Bridget Hayman
Director of Communications
Advocates Respond to ISBE Findings on CPS Special Education Policies and Practices
Today advocates welcomed the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) findings of systematic problems in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) provision of services to students with disabilities. We look forward to ISBE’s recommendations for correction action, which are expected at its next meeting on May 16.
However, today’s findings failed to recognize the individual impact and suffering by CPS students with disabilities and their families. The ISBE final report also failed to find intent by CPS to specifically cut costs in special education.
Prior to today’s ISBE meeting, advocates had made recommendations to improve the landscape for special education in CPS. Our expectation is that ISBE will recognize the suffering of individual students and account for this as part of the final set of remedies.
The special education advocates’ coalition includes: Access Living; the Shriver Center on Poverty Law; Chicago Principals and Administrators Association; the Chicago Teachers Union; Parents 4 Teachers; Ounce of Prevention Fund; Legal Council for Health Justice; Raise Your Hand for IL Public Education; LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation); Equip For Equality; Potter and Bolanos, LLC; Matt Cohen and Associates; 19th Ward Parents for Special Education, and Sharon Weitzman Soltman.