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I just learned about a bill, HB2427, at the #AZLeg that I wanted to talk about, and why I, as a special needs parent, support it.
First, a brief explainer. When your child has special needs they are entitled to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In my child's case, at his 1st school in Kinder a few years ago, we weren't sure we had the right fit and looked into open enrollment midway through the year.
I spent hours researching open enrollment. We were public school people. I wasn't even looking at private schools then. I talked to other moms & heard about many different schools w/ different curricula & class sizes, many of which sounded like they could be a better fit.
I arranged to attend a tour at the first school. It was amazing. Smaller class sizes (perfect for ADHD!), adorable outdoor art area, specialized science/tech labs, wiggle chairs in every class. It all seemed TAILOR MADE for my son.
I asked how I could apply for open enrollment.
Then they asked for my son's IEP.
Then they asked for my son's IEP.
My heart sank. If you don't understand why, let me explain. Under current law, the school would have the option to determine whether seats *and* resources were available for my child.
Evaluating his IEP meant one additional hurdle that neurotypical children do not have when choosing a school through open enrollment.
Having one more hurdle for kids with special needs, who have already gone through the IEP process, who get therapies & accommodations in school already, working hard to keep up with their classmates on a daily basis as it is, hardly seems fair.
If anything maybe kids with IEPs should be at the TOP of the list for open enrollment. But I digress.
I was frightened off by that. That's on me. It was mid-year and I thought, let's just see how the rest of the year goes.
HB2427 would level the playing field for kids with a 504 or IEP who wish to participate in open enrollment. And I love that idea.
HB2427 would level the playing field for kids with a 504 or IEP who wish to participate in open enrollment. And I love that idea.
If you'd like to read more from another parent who is an amazing advocate for inclusion and a true expert in this field, my friend and former colleague @azkarla wrote the commentary below about the bill. https://www.redefinedonline.org/2021/05/commentary-prioritize-students-not-programs-when-legislating-open-enrollment-2/?fbclid=IwAR3ZcOGPUSXCUkjzS9BpnOajCFBbJ92sN8bg5qG_vWsIPbPh3VqHZlUOYpI
(Don't miss the internally linked op-ed from the Capitol Times either, by Veronica Ragland. Her neurotypical daughter was accepted by 3 schools for open enrollment; her daughter with special needs: rejected by all three.) https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/public-school-open-enrollment-needs-to-be-truly-open/
