| SEARCH OnWEAC |
|---|
The Special Education Coalition has asked the Legislature to renew its commitment to help special needs children receive a quality education.
The statewide coalition, composed of various education groups including WEAC, called on a legislative committee to support Senate Bill 342, which would re-establish the state’s commitment to fund 63% of school district special education costs. That commitment was eliminated in the state’s last biennial budget.
“The current system forces districts to choose between special education and regular education,” according to a coalition news release. “Districts are required to fund special education, which means they often divert funds from regular education programs to special education. The result is often a lack of funds to adequately provide a good education for anyone. We are asking the Legislature help districts make sure that all children, no matter what their needs, receive a top quality education.”
The coalition also requested a Legislative Council study on better ways to fund special education.
“A study could help districts provide that quality education for all children,” WEAC Legislative Consultant Tricia Yates said.
Posted February 23, 2000