Advocacy

The Liaison Committee represents the Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) in its advocacy for students with learning disabilities.  The Liaison Committee co-chairs represent CLD on the Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).  The advocacy of this group is a powerful national voice for all individuals with any type of disability.  The website www.c-c-d.org provides up to date information on current national initiatives.

June 18, 2019–GAO Report on Restraint and Seclusion – The U.S. Government Accountability Office has issued a report regarding inaccuracies in federal restraint and seclusion data. For more information, click here.

Covid 19 Legislative Updates:

SLD & Eligibility Under IDEA: Practice and Policy July 2019

In collaboration with our six partners, Council for Learning Disabilities is proud to announce the release of three new resources to help states and districts improve the evaluation process.   The Principles for SLD Eligibility: Practice & Policy Considerations for States and School Districts (Click here to read the paper) released in July 2019, was a joint effort of CLD and their ten partners.  Recognizing that some of the eight principles in that paper lent themselves to further elaboration, we developed these three more robust resources on three of the principles:

  • A Comprehensive Evaluation for a Child Suspected to Have SLD
  • Effective Use of Instructional Response Data in an Evaluation
  • Selective Use of Data on Cognitive Assessments Within an Evaluation

The three more comprehensive resources released today highlight policy and practice considerations that can support the implementation of these joint principles and encourage districts to move toward high-quality identification and evaluation processes.

       Read each of the three new resources.

While each state has its own process for determining eligibility for special education under the SLD category and though we do not endorse a particular method for identification, there is room for improvement.  Regardless of the model they use, it is imperative that states and districts continue to examine their practices and policies in an effort to better serve students.

CCD Statement on Court Decision March 7, 2019

Click Here for the entire statement.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities‘ Education Task Force, of which CLD is an active participant, issued a statement supporting the recent court decision ruling against the U.S. Department of Education’s delay of regulations to reduce disproportionate special education identification, placement, and discipline for students of color.

December 18, 2018–School Safety Commission Report

The School Safety Commission Report was released Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Click here to access the report. Please note that there is serious concern in the disability community regarding the recommendation in the report to rescind the 2014 guidance that protects the civil rights of students of color and those with disabilities. This is especially important in regard to suspensions and expulsions.

July 31, 2018–Perkins IV Reauthorized

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)has been reauthorized. On July 31, 2018, the President of the United States signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) into law. Perkins V will go into effect on July 1, 2019.
For more information.

July 2018–ADA Anniversary Proclamation

On the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we celebrate this historic legislation, which echoed our Nation’s founding promise to recognize and secure the equal rights of all men and women. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to cultivate further opportunities for all Americans to live full and independent lives, and recognize the many contributions enabled by the expanded participation of Americans with disabilities in our society. Click here for access to the entire White House Proclamation (ADA Proclamation).

November 2017. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Tell Congress to Extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program!

Health coverage for millions of children enrolled in the Children’s Health Program is at-risk. The program expired at the end of September and its money is about to run out. Congress must act quickly to renew this critical program that provides immunizations, check-ups, and other care for children with and without disabilities whose families do not qualify for Medicaid. Nearly one in every two children with special health care needs relies on CHIP and Medicaid to access care and other health supports. Children enrolled in CHIP could lose their coverage if Congress doesn’t act soon. Legislation to address this problem is currently being considered in Congress. Your voice is needed to continue this important program.

November 15, 2017–President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent of Nominee for OSERS Assistant Secretary.

Johnny Collett of Kentucky, to be the Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Mr. Collett is the Director of Special Education Outcomes at the Council of Chief State School Officers. In this role, he supports states in their work to raise expectations and improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. He previously served as Director of the Division of Learning Services and State Director of Special Education at the Kentucky Department of Education. In this role, he provided oversight to a division that included special education, as well as other program areas such as English Learners, gifted and talented, response to intervention, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the Kentucky School for the Deaf. He also served on the board of directors of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, serving a partial term as secretary-treasurer of the board. Mr. Collett also served in various other roles, including exceptional children consultant, assistant division director, and acting division director. Prior to working at the Kentucky Department of Education, he was a high school special education teacher. Mr. Collett is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, and Georgetown College (KY).

October 2017:  NCLD Report: State of Learning Disabilities, Understanding the 1 in 5

The recently released NCLD Report, State of Learning Disabilities:  Understanding the 1 in 5 is free and can be found online at ncld.org/StateofLD. The data point to the progress that has been made for students with learning disabilities but also points to the number of students whose needs are not being met.  A recommendation is made for more early intervention for students.  In addition to the data, the report includes personal stories, interactive displays, printable resources, and innovative approaches to reaching students with learning disabilities.

ESSA Fact Sheet

The US Department of Education has released the final regulations for The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). CLD’s Liaison Committee Co-chairs Roberta Strosnider and Debi Gartland attended an Ed Dept meeting on Dec 1st in which the ESSA regulations were highlighted. For the recently released Fact Sheet and remember to bookmark the following to keep up with ESSA: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/index.html

ADA Anniversary

Excerpt from the White House Press Release Regarding ADA—

White House ADA Reception

The President spoke on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act  Monday, July 20, during a reception in the East Room. At this event, he met with disability rights advocates, next generation leaders, and lawmakers who contributed to the passage of this transformative law. He also noted his very personal connection to disability when he discussed his father-in-law’s experiences with multiple sclerosis before the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Senate Passes Hatch, Murray Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary (Washington, D.C.) –
The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution from U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.