Re: Re: From Guppy: Clarification on the post about the Voucher Bill

April 18, 2007

So the stink over SB1000 allowing autism families to put the public money

designated to educating their child toward private schools is really nothing

more than ensuring the public schools are following federal IDEA law. Is that

right, Mark? The public-private portion that folks are fussing about is already

covered by IDEA. I am one confused Democrat.

Re: From Guppy: Clarification on the

post about the Voucher Bill

Hi ,

As you are neutral, you get to watch cow-patties fly both ways over

your head. Make sure you don't stick your head up and try to figure

out who threw that last big one ...... LOL :>)

As to families that support SB 1000, please call your Senator and

tell him/her and other Texas Senators tomorrow or soon to tell them

that you support this wonderful Bill and that you want this Bill to

have a full and open vote by the full Senate this year.

This Bill is all about AUTISM and our loved ones who are

neurologically different and require specific services for their

treatment and education.

This Bill provides school transfers within an ISD, allows for

district-to-district transfers to allow a family to have their child

in a school with a better Autism program/staff, and supports the

Federal Law of IDEA which clearly states that public schools MUST

consider private placement when necessary. This is the Federal Law

and SB 1000 SUPPORTS AND FOLLOWS this law, because it allows your

child to attend a private school if your public schools FAILS to

provide services for your child. It also allows you to receive

funding if your school fails your child.

This is a powerful and wonderful option for all Autism families,

because it gives you the option to go to the school that will help

your child the most. No matter what the TEA promises or fails to

do, this powerful and progressive Bill gives you the option to do it.

Sorry , I guess you will have to watch the cow-patties fly.

Mark

> Ask Your Senators to Vote NO to suspend the rules to

hear SB 1000 " " "

>

> The words and call to action in that post - come from the Arc of

Texas. My name is on there because I forwarded it to our list - in

an effort to maintain list forwarding etiquette rules so to speak...

>

> Texas Autism Advocacy is not an organization funded by anyone,

nor is it an organization run by anyone. It is simply a network of

parents and professionals who joined this list - and mail list - for

the purpose of receiving and sharing information regarding Autism

and Advocacy issues in Texas.

>

> I want to make very clear that this list is not partisan

politics - those who know me, know that I have no clue what that

means. (Are you smiling ???)

>

> What I do have a clue about - is informing parents of both sides

of the issues that affect them, and their children.

>

> I only step in when things get ugly and personal on this list.

Otherwise - opposing views are encouraged and welcome.

>

> Many on this list feel very strongly FOR the

voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

>

> Many on this list feel very strongly AGAINST the

voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

>

> I have friends on BOTH sides of that issue and am stuck in the

middle myself. I just am not sure about it - thus I am neutral.

>

> But if the Arc of Texas has an Action Alert that I feel parents

should be informed about - I'm going to forward it to this list.

>

> If Texas Autism Scholarships have an Action Alert they would

like me to post on this list - I will forward that post as well.

>

> Texas Autism Advocacy, this list, the website, - will never be

run by anyone other than the parents subscribed to it..

>

> The information is for you - most times by you - and always to

educate you.

>

> I can't say anything more than that.

>

> I want everyone to know that Texas Autism Advocacy is the place

to go in Texas for information, resources, and support.

>

> A big part of that is Advocacy - and I want listmates and

subscribers to always know that both sides will be represented - on

any issue that affects our children, and our families - in Texas -

and Nationwide.

>

> Anyone is welcome to submit to this list an opposing view to

that Action Alert. It is from the Arc of Texas - not me. I felt I

made that clear in the parenthesis part - and in including Rona

Statsman's e-mail address at the top.

>

> I don't play politics - as I said - I don't even know enough to

know how.

>

> In forwarding things to inform you - I will always err on the

side of too much information rather than not enough.

>

> Sincerely,

> M. Guppy

>

> M. Guppy

> Don't tell God how big your storm is - tell the storm how big your

God is! 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. "

>

April 19, 2007

If we are really looking out for children's best interests, then where are the

protections for these children in SB 1000? I know a new version came out two

days ago and I have not had a chance to look at it, but I am told this has

remained same - In order for someone to open up a private school for children

with ASD all they have to do is place their name on a waiting list for

accreditation (standards, BTW, are yet to be determined) and they can remain on

that list for three years without any qualifiied staff or oversight. We are

talking about children who can not speak at all or who can not accurately convey

what is or is not happening to them at school....This happened in Florida, a NY

T-shirt manufacturer bought a number of private schools in the Palm Beach Area

without any qualifications etc...only to profiteer on the rising Autism market

as a result of the 1:150 children currently being diagnosed....

Whether you agree or disagree with Vouchers - this bill does not provide the

protection that are children need and deserve.

You are right - due process is unduly burdensome for families and something

needs to be done swiftly to remedy that situation, but SB 1000 is not going to

provide you with the quality services you are hoping for either...atleast in

public schools their are procedural safeguards and federal protections, that we

in our community can work together to insure that they are better implemented in

this state...

I know that will take time -- but SB 1000 is going to take time to implement

as well. It is going to take a few years for enough schools to spring up

(notwithstanding the issues surrounding that!!) - during this time, we could be

expending our energy trying to improve the system..

There is new language that if a private school is going to implement ABA - a

board certified behavior analyst must be on staff - Well - if that can be done

for private schools, why can it not be done for public?? Also, it does nothing

to insure that the therapists working directly with the children have adequate

training or experience... Also, there are many other therapeutic options and

curriculums that schools can open up and purport to utilize and SB 1000 is

silent as to the qualifications for these schools or credentials....(for the

first 3 years- that is a long time for inappropriate, ineffective schools to be

operating)

mark colditz wrote:

Nagla,

I must clearly say that item three is incredibly misleading to all

Autism families that know little about the heavy-handed, lop-sided,

legally oppressive " Due Process " measure which is

supposedly " justice " through FAPE.

This is the farthest thing from helping Autism families. SB 1000

will not eliminate " Due Process " , but it could greatly help an Autism

family to escape and find a solution away from attorneys and the TEA

legal position of denial, delay and minimizing Autism family

struggles.

Having met and heard the families who have gone through " Due

Process " , I am convinced that the true measure of an ISD and the

TEA's commitment to our families is seen in how far an ISD will fight

to oppose providing services.

There are some incredible Autism families who have gone the " Due

Process " and many are wonderful supporters of SB 1000.

These families know the truth about " Due Process " . I believe them.

SB 1000 is a great option/choice other than the present system

of " Due Process " .

Mark

> > > Ask Your Senators to Vote NO to suspend the rules

> to

> > hear SB 1000 " " "

> > >

> > > The words and call to action in that post - come from the Arc

> of

> > Texas. My name is on there because I forwarded it to our list -

in

> > an effort to maintain list forwarding etiquette rules so to

speak...

> > >

> > > Texas Autism Advocacy is not an organization funded by

anyone,

> > nor is it an organization run by anyone. It is simply a network

of

> > parents and professionals who joined this list - and mail list -

> for

> > the purpose of receiving and sharing information regarding Autism

> > and Advocacy issues in Texas.

> > >

> > > I want to make very clear that this list is not partisan

> > politics - those who know me, know that I have no clue what that

> > means. (Are you smiling ???)

> > >

> > > What I do have a clue about - is informing parents of both

> sides

> > of the issues that affect them, and their children.

> > >

> > > I only step in when things get ugly and personal on this

list.

> > Otherwise - opposing views are encouraged and welcome.

> > >

> > > Many on this list feel very strongly FOR the

> > voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

> > >

> > > Many on this list feel very strongly AGAINST the

> > voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

> > >

> > > I have friends on BOTH sides of that issue and am stuck in

the

> > middle myself. I just am not sure about it - thus I am neutral.

> > >

> > > But if the Arc of Texas has an Action Alert that I feel

parents

> > should be informed about - I'm going to forward it to this list.

