A resource for PTA and parent involvement project ideas
What is the possiblity of having a Special Needs chair...........
I would like to propose that National PTA suggest or strongly recommend that each state have a special Needs Chair, similar to how NPTA suggested the Male Involvement Chair this past year. As a parent of the 3 children with special needs I do not feel many states and subsequently local units will take the needs of children with unique learning styles serious until NPTA shows a serious effort in doing this. Based on the research I have seen 13.6% students in the 2006-2007 school year were receiving special needs services. This does not account for the gifted or the students who may have a medical diagnosