You won't believe what I did today

[gynwhyver]

You guys won't believe this, but I testified today on behalf of the Arc of PA in front of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Education Committee regarding Chapter 14 Special Education re-authorization (our regs are up, and revisions have been proposed). Specifically, I testified to proposed changes to the restraint regulations (such as wanting "prone" restraints written back in, adding a 30 sec rule, that would allow staff to restrain a child repeatedly for up to 29 seconds, released, and grabbed again, over and over, without having to document it, without having to notify parents, without having to hold an IEP meeting, without having to report it to DPE.

It was such an amazing experience, especially when I got to contradict testimony from the teacher's association & union. They tried to say that children in other states *may* have died from prone restraints, but were unaware of any in PA. WELLL....that's either a lie, or they didn't bother to do their research, because last I checked, I found 3 children had died, 11 children had arms broken, 1 child had a broken leg, 1 had a broken nose, and there were multiple facial abrasions. This is what was reported in only 6 of 67 PA counties, and we know it's not accurate. They also tried to say the 30 second rule was necessary because "they have to document every time they grasp a child by the elbow. That's a restraint." Not according to the Children's Health Act of 2000, which says specifically that grasping a child by the elbow for safety reasons is a "guided hold" and is NOT considered a restraint. Federal law, baby.

Most likely I will be testifying again in front of the Senate, when the Senate weighs in.

Best of all, I put a face to a dangerous procedure. And I think my testimony was especially compelling given that my child had been a straight A student the previous year, didn't have a behavior plan, and was told she DIDN'T need one, yet was restrained and I still have no idea who was involved or what happened. And that's only one that I know of because her grandmother walked in on it. How many more times it may have happened I don't know, because they won't share that with me.

I was afraid to say anything before, because I didn't want to take a chance my district would find out (I've been super cautious) because I didn't want to give them a chance to try to discredit me before I got the chance to testify.

I've got other tricks up my sleeve, that will most likely have national repercussions, involving schools and $$$. Separate one from the other, and maybe, just maybe, they'll behave. I'll share more once it's a done deal, but if anyone is interested, and likes research, and wouldn't mind researching laws, I wouldn't mind some help. Just PM me.

Take care,

Gwyn

[tgrimes]

That is so awesome... I didn't even know there was 'live' testimony, I thought people only wrote their congresmen.
Just wondering if you know when the education subcomitte reconvenes to go over the NCLB, as it applies to special ed. I read something about them going over it before it gets a markup.
The reason, I want to write my local representative about the 'closet' issue, he is one of the education subcommittee, but I don't know if they convened or not yet, or how often that happens.
Anyway, last time I wrote him about something I did feel like I was heard, i got a relevant detailed letter back, not just some form letter.
Anyway, You GO girl!

[milivica]

Oh man...you are doing it! You are creating positive change, that is so cool!

Wow wow and wow.

I second that YOU GO GIRL!

That is soooooo impressive. You are really amazing. You must feel so proud, so accomplished. So what happens next, when do you know what was decided.

So darn cool, good job! These things you are doing now, will go on to help my children, if not then their children, then their children, and so on. Wonderful.

[peglem]

So, where do you go to change into your cape and tights, being as they've done away with phone booths? Wow, and wowee! I can try to do some research for you- don't know if I'm much good at it. But, PM me and let me know what you need looked up and I'll try.

[gynwhyver]

Grimey :D :

To answer some of your questions.

When Chapter 14 was revised (drafted) the first time, it was open to public discussion, in the form of "round tables," live meetings in various locations around the state that was open to anyone for public comment. (Of course, this wasn't widely advertised.). If you could not attend a public meeting you could send an email, letter, or fax with your concerns, recommendations. Advocacy organizations also submitted proposals for consideration. Based on feedback from the round tables, letters, etc. that were submitted, the "draft" was re-written, and then subject to public comment again. I'm not sure how many times this process was completed, but eventually it went before the IRRC (Regulatory Commission) for review and approval. Once it was approved there, the proposed regs then went before the House of Rep. Education Committe, which has "hearings" and weigh in with their opinion. To testify at this hearing, you must be "invited" by the House Education Committee. I've been working with the Arc since this past August on this (who are members of what's known as the VALUE Coalition, which is comprised of multiple advocacy agencies, who sent in a "draft" of their own (and worked with the Dept of Ed) some of which was incorporated into what we have now. The House will then make their recommendations, which the Dept of Ed will take into consideration for the final draft. Once the draft is done, I think (but am not yet sure) that the House must approve them, and then once the House approves them, they'll go to the Senate for another hearing (with testimony based on invitation) & then ratification.

I believe No Child Left Behind is following a similar procedure. Here's a link to the state NCLB info: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml?src=ln
If you click on the Reauthorization link, you can read the proposed changes.

If you click here - http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2007_08_10/2007_08_10.html - you can listen to hearings on NCLB that occurred this past August.

Here's another governmental link: http://edworkforce.house.gov/

I haven't looked at all the info here, but there's a link to how the National Education Association feels about NCLB and gives a link to a petition asking them to change NCLB: http://www.nea.org/esea/index.html

You can also find out what's going on in your state by pulling up your state's government page and looking up hearings. If you can't find anything, PM me your state and I'll look it up for you. Looks like public comment has been going on for awhile (again, of course not widely publicized).

If you really want to be heard, your best bet is to either get a few other parents together with similar views to yours and ask for a face-to-face meeting or get involved with an advocacy agency with similar views to yours. Strength in numbers (= votes) and all.

Take care,

Gwyn

[gynwhyver]

Peg:

You're too funny. I wish I had a cape and tights, and maybe the ability to go invisible. LOL. I've sent you a PM.

Gwyn

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

WAY TO GO!!!

Thanks for the update...I'm looking forward to the next few things to fall out of your sleeve!!!

Crossing everything!!

KJ

[RathyKay]

Way to go! You tell them!

I wish I had your energy and drive.

[gynwhyver]

Kristen:

Thanks! The next thing to "fall out of my sleeve" is to figure out what I'm going to be when I grow up. LOL. I'm going to be graduating soon with my bachelor's degree, and have no idea where to go from here. I wanted to the go clinical psych route, but found out it's harder to get into a clinical psych program than med school :eek:

What I'm thinking about doing now is going after my Masters in School Psychology (not to work in the schools, but so I can do independent school-based assessments) & Social Work (so I can continue to work on public policy), but I'm almost tempted to go the "attorney" route so I have the legal background/expertise to litigate. I'm really torn, and I'm not getting any younger. ;) Plus hubby REALLY hates his job and wants me to go back to work so he can quit his job and go back to school (I worked before, while he went to school, then after he got his associates degree, he went to work (not in his field) so I could go back to school. He's been working for the last almost 4 years in a job that is dangerous and he hates, and he wants his turn to go back to school now. LOL.) So I'm feeling pressured to not spend the next 6 years in school going after a specialized doctoral degree, but to get a Masters in 2-3 so I can work for someone who will PAY ME to get my doctorate while he goes to get his teaching degree.

Actually, now that I think about it, the very next thing to fall out of my sleeve will be my research project. I hand delivered the necessary forms to my campus, and as soon as I have approval, will begin doing a project involving children with autism, related services, and parental satisfaction with those services. For now, I'm only focusing on PA, but since it's an internet survey, it would be really easy to collect data from ALL over the country and then narrow it down to PA for the purposes of this project. I should know if I have approval by the end of next week! So hopefully I won't have to submit any more paperwork.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

OHHHHHHH WOW! CROSSING EVERYTHING!!!

Good luck!!!!

Let us know WHEN you get approval!!!

[Isabelle]

gwyn, you won my BIGGEST admiration.
Bravisimo !!!:D :D :D
Somebody has to stop these people from torturing and tormenting children,be NT or disabled :mad: :mad: