school? That's why the medical insurance should pay for their

education?? I can see where the medical insurance should pay for their

behavior modificatin, ST, OT, and biomedical interventions, but it is not

very clear really where should the medical insurance should stop and the

education system should pick up the rest.

In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for families

whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school - public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has 45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

What school district is your child in, ? Are you happy with the

programs?

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school — public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has 45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

Public schools contract private providers with state funds all the time. If

someone can explain the difference to me, I would appreciate it.

Gianadda

Democrat for Autism Scholarships

Re: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

,

I am not sure I understand your point. If you are saying that having

one-on-one instruction is not an educational must for our kids, then how do

you suggest a public

school effciently educate our children? One-on-one instructions are needed

when the student is unable to focus and maintain focus and attention, which

is the crux of the problem with our children (at least my child). Plus,

every child has a different learning style with different reinforces,

behaviors, hence the one-on-one style.

Are you saying the public school is NOT responsible for educating people

with disabilities, and that they need to be treated medically first before

they enter school? That's why the medical insurance should pay for their

education?? I can see where the medical insurance should pay for their

behavior modificatin, ST, OT, and biomedical interventions, but it is not

very clear really where should the medical insurance should stop and the

education system should pick up the rest.

In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for families

whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school - public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has 45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

I dont agree with your point of view. So in your view of point all 1

on 1 instruction(not intevention) has to be insurance? Kids with

autism and several other learning disabilities do require one on one

instruction and as taxpayers for the school district we are entitled

to get that services if that is needed for our child. May be the

school district you are in might be providing all the services, but I

dont think you can generalise the voucher program. I would be very

glad if we had that program so I have the luxury to provide my son

with the best of the resources.

Bharathi

-- In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " Singleton "

wrote:

>

> Except a very important point is that Domonique has always insisted

that

> Shape of Behavior is NOT a school. Otherwise she wouldn't be able

to

> collect

> insurance from parents the way she does.

>

> One on one intervention is not a school program and should not be

funded

> by education funds.

>

> One on one intervention is medical and should be paid for by

insurance.

> I wonder Ms. Imbus would be so desparate for KISD to pay for it if

her

> insurance

> company would.

>

> I'm telling you guys, vouchers for kids with autism is shooting the

> insurance

> fight in the foot.

> S.

> School Vouchers - Houston

Chronicle

>

>

> Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

> Autism fuels call for school vouchers

> State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the

doors of

> private programs

>

> By GARY SCHARRER

> Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

>

> AUSTIN — School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

> Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying

a

> whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for

lawmakers to

> resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation

that would

> allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for

their

> children.

> " They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a

classroom, "

> said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see

a choice

> program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with

autism. "

> The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of

autism has

> nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972

students to

> 17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education

Agency.

> Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the

functioning

> of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

> communication skills.

> A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain

amount

> of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at

any

> school — public or private. The public school could be in a

different

> district from the child's home district.

> Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are

willing to

> consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the

voucher idea,

> education groups will oppose it.

> Demand and opposition

> Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

> Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

> childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District.

Many

> others are on a waiting list.

> also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school

that

> specializes in teaching autistic children.

> If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover

the cost

> for intensive and specialized education.

> " Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be

mainstreamed, and

> then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus

said.

> " That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we

could help

> them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when

they are

> older. "

> But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's

plan.

> " It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus

said. " I

> don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize

how many

> of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

> disaster in our country. "

> There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is

imperative.

> Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice,

in Shape

> of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children

and has 45

> staff members.

> De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has

beautiful

> public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide

adequate

> support for Justice.

> She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly

immediately

> after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

> Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students

and $4,000

> a month for full-time students.

> " What typical family in America can do that? My parents are

helping us

> with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

> Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

> proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move

children

> from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or

better public

> schools.

> Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers

for one

> disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of

students.

> " Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

> schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State

Teachers

> Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax

dollars to

> private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments

become

> arguments around expanding that existing program. "

> State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes

school

> vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

> Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said

parents

> don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system

but that

> they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special

cases in

> which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed

services.

> Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and

passion

> away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

> Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers

during

> most of the past decade.

> San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent

nearly $5

> million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But

his effort

> largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that

would

> allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when

students take

> a voucher to enroll in another school.

> " Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with

the public

> school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken

Hoagland,

> said.

> But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the

Legislature for a

> full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income

parents to

> send children to private schools.

> Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children,

his

> spokesman said.

> Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape

of

> Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction

at a

> young age before an autistic child can transition to a general

education

> classroom.

> " Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach

them to

> participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

> The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, "

which

> emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school

teachers

> are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

> " These children going into public schools are either secluded and

put into

> classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't

get the

> opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

> behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

> behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

> gscharrer@...

>

> M. Guppy

> Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

> Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

> " There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right

to

> compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one

should

> live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

> Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get

the right

> to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

>

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately for my severely autistic three year old, one-on-one

intervention, whether you want to call it medical or educational,

is a necessity.

My belief is that we should approach the battle from both sides.

ERISA needs to be changed so that self-insured health plans will pay

for the medical aspects of the issue. From the educational aspect,

the scholarship program seem to be a great idea for those children

who are simply falling through the cracks because they can't afford

the $50-60,000 for private school. (I live in an extremely affluent

school district, and they can't begin to meet the needs of my

child.)

It's not a matter of if, but when these things will change. Many of

us are committed to one side or the other of these issues. Focusing

on our common goals, not our differences, will make us even more

effective...

Thanks to all of you for your passion and commitment!

Peace,

Judith

>

> Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

> Autism fuels call for school vouchers

> State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors

of private programs

>

> By GARY SCHARRER

> Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

>

> AUSTIN — School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying

a whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for

lawmakers to resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push

legislation that would allow parents of autistic children to choose

the best schools for their children.

> " They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a

classroom, " said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would

like to see a choice program. ... It's what I think we should do for

children with autism. "

> The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of

autism has nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from

8,972 students to 17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to

the Texas Education Agency.

> Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the

functioning of the brain and development in the areas of social

interaction and communication skills.

> A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a

certain amount of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school

education at any school — public or private. The public school could

be in a different district from the child's home district.

> Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are

willing to consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail

the voucher idea, education groups will oppose it.

> Demand and opposition

> Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

> Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an

early childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School

District. Many others are on a waiting list.

> also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school

that specializes in teaching autistic children.

> If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover

the cost for intensive and specialized education.

> " Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be

mainstreamed, and then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money

later, " Imbus said. " That's what I think the general public doesn't

realize. If we could help them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be

institutionalized when they are older. "

> But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's

plan.

> " It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus

said. " I don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they

realize how many of these children are out there. This is going to

become an economic disaster in our country. "

> There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is

imperative.

> Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice,

in Shape of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40

children and has 45 staff members.

> De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has

beautiful public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to

provide adequate support for Justice.

> She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly

immediately after being placed in the private school: He began

speaking.

> Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students

and $4,000 a month for full-time students.

> " What typical family in America can do that? My parents are

helping us with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente

said.

> Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas.

Such proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to

move children from low performing, inner-city schools to private

schools or better public schools.

> Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow

vouchers for one disability or disease could open the door to other

subsets of students.

> " Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not

private schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas

State Teachers Association. " Our belief is that once you start

moving public tax dollars to private schools, whatever the initial

reason, future arguments become arguments around expanding that

existing program. "

> State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes

school vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

> Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said

parents don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher

system but that they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher

program in special cases in which the school district agrees that it

can't provide needed services.

> Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and

passion away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

> Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school

vouchers during most of the past decade.

> San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent

nearly $5 million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly

candidates. But his effort largely failed, and now Leininger is

pushing a compromise idea that would allow school districts to keep

a portion of the tax money when students take a voucher to enroll in

another school.

> " Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with

the public school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's

spokesman, Ken Hoagland, said.

> But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the

Legislature for a full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars

for low-income parents to send children to private schools.

> Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children,

his spokesman said.

> Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the

Shape of Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive

interaction at a young age before an autistic child can transition

to a general education classroom.

> " Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach

them to participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

> The most effective approach involves " applied behavior

analysis, " which emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said.

Many public school teachers are not trained in applied behavior

analysis, she said.

> " These children going into public schools are either secluded

and put into classrooms with children all having disabilities, and

so they don't get the opportunity to learn from their typically

developing peers, or their behavior (keeps) them from that

opportunity, " Randall said. " But the behavior is the result of

teachers not being trained. "

> gscharrer@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> M. Guppy

> Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

> Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

>

> " There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no

right to compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an

institution. No one should live in one. We cannot debate who

should get an inclusive education. Everyone should. We cannot

determine who does and who does not get the right to make their own

choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

What about the children in the rural areas? The major metropolitan

areas have alternatives, but Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, etc. don't.

We're farmers near Lubbock and I'm afraid the smaller, rural schools

will quit even trying to teach our children if a voucher is available.

