
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 31, 1993                   TAG: 9306010227
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DON'T DENY QUALITY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

MANY PEOPLE have said that if more parents were involved with their children's schools, the quality of education would be improved. That is one reason I find it so hard to believe that the Department of Education would want to decrease the amount of parental involvement in special-education programs. If parents aren't involved in their child's evaluations, some of the child's abilities may be overlooked.

My son will be in a special-education program, and my husband and I will be included in his education. He has been a fighter since he was born. At one point, we were told he would never communicate. Now, at 15 months old, due to his hard work and that of qualified therapists, he voices words and is becoming quite fluent in sign language. I would hate to think that all his work would be rewarded by receiving minimum quality of education once he enters public schools.

Children are the future, which includes those with special needs. These children deserve the maximum of education possible to help them become as independent and productive as possible.

MICY R. LYNCH-CLEMENTS\ ROANOKE

by CNB