Winter 2009 • Vol
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Winter 2009 • Vol. 32, Issue 1 ACESETTER PA news magazine of PACER Center, Inc. by and for parents of children and young adults with disabilities Changes in IDEA involve parents’ rights New regulations of the federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) became effective Dec. 31, 2008. IDEA provides a free, appropri‑ ate public education for children with disabilities. Two changes of particular impor‑ tance to parents of children with dis‑ abilities involve: • a parent’s right to revoke con‑ Frankie Valli sent for special education and related services PACER’s 27th Benefit features • representation of parents and schools by non‑attorneys in due pro‑ Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons cess hearings “Oh, What a Night” it will be when Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons bring Since the passage of the first special their soaring harmonies to PACER Center’s 27th Annual Benefit on Saturday, education laws in 1975, parents have May 2, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. had the right to withdraw consent for With the smash hit Broadway musical “Jersey Boys,” based on the group’s special education services. However, rise to fame, the music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons is as popular as ever. school districts also had the right to The 2006 Tony Award‑winning musical chronicles the rags‑to‑riches story of the contest the parent’s decision. four New Jersey boys who worked their way to stardom. The new regulations allow parents A sampling of the group’s many hits include “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” to revoke their consent for special “My Eyes Adore You,” and “Who Loves You.” education and related services and re‑ Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, Frankie Valli & the quire the school district to comply with Four Seasons’ superb songwriting, doo‑wap harmonies, and the three‑octave the parent’s request for the student’s range of lead vocalist Frankie Valli continue to captivate audiences. The group removal from special education. Con‑ has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. sequently, schools will not be able to “People of all ages are excited about seeing Frankie Valli & the Four Sea‑ challenge a parent’s decision through sons,” says Paula F. Goldberg, PACER executive director. “This will be a night mediation or due process hearing. to remember.” Parents, however, must provide In addition to the group’s performance, Benefit tickets also include silent and written consent to discontinue spe‑ live auctions. A pre‑Benefit gourmet dinner is available by separate ticket. The cial education and related services. fun continues at a postconcert patron party for people purchasing Benefit tickets Schools must provide the parents of $140 or more. with prior written notice detailing the Benefit co‑chairs are Patrice Alkire, Jessica Broyles, Danna Mirviss, Colleen changes in educational placement and McGough Wood, and Judy Schumeister. Silent Auction co‑chairs are Michele services before the services are actually Heimes, Sarah Meeks, and Julie and Don McNeil. discontinued. Proceeds from the Benefit support PACER Center programs for children with Parents should be aware that once disabilities and their families. To reserve tickets for the Benefit, visit PACER.org the child is removed(Continued from special on page 2) or call 952‑838‑9000. (Continued on page 2) Visit www.PACER.org BENEFIT RESERVATIONS To reserve your tickets for the 2009 PACER Benefit featuringFrankie Valli & the Four Seasons, please complete the form below and fax or mail it to PACER Center. Reservations can also be made at PACER’s Web site (PACER.org) or by telephoning 952-838-9000. Name: Benefit Tickets: Address: Please send me: City: State: Zip: 1 (# of) $55 Friend Phone: (H) (W) (# of) $851 Supporter E-mail: 2 (# of) $140 Patron* If you wish to sit with friends, the reservations must arrive at the same time. (# of) $2002 Benefactor* (# of) $2753 Sponsor* I need: Wheelchair seating (number of spaces) Sign language interpretation (# of) $5503 Champion* Assistive listening device Other Total amount: $ My checks, separate for the Benefit and dinner, are made payable to PACER Center and Dinner Tickets ($95 per person) are enclosed. (Tickets will be mailed April 24.) Number of tickets: Total amount: $ Total charge $ to VISA Mastercard AmEx Discover Other Contribution/ # Exp. Volunteer Opportunities Please contact me about: I am unable to attend the Benefit. Please accept my gift: check charge donating $550 $275 $200 $140 $85 $55 Other: (item) to the Silent Auction Many companies match gifts. Please ask your employer for a matching gift form and enclose it with your contribution or ticket order. being a Corporate Sponsor (including ticket package and ad) Names of persons for whom you are purchasing tickets (including yourself): advertising in the Benefit Playbill volunteering on a Benefit committee Tax values are listed in the following categories: 1 = $40 value; 2 = $50 value; 3 = $60 