FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 23, 1998
Tourette Association Of New Jersey
Opposes Special Ed Code Changes
The Tourette Syndrome Association
of New Jersey has announced their aggressive opposition to
the Proposed Special Education Code changes currently under
review by the State Board of Education and scheduled for vote
on Wednesday March 4, 1998.
The changes under consideration
would redefine "neurologically impaired" children to apply
only to those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury,
significantly limiting the number of children who will qualify
for special education. The result of this action will impact
children with Tourette syndrome and other neurological impairments
by depriving them of the needed attention of specially trained
staff and services that are now available. A secondary impact
will be realized by mainstreamed students whose teachers will
be forced to otter special attention to students with special
needs.
"Our children are our future;
they should not be held hostage to a short sighted budget
oriented proposal that will have a long term devastating Impact
on New Jersey's children with special needs. stated Faith
Rice, president of Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey.
Inc. Mrs. Rice urged all parents to call or write their legislators
and members of the State Board of Education and implore them
to ask the State Board to revisit the proposed change. This
change will reduce the quality of education for every student
in New Jersey's public schools Children with Tourette Syndrome
and others with similar neurological Impairments will be denied
their thorough and efficient education as will the mainstreamed
students. Everyone will be a loser for the sake of arbitrary
budget cutting, she concluded.
There have been in excess
of 1200 parents and educators who have sent or presented written
testimony regarding the proposed change and their response
has been overwhelmingly negative. The recommendation of Tourette
Syndrome Association of New Jersey, Inc. is to return the
Proposed Changes to the Department of Education for major
revision.
The State Board of Education
may be reached at River View Executive Plaza. Post Office
Box 500. Trenton. New Jersey 08625-0500.
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