Hello, and welcome to this crucial blog series. If you’ve been paying attention to recent legal decisions, you know that the urgency to improve Special Education has never been more palpable. The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools has opened new doors for families to advocate for equitable education for their children with disabilities, and it’s high time we walked through them.
We’re not here for empty discussions. This call to action is fueled by a broken system that needs immediate fixing. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are our tools for pinpointing what matters and driving transformative change. No more tick boxes, no more delaying—every minute we waste is a minute our students can’t afford to lose.
The Perez v. Sturgis Case: A New Paradigm
The Supreme Court ruling in March of 2023 has redrawn the lines between the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It allows parents and families to sue schools under ADA policy without first sifting through the IDEA’s exhaustive administrative process.
Why is this significant? Because it amplifies the voices of families, enabling them to demand meaningful, equitable changes. It’s a call to action for educators, parents, and community members to use this newfound leverage to reshape our educational system.
Why Inclusion Rate Matters More Now Than Ever
Given this monumental shift, our focus on KPIs like the Inclusion Rate takes on even more urgency. Historically, students with disabilities have struggled to get the educational opportunities they deserve. Inclusion—a principle enshrined in IDEA but often poorly executed—must be our first point of overhaul.
The tragic case of Miguel Perez, a deaf student who received modified grades but not the appropriate support, underlines the flaws in our current approach. No more. We can’t allow misleading grading systems and inadequate support to dictate our students’ futures.
Next Steps
Armed with the power of KPIs and inspired by the Perez v. Sturgis decision, we have a moral and legal imperative to act. And act now. Over the next few weeks, we’ll dissect each critical KPI, explaining why it matters, how to measure it, and what actionable steps we can all take to make immediate and lasting change. This isn’t just another blog series; this is a battle plan. Stay tuned, and get ready to roll up your sleeves.
We’ve seen what the law can do to advance our cause. Now, let’s see what we can do.
#CallToAction #EducationEquity #SpecialEducationAdvocacy #InclusionMatters #PerezVSturgis #JusticeForAllStudents
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