Students with disabilities left out — again

Students with disabilities left out — again
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestvoices/index.html
May 17, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Race to the Top
Posted by Letters editor
Students with disabilities left out — again
We applaud the state’s efforts to seek $250 million in federal grants, but question why students with disabilities have been left out. ["Race to the Top education grants: a tipping point for Washington students," Opinion, May 14.]
Among the goals for “all Washington students” is attaining “high academic standards regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender.” The glaring omission from this list of protected classes is students with disabilities.
This disregard for students with disabilities tracks with the Legislature’s recent report from the Achievement Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, which examined Washington’s education record to discern why “academic achievement is highly correlated to students’ race, ethnicity, and economic circumstances.”
Why does our state “forget” about students with disabilities? Why are these students not considered when talk turns to giving all students equal opportunity to access quality education? In our state, students with disabilities lack consistent access to the general-education curriculum and those who show giftedness frequently are denied entry into advanced learning classrooms.
We urge our state education leaders and legislators to stop underestimating the potential of our most vulnerable students. Many are children who can succeed when given appropriate supports and access to challenging academics. Do not leave students with disabilities behind as you are racing to the top.
— Janet Anderson, president of Seattle Special Ed PTSA, Seattle

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