Susang1961@aol.com .

TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups

FROM: Susan Goodman, Director
Governmental Affairs

DATE: September 13, 2007

No Child Left Behind
on the Legislative Horizon

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was passed in 2002 is a law that, for the first time, makes schools accountable for the academic achievement of all students, including those with disabilities.

On August 27, 2007, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) Senior Republican Member of the Committee released part of a “discussion draft” of the reauthorization bill for NCLB. The rest of the draft was released on September 7, 2007. This draft is, according to the letter sent by the Committee, a “work-in-progress subject to change over the weeks the Committee moves a bill through the legislative process.” The Senate has not released a comparable document.

There are positive provisions in the discussion draft of the bill that would improve instruction and assessment and close a major loophole affecting accountability for students with disabilities. However, there are other provisions which are very concerning. In partnership with NDSS, we have issued comments to the House Committee on Education and Labor that say these provisions “threaten to erode the accountability that has been the cornerstone of NCLB as a piece of landmark legislation. They are designed to make it easier for schools, districts and States to make AYP (adequate yearly progress), instead of improving AYP results by advancing high standards in instruction and assessment.” We are especially concerned about provisions that would erode the right of many students with intellectual disabilities to have access to the general education curriculum.

This means, in part, that all children should have access to standards-based curriculum and should be assessed annually to determine the percentage of students who are proficient in math and reading. This calculation is made for all the students at a school in total, but is also calculated separately for certain subgroups including students with disabilities. For an excellent resource on how NCLB and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should work together to benefit students with disabilities, go to http://education.umn.edu/nceo/OnlinePubs/Parents.pdf

We will keep you apprised of progress of this law. To read the press releases published by the Committee, go to http://edworkforce.house.gov/
***************************************************************

Help Spread the News!
 
The NDSC’s Governmental Affairs Newsline is an excellent resource and one we encourage you to share with your parent group affiliate, or personal, listserv.
(If you no longer wish to receive these email updates, please go to our website, and click on “Contact Us”.)
 
Support Our Advocacy Work!
 
************************************************************************
 
How to Join the NDSC
 
Founded in 1972, the NDSC is the oldest national organization for persons with Down syndrome, their parents, siblings and the professionals who work with them. The Congress is known for its advocacy, its encouragement of self-advocate empowerment and leadership, as well as its many services, including Down Syndrome News, the Governmental Affairs Newsline, hosting the nation’s largest DS convention (July 11-13, 2008 in Boston, MA) and its toll-free information and resource hotline.
 
Annual dues are just $25, and may be paid online at www.ndsccenter.org; over the phone at 800/232-6372; or by mail at 1370 Center Drive, Suite 102; Atlanta, GA 30338.
 
Please join us as we continue “Making a difference, one family at a time”!
 
                    ************************************************************************

If you have questions or comments about this Newsline, please contact Susang1961@aol.com. We are always glad to receive comments and answer questions.