Task Force on Inclusion and Accountability Gets an F for Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Language and Speech Impairments

The Inclusion and Accountability Task Force was set-up to address the inclusion of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners. Having sat through both the phone conversations and the task force meeting, I can say they barely mentioned the 90% of the students with disabilities. All 4 parents on the task force represented students with more significant disabilities -- Williams Syndrome, Downs Syndrome (2 parents) and Autism - and for all intensive purposes, they excluded students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and speech and language impairments.

All these students with significant disabilities and their parents could and should have been included in one of the two task forces, but they were the only parents representing either Exceptional Student Education or Students with Disabilities

Left out of the discussion were students with learning disabilities, ADHD and speech and language impairments

Click here to read the conclusions of the Task Force on Inclusion and Accountability

As Co-President of the Learning Disabilities Association, a Parent Advocate for the National Center for Learning Disabilities and an Advocate for Students with Learning Disabilities, I am not just upset, I am downright furious.

This is not about me. This is about the 200,000 kids whose concerns are not being addressed. I welcome input from parents, advocates, professionals and others.

This is the 3rd time our kids have been left out of the mix.

1- When the School Grading System was started, Students with Disabilities were left out of the Performance Grading System

2- When Florida got a waiver to raise the subgroup size from 30 to 100 in 2006, students with disabilities in half our schools were excluded from the Federal Adequate Yearly Progress program

3- Now, the Florida Department of Education has excluded our kids one more time from the discussion

Unacceptable and we need to work together to right the ship

You can contact me at markhalpertldafl@gmail.com, or at 561-361-7495

Together, let's make the difference

Task Force on Inclusion and Accountability and Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with Learning Disabilities were barely discussed at the Task Force on Inclusion and Accountability.

As Co-President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Florida and a Parent Advocate for the National Center for Learning Disabilities I was very concerned. Then I looked at the Florida Department of Education Strategic Plan, and saw no mention of Students with Learning Disabilities

Then I decided to look at the School Grading Program -- Florida's A+ Program. Not mentioned there either.

Then I looked at the Grade 3 FCAT scores for students with learning disabilities -- 73% were at Levels 1 and 2, before the scoring changes -- expect that number to be over 80% in 2012

Tallahassee we have a problem!!!

Dramatically improving performance for students with Specific Learning Disabilities will take a fundamental shift in priorities, systems and implementation.

I am not an optimist, but there are signs things will change. When they do I will be the first to toast those who make the changes. Until then, we need to beat the drums and make sure our kids get the priority and education they deserve