A lot of families, like mine, are tied to the land and can't pick up and

move to where a school is available.

Tonya

-----Original Message-----

From: ginam

In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for

families

whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

[Guest guest]

I home school. I am in the process of applying for a program that I've found

out

about from another parent.

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school — public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has 45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

Dear Tonya,

well, if no one will pick up and move then the public schools in your area

should not be threatened by the voucher system since there is no

competition. I don't think that should deprive the rest of us for having a

choice of where our children can get the education they need, especially

when the local school is unwilling to do so.

RE: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

> What about the children in the rural areas? The major metropolitan

> areas have alternatives, but Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, etc. don't.

> We're farmers near Lubbock and I'm afraid the smaller, rural schools

> will quit even trying to teach our children if a voucher is available.

> A lot of families, like mine, are tied to the land and can't pick up and

> move to where a school is available.

>

> Tonya

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: ginam

> In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for

> families

> whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My point is that if a child needs more than an two hours of individual

instruction

a day, not only will they not get it in a public setting, it would be better

for them

to be in a clinic with properly trained and certified professionals who can

address

the learning needs that is funded by insurance.

Do the math. You have 8 kids in a self contained classroom with one teacher

and 2 aides. There are around 6 hours in a school day. If all they did was

individual instruction with no breaks for bathroom or lunch, then each of

the

kids, at the most about 2 hours of individualized instruction.

I am suggesting that if a child doesn't have the skills to even learn in a

small

group setting--with even one other child present, that if a child continues

to

need more than 2 hours of individualized instruction to make progress, then

that child needs to be in a clinic based program that is funded by insurance

dollars.

The whole premise of public school at this time is that a child learns much

more

than academics in a group environment as a preparation for life happening in

a

group environment. Life is NOT one to one. If you want your child to have

a life

in the community, then at some point, your child is going to have to learn

to deal

with other people. One of schools jobs is to helps children learn

independence

within a group. As Bridget said at her workshop this fall, parents

really need

to think about what level of dependence their adult children will have.

A parent isn't going to be able to care for the child all their lives, so

who do you

want wiping your adult child's bottom? Or do you want them to be able to do

it

themselves? Schools should be educating children with disabilities as much

for the child with the disabilities, as for the child withOUT disabilities.

Typical

children need to learn to be comfortable around and include kids with

disabilities

instead of thinking of them as " those wierd kids in Ms. 's class " .

If your child does not have the skills to be in ANY group instruction at ANY

time

during the day, then your child may need to be in a clinic setting funded by

insurance.

If you could get insurance to pay for this, would you really be so desparate

to have

the schools to pay for it?

The difficult issue about all of this is that kids with autism need an

interdisciplinary

approach and it IS really difficult to sort out where insurance should stop

paying and

the schools should pick up. The only way that I've been able to have it

make sense

in my mind is how much individualized instruction that child needs, what

skill level the

child has. If the child cannot attend to something for 5 minutes, sit for

about 15 minutes,

tolerate being in a room with 8 other people, indicate (with words, sign

language, or

some other form of communitcation) an answer to a simple, need

based yes or no question (like do you want a snack? or do you need to go to

the

bathroom?), and indicate one or two basic needs to the teacher, then maybe

that

child needs to be in a clinic based program that is funded by insurance.

It would be so much more helpful for ALL children AND teachers if all the

energy

that is going into the

voucher fight were going into a fight for smaller classroom sizes so that

teachers

actually can have a chance to teach. It's not doing our society any good to

cram

20 kindergardeners into a classroom with one teacher and no aide, 25 first -

third

graders, and even higher rations in junior high. If people really want

inclusion to

ever work or want to do something to stop the 30% drop out rate, then we

will

need to fight eventually for smaller classrooms.

I think vouchers is a slippery slope that will have the ultimate unintended

outcome

of the schools having no motivation to develop quality programs for our

kids.

They will simply shrug their shoulders and say " take your voucher money and

good riddance. " UNLESS you figure out a way to tie kids leaving a district

with

their voucher money to the superintendents salary. If you can figure out a

way to make the superintendent take a financial hit for every child who

leaves

his district because of poor programming, THEN you will have done something

that will eventually help everyone. If not, then, oh well. We might all

want to

think about home schooling and shutting the public schools down.

S.

Re: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

,

I am not sure I understand your point. If you are saying that having

one-on-one instruction is not an educational must for our kids, then how

do

you suggest a public

school effciently educate our children? One-on-one instructions are needed

when the student is unable to focus and maintain focus and attention,

which

is the crux of the problem with our children (at least my child). Plus,

every child has a different learning style with different reinforces,

behaviors, hence the one-on-one style.