> > >

> > > If Texas Autism Scholarships have an Action Alert they would

> > like me to post on this list - I will forward that post as well.

> > >

> > > Texas Autism Advocacy, this list, the website, - will never

be

> > run by anyone other than the parents subscribed to it..

> > >

> > > The information is for you - most times by you - and always

to

> > educate you.

> > >

> > > I can't say anything more than that.

> > >

> > > I want everyone to know that Texas Autism Advocacy is the

place

> > to go in Texas for information, resources, and support.

> > >

> > > A big part of that is Advocacy - and I want listmates and

> > subscribers to always know that both sides will be represented -

on

> > any issue that affects our children, and our families - in Texas -

> > and Nationwide.

> > >

> > > Anyone is welcome to submit to this list an opposing view to

> > that Action Alert. It is from the Arc of Texas - not me. I felt

I

> > made that clear in the parenthesis part - and in including Rona

> > Statsman's e-mail address at the top.

> > >

> > > I don't play politics - as I said - I don't even know enough

to

> > know how.

> > >

> > > In forwarding things to inform you - I will always err on the

> > side of too much information rather than not enough.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > > M. Guppy

> > >

> > > M. Guppy

> > > Don't tell God how big your storm is - tell the storm how big

> your

> > God is! 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. "

> > >

April 19, 2007

SB 1000 in NO WAY gives up on FAPE . That's the nonsense the school districts

are using to scare parents into not supporting this bill. NOTHING will change

for the students whose parents choose to have them in the exact same school they

are in right now. IDEA is still there, the law still has to be taken into

account. For every spectrum kid in school, the school is still legally obligated

to meet that child's needs regardless of however many other parents choose to

take their child out and have their tax dollars go with them. But how many of

you are happy with your child's situation at the school they are currently in???

This bill does not let the schools off the hook at all. It gives PARENTS a

choice. How many of you homeschool your child because you didn't have the

ability (emotionally or financially) to fight your school district? How many of

you wish your child could go to the public school down the road but your child

is not zoned there so you are stuck at the one closest to your home? This is

the kind of situation that this bill will help. It is meant to be an immediate

solution to the fact that so many parents feel the schools are not serving our

children. The long term solution is to improve each and every school so this is

no longer an issue and some of the proposed bills out there are working to that

end. If you agree with this explanation of SB 1000 PLEASE call the senators now

who are opposing and get this thing passed! (cynthia will know which Senators

are still not for this bill)

Re: From Guppy: Clarification on the

post about the Voucher Bill

1. Many private schools will not accept children with severe behavior

problems, they take too much staff and programing effort, and the

schools would lose money (after all they are for profit private

schools, so their main interest is making money for their

investors/owners). These children would be discriminated against,

left in school programs with less money.

2. Rural areas would not get much choice for their kids, not many

private schools would operate there, not that many kids, so these

kids would be discriminated against.

3. We would be giving up on FAPE and LRE, private schools do not have

to abide by IDEA, and it would be the parent's responsibility to

enforce the IEP at the private school. There will not be much

justice for parents if the school is not abiding by the IEP since it

is not a public school and there is no due process available, no

mediation being enforced etc..... Many private schools that are

available now are specifically for kids with autism there is no

inclusion, only special needs children. What about peer modeling and

least restrictive enviornment?

4. Many of the same problems encountered in public schools will

exist in private schools, without the safeguards available in public

schools.

6. Most private schools for kids with autism charge upwards of

$30,000 so parents will have to supplement the voucher, in essence

this will discriminate against economically disadvantaged parents and

students. It will create unequal opportunities, parents who can come

up with the extra money will do much better than those who will be

left behind in public schools that still have pay for the

electricity, janitors,cafeteria workers, teachers, facilities

etc...only with less money.

7. It will also discriminate against parents who depend on school

transportation to get their children to school. This bill has no

transportation provisions.

8. Parents have to have an " agreed upon IEP " and that no complaints

or litigation is pending. So you will still have to meet with your

school district and come up with a 'level of service' (how much it

will cost depends on the need of each child,how much money each child

will get depends on the IEP services).