value. The ticket price in excess of the value is tax deductible. * Includes post-performance patron champagne and dessert party Please mail or fax to: PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044 Fax: (952) 838-0199 Changes in IDEA involve parents’ rights (Continued from page 1) education services, the school is not requirements for graduation. be an initial evaluation. required to remove references to • The child will be required to The new regulations also clarify special education in a child’s records. follow the same discipline policies as that schools and parents may utilize Parents can still request amendments regular education students. non‑attorneys in due process hearings to anything in the records that might • Accommodations permitted to a if a state does not already have laws be inaccurate or misleading. student on an Individualized Educa‑ prohibiting it. In Minnesota, this is Parents should consider the follow‑ tion Program (IEP) for statewide not addressed in special education ing additional facts when revoking accountability and graduation‑re‑ law or regulations. their consent to their child’s special quired assessments will no longer be The full text of these regulations education services: available when a student exits special can be viewed at PACER.org/legisla‑ • When a parent withdraws con‑ education. tion/news.asp. Parents who would sent, the student and parent no longer • If the parent withdraws consent like to discuss withdrawing consent have rights under IDEA. The student and the child is removed from special may call PACER at 952‑838‑9000 becomes a regular education student education, the parent at any time may and speak with a parent advocate. and will be required to meet all state request an evaluation, which will then 2 PACESETTER – WINTER 2009 Call (952) 838-9000 Roberta Mann Benson honored by PACER Center The PACER Leadership Award was on Oct. 12, and the award was Name: presented to Roberta Mann Benson presented at a reception honor‑ on Oct. 12, 2008 for her dedication ing her graduation. Address: to educate professionals and families Hundreds of parents and City: State: Zip: about mental health needs and learning professionals alike praised the Phone: (H) (W) disabilities. 2008 Symposium: Mann Benson developed and con‑ “I love the new ideas to help E-mail: If you wish to sit with friends, the reservations must arrive at the same time. tinues to sponsor the annual National my two children with disabili‑ Ted and Roberta Mann Foundation ties. Also, as an educator, I will I need: Wheelchair seating (number of spaces) Sign language interpretation Symposium, which this year was at‑ take these ideas and techniques tended by 900 educators and families. into the classroom. Profound Assistive listening device Other “Roberta’s vision, exemplary lead‑ thanks!” ership, creativity, commitment and “One of the best workshops My checks, separate for the Benefit and dinner, are made payable to PACER Center and passion have truly made a difference I’ve gone to and I am an expe‑ are enclosed. (Tickets will be mailed April 24.) in the world,” says Paula F. Goldberg, rienced teacher of 35 years.” Paula F. Goldberg (L) and Roberta Mann Benson PACER’s executive director. Total charge $ to VISA Mastercard AmEx Discover “We applaud her strong, caring # Exp. advocacy for children and adults with Couple’s bequest honors PACER mental health needs and learning dis‑ After receiving assistance I am unable to attend the Benefit. Please accept my gift: check charge abilities.” from PACER many years $550 $275 $200 $140 $85 $55 Other: Mann Benson received her Ph.D. in ago, Rosemary Fish became Many companies match gifts. Please ask your employer for a matching gift form and education from St. Mary’s University a longtime, dedicated PACER enclose it with your contribution or ticket order. volunteer. Now she and her husband, Marvin, are lending Names of persons for whom you are purchasing tickets (including yourself): additional support by naming Pacesetter PACER in their will. Published by PACER Center, Inc. Three times a year “Nothing comes close to Circulation: 109,000 PACER for getting the job ©2008 by PACER Center done for a family with a 8161 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044 child who has special needs,” Voice: 952-838-9000 TTY: (952) 838-0190 Rosemary says. “That’s why Toll-free: 800-537-2237 (Minnesota) we feel so strongly about in‑ Toll-free: 888-248-0822 (National) cluding PACER in our will.” FAX: 952-838-0199 Leslie, Rosemary, and Marvin Fish. E-mail: [email protected] Rosemary turned to PAC‑ PACER Executive Director: ER when her daughter, Leslie, ity, and their gift will provide for Paula F. Goldberg who has special needs, was young. many children with disabilities in the Senior Editor/Writer: Julie Holmquist She remembers attending a workshop future,” says Mary Schrock, PACER’s Writer-Editor: Marcia Kelly and later gaining specific help with PACER Center expands opportunities and enhances chief operating and development the quality of life for children and young adults with Leslie’s schooling when she encoun‑ officer.