Are you saying the public school is NOT responsible for educating people

with disabilities, and that they need to be treated medically first before

they enter school? That's why the medical insurance should pay for their

education?? I can see where the medical insurance should pay for their

behavior modificatin, ST, OT, and biomedical interventions, but it is not

very clear really where should the medical insurance should stop and the

education system should pick up the rest.

In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for families

whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dec. 18, 2006, 1:31AM

Autism fuels call for school vouchers

State lawmaker and families push for legislation to open the doors of

private programs

By GARY SCHARRER

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - School voucher plans repeatedly have died in the Texas

Legislature, but the Senate Education Committee chairwoman is eying a

whittled-down school-choice option that might be harder for lawmakers to

resist. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, plans to push legislation that

would

allow parents of autistic children to choose the best schools for their

children.

" They have a very difficult time in a regular setting in a classroom, "

said Shapiro, who long has supported vouchers. " I would like to see a

choice

program. ... It's what I think we should do for children with autism. "

The number of Texas children diagnosed with various degrees of autism has

nearly doubled over the past five years, increasing from 8,972 students to

17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education

Agency.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the functioning

of the brain and development in the areas of social interaction and

communication skills.

A voucher program would allow eligible parents to spend a certain amount

of tax dollars allocated for a child's public school education at any

school - public or private. The public school could be in a different

district from the child's home district.

Even some lawmakers who have opposed vouchers say they are willing to

consider Shapiro's proposal. And while some parents hail the voucher idea,

education groups will oppose it.

Demand and opposition

Kendra Imbus embraces Shapiro's proposal.

Her 4-year-old, , has severe autism and attends an early

childhood autism program in the Katy Independent School District. Many

others are on a waiting list.

also attends Shape of Behavior Inc., a private school that

specializes in teaching autistic children.

If given a choice, Imbus said, parents could get help to cover the cost

for intensive and specialized education.

" Maybe you could get them to a point where they could be mainstreamed, and

then, maybe, you wouldn't have to spend that money later, " Imbus said.

" That's what I think the general public doesn't realize. If we could help

them now, maybe they wouldn't have to be institutionalized when they are

older. "

But she is not optimistic that lawmakers will support Shapiro's plan.

" It will be a hard sell. I don't think the public cares, " Imbus said. " I

don't think they understand the issue. I don't think they realize how many

of these children are out there. This is going to become an economic

disaster in our country. "

There is no known cure for autism. Early intervention is imperative.

Holli De Clemente also has enrolled her 3-year-old son, Justice, in Shape

of Behavior. The school, with six locations, enrolls 40 children and has

45

staff members.

De Clemente said her Magnolia Independent School District has beautiful

public schools but, from her perspective, was unable to provide adequate

support for Justice.

She said her son made " a mind-boggling transformation " nearly immediately

after being placed in the private school: He began speaking.

Shape of Behavior charges $2,000 a month for part-time students and $4,000

a month for full-time students.

" What typical family in America can do that? My parents are helping us

with part of it, because it's impossible, " De Clemente said.

Education groups vigorously oppose voucher programs in Texas. Such

proposals typically involve vouchers for low-income parents to move

children

from low performing, inner-city schools to private schools or better

public

schools.

Voucher supporters and opponents agree any move to allow vouchers for one

disability or disease could open the door to other subsets of students.

" Public tax dollars should go to fund public schools, not private

schools, " said Kouri, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers

Association. " Our belief is that once you start moving public tax dollars

to

private schools, whatever the initial reason, future arguments become

arguments around expanding that existing program. "

State Sen. Van de Putte, D-San , said she opposes school

vouchers but agonizes with parents of autistic children.

Van de Putte, a member of the Senate Education Committee, said parents

don't want to open the floodgates for a full-blown voucher system but that

they are lobbying for a limited-purpose voucher program in special cases

in

which the school district agrees that it can't provide needed services.

Van de Putte, emphasizing that she opposes " diverting money and passion

away from our public school system, " said she is open-minded.

Ongoing vouchers battleLawmakers have fought over school vouchers during

most of the past decade.

San physician-turned-businessman Leininger spent nearly $5

million this year tying to elect voucher-friendly candidates. But his

effort

largely failed, and now Leininger is pushing a compromise idea that would

allow school districts to keep a portion of the tax money when students

take

a voucher to enroll in another school.