I know public schools are far from perfect, but for the benefit of

the majority of children with autism, not just the few that can

benefit from SB1000, it is very important for us to push our schools

to do better, otherwise the legislature and the schools will say okay

parents of kids with autism, we already gave you private options ,

don't bug us for any other improvements, you have a choice use it.

For me, my PERSONNAL opinion is we can't give up on FAPE , what would

have happened if African Americans gave up on equality in public

schools and settled for separate schools.

There are several bills out there that will help improve special

education senate Bill 840 (all the special initiative bills files a

month ago).

Please oppose SB 1000 and support the special ed initiative instead.

Here's a link to find your representative:

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Thank you all

Nagla

> > Ask Your Senators to Vote NO to suspend the rules

to

> hear SB 1000 " " "

> >

> > The words and call to action in that post - come from the Arc

of

> Texas. My name is on there because I forwarded it to our list - in

> an effort to maintain list forwarding etiquette rules so to speak...

> >

> > Texas Autism Advocacy is not an organization funded by anyone,

> nor is it an organization run by anyone. It is simply a network of

> parents and professionals who joined this list - and mail list -

for

> the purpose of receiving and sharing information regarding Autism

> and Advocacy issues in Texas.

> >

> > I want to make very clear that this list is not partisan

> politics - those who know me, know that I have no clue what that

> means. (Are you smiling ???)

> >

> > What I do have a clue about - is informing parents of both

sides

> of the issues that affect them, and their children.

> >

> > I only step in when things get ugly and personal on this list.

> Otherwise - opposing views are encouraged and welcome.

> >

> > Many on this list feel very strongly FOR the

> voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

> >

> > Many on this list feel very strongly AGAINST the

> voucher/scholarship/choice bill.

> >

> > I have friends on BOTH sides of that issue and am stuck in the

> middle myself. I just am not sure about it - thus I am neutral.

> >

> > But if the Arc of Texas has an Action Alert that I feel parents

> should be informed about - I'm going to forward it to this list.

> >

> > If Texas Autism Scholarships have an Action Alert they would

> like me to post on this list - I will forward that post as well.

> >

> > Texas Autism Advocacy, this list, the website, - will never be

> run by anyone other than the parents subscribed to it..

> >

> > The information is for you - most times by you - and always to

> educate you.

> >

> > I can't say anything more than that.

> >

> > I want everyone to know that Texas Autism Advocacy is the place

> to go in Texas for information, resources, and support.

> >

> > A big part of that is Advocacy - and I want listmates and

> subscribers to always know that both sides will be represented - on

> any issue that affects our children, and our families - in Texas -

> and Nationwide.

> >

> > Anyone is welcome to submit to this list an opposing view to

> that Action Alert. It is from the Arc of Texas - not me. I felt I

> made that clear in the parenthesis part - and in including Rona

> Statsman's e-mail address at the top.

> >

> > I don't play politics - as I said - I don't even know enough to

> know how.

> >

> > In forwarding things to inform you - I will always err on the

> side of too much information rather than not enough.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> > M. Guppy

> >

> > M. Guppy

> > Don't tell God how big your storm is - tell the storm how big

your

> God is! 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. "

> >

April 19, 2007

As far as I know, this bill has nothing to do with creating private schools for

autism. Parents can go to other public schools or private schools that already

exist and the parent wants their child to go there. Homeschoolers whose

children are being treated so poorly that they are afraid to have them in that

environment all day will benefit as well. This bill is not intended to

monitor or regulate a private school, the parent who chooses that school would

already have checked it out and want their child there. It is not really any

kind of " private school " type benefit plan. If it passes, most parents would

use it by moving their child to another public school that they believe can meet

their child's needs better. Hope this helps clear that up! Once again, I heard

alot of this " double-talk " from the school district people that day in Austin

when we testified and I believe it is just meant to confuse parents on the

issue.

Re: Re: From Guppy: Clarification on

the post about the Voucher Bill