Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993 TAG: 9305290140
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELIZABETH THIEL LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The state Education Department got more than 3,000 letters and heard from 1,600 angry parents at public hearings across the state.
"During the course of public hearings, it became apparent that the perception of many parents is that the proposed regulation changes would result in a diminished role for parents," board President James P. Jones said in a written statement. "I am sure that this was not the intended purpose of the changes.
"Nevertheless, it is clear that the proposed regulations need further review and consideration."
The board directed Superintendent Joseph Spagnolo and his staff to come back with something less controversial.
Parents' main objection was that the new rules would have allowed schools to change the services they offered to special-education students without first getting parents' written permission.
The new rules also would have allowed schools to make less detailed the individual education plans teachers must now draft for each special-education student.
Many parents also were angry because they didn't hear about the proposed changes to the regulations until it was almost too late.
"We need to work on communications, so the parents can be involved," said Vickie Boykin, a Newport News parent who spoke to the board Wednesday.
Spagnolo pushed for the changes to the special-education regulations because superintendents have complained for years that the strict state rules put too much of a burden on local school divisions. Spagnolo said that he was not trying to take away parents' rights, but that he wanted to bring state rules in line with less stringent federal regulations.
Some parents and special-education experts said that would mean trouble for parents, who have fought hard to force their local school divisions to offer the kinds of services their children need to be successful in school, such as translators for deaf students.
Spagnolo said he understood the board's decision.
"I think it's the right thing to do," he said.
But Boykin said the board's move did not reassure her.
"I don't trust them, because they didn't give us any kind of notice," she said. "The communication is just horrible."
by CNB