" Leaving a percentage of the funds devoted to the student with the public

school creates a win-win situation, " Leininger's spokesman, Ken Hoagland,

said.

But Van de Putte said there simply is no appetite in the Legislature for a

full-blown voucher program allowing tax dollars for low-income parents to

send children to private schools.

Leininger also supports a voucher program for autistic children, his

spokesman said.

Special needsAccording to Domonique Randall, founder of the Shape of

Behavior schools, it takes about two years of intensive interaction at a

young age before an autistic child can transition to a general education

classroom.

" Our goal is to teach them to learn within a group and to teach them to

participate in a group setting, " Randall said.

The most effective approach involves " applied behavior analysis, " which

emphasizes positive reinforcement, Randall said. Many public school

teachers

are not trained in applied behavior analysis, she said.

" These children going into public schools are either secluded and put into

classrooms with children all having disabilities, and so they don't get

the

opportunity to learn from their typically developing peers, or their

behavior (keeps) them from that opportunity, " Randall said. " But the

behavior is the result of teachers not being trained. "

gscharrer@...

M. Guppy

Contact me to order the 2007 Autism Awareness Calendar for Texas!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the

right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Guest guest]

It's fine that you disagree, I welcome discussion about this.

Yes, there are kids in school who need some one on one instruction or small

group

instruction, but a young child with autism needs at least 25--that's over 5

hours

a day-- of one on one instruction a day. That is not school--that's

instensive therapy,

and as such should not be paid primarily for by the schools. Indeed, a

regular

teacher background, is not even the best preparation for supervising these

therapy

programs. I guarantee you that there very, very, very few if any schools in

Texas

providing over 5 hours of individualized instruction for each young children

with

autism in their school.

However, consider this. Insurance companies are in the business of funding

medical treatment for people who are sick. Yet, they are being allowed to

deny treatment

to children with autism. Why should the public sector, i.e. us the

taxpayers, foot the

entire bill??? Private industry, in the form of insurance companies needs

to pay their

share. That's their business. That's what they've assumed the risk for,

and in the

case of autism, they are paying a small fraction of what they actually

should be paying.

That's because they got the most powerful politicians in the state in their

pocket.

I just have a vision where a young child who gets diagnosed will be referred

to an

insurance funded clinic where he (she) will have access to a quality ABA

program

supervised by properly trained and certified personnel, and where the child

would

also have access to a speech path and a PT and OT in one place so that these

can be incorporated into the ABA program. Then by 3, if they were ready,

they

could transition, if the family chose, to a school program that designed to

teach

these kids the social skills they need. Or the family could keep the child

in the

clinic until kindergarten age. At that time the family would choose which

of the programs

in the school were the best fit for their child's skills and speed of

learning.

If parents were getting quality intervention programs paid for EARLY

intervention,

so many kids would be ready to make the transition to the programs that

schools

are providing.

Additionally, it is NOT a one on one world. It is a world full of people.

At some point,

a child is going to have to be able to successfully be in a small group of

people if they

want to have any kind of life in the community.

S.

Re: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

I dont agree with your point of view. So in your view of point all 1

on 1 instruction(not intevention) has to be insurance? Kids with

autism and several other learning disabilities do require one on one

instruction and as taxpayers for the school district we are entitled

to get that services if that is needed for our child. May be the

school district you are in might be providing all the services, but I

dont think you can generalise the voucher program. I would be very

glad if we had that program so I have the luxury to provide my son

with the best of the resources.

Bharathi

--

Recent Activity

a.. 10New Members

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[Guest guest]

Tonya I hear what you are saying, but a scholarship program does not provide a

choice if

an option is not available. Nothing in your situation will change with the

creation of a

scholarship program. You can continue on with life as you know it. I know you

are not

saying, because you can't use a scholarship, you don't want anybody else to use

one...

and I also understand that change is scary... But we have to look at the data

out of OH

and all the data reflects that the autism scholarship program has NOT BEEN

harmful to the

public schools or to other families. As a matter of fact the Democratic elect

Governor has

openly said he will make OH autism scholarship pilot program - law! The program

has

benefitted 500 families in OH and I don't know about the rest of you but I am so

happy

that 500 families were able to make that choice for their family. Even some of

the public

schools have jumped on the scholarship bandwagon and have created a school

within a

school. Would that creative thinking have started without a scholarship

program?

I believe commented that these scholarships will somehow let the

insurance

companies off of their responsibilities. A scholarship program and insurance

reform are

apple and oranges and we need BOTH. Right now OH is working on mental health

parity

bill and I believe it has passed the House! They are also working on improving

their waiver

programs... So Understand that all reform and improvement in other areas does

not

simply stop beause there is a scholarship program. A scholarship bill does not

fix ALL of

our woes in TX. If I thought there was one solution out there that would FIX IT

ALL IN ONE

BIG SWOOP, I WOULD DO IT AND KICK ANYONE'S ASS WHO GOT IN MY WAY. But I don't

know of that 'one' solution. A scholarship program is just another piece in the

puzzle to

help families.

Folks lets not divide ourselves. We want to make sure our policy makers in Texas

want to

continue to work with us in the years to come. There IS urgency for change

for our

families and there is ABSOLUTELY NO URGENCY FOR CHANGE AT the TEA.

Much love,

Liz

>

> What about the children in the rural areas? The major metropolitan

> areas have alternatives, but Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, etc. don't.

> We're farmers near Lubbock and I'm afraid the smaller, rural schools

> will quit even trying to teach our children if a voucher is available.

> A lot of families, like mine, are tied to the land and can't pick up and

> move to where a school is available.

>

> Tonya

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: ginam

> In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for

> families

> whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their chidlren.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is OK to disagree with me Tonya. I have a lot of respect for all that you

do. But, I am

absolutely heartbroken that our community will fight with each other on an issue

that has

the potential to help and to bring about real change for families... If we

fight, we gain

NOTHING and we become a community that is difficult to work with. I want folks

to focus

on real change, instead of using energy to fight a scholarship program, use that

energy

and change something! Solve a problm. Lets not make any more problems. We

have so

much to work on and I am just devasted that folks would rather put their energy

into

working against each other rather than changing and solving problems in our

state.

Anyways, I will stay focused and I will think positive about the future!

Much love,

Liz

> >

> > What about the children in the rural areas? The major metropolitan

> > areas have alternatives, but Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, etc. don't.

> > We're farmers near Lubbock and I'm afraid the smaller, rural schools

> > will quit even trying to teach our children if a voucher is available.

> > A lot of families, like mine, are tied to the land and can't pick up

> and

> > move to where a school is available.

> >

> > Tonya

> >

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: ginam

> > In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for

> > families

> > whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their

> chidlren.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

It’s not a matter of WON’T move, it’s a matter of CAN’T. Easily over ½

the people in this area have a livelihood that is tied to the land. If

they were to move to another area, the means for supporting their

families would be gone. Schools know this too! That’s why I think a

voucher would create the situation of some schools not even trying to

teach the child and taking the attitude of take your voucher and go.

Where will this leave the child whose family farms, ranches, works on

one or works in an allied industry. How many job opportunities exist in

the various metroplexes for a ginner, a bale press operator, a cotton

buyer or classer, a rancher, a farmer, etc? We can’t all stand behind

something for the opportunities of some to the detriment of others.

Tonya

Re: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

Dear Tonya,

well, if no one will pick up and move then the public schools in your

area

should not be threatened by the voucher system since there is no

competition. I don't think that should deprive the rest of us for having

a

choice of where our children can get the education they need, especially

when the local school is unwilling to do so.

RE: School Vouchers - Houston Chronicle

> What about the children in the rural areas? The major metropolitan

> areas have alternatives, but Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, etc. don't.

> We're farmers near Lubbock and I'm afraid the smaller, rural schools

> will quit even trying to teach our children if a voucher is available.

> A lot of families, like mine, are tied to the land and can't pick up

and

> move to where a school is available.

>

> Tonya

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: ginam

> In the meantime, i think the voucher system is a great help for

> families

> whose local public school is inept and unfit to educate their

chidlren.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry Tonya that you feel as though an autism scholarship

program would hurt your child and it is apparent that there is not

anything that I can say or do that will help... I believe Texas can

do anything the other states are doing and yes, even better. If I

did not believe that then I have no hope and without hope there is

nothing.

Anyways, I am staying focused on the positives, because that is what

keeps me sane.

I hope everyone had a good holiday.

Liz

tscillian@...

[Guest guest]

In regards to autism vouchers,

As a future educator,

Instead of vouchers, I would like them to invest this money in the

public school system and award it to districts as grants to develop

good autism programs.

However, I understand all of the parents concerns, but my faith in the

state of Texas's school system was shot to death in 1993 when I was

diagnosed.

Many districts don't care, some do and the ones that do, don't have the

support and money from the state to implement any meaningful programs.

The districts that don't care have no law or reason why the should.

IDEA is a loose interpretation of suggestions to many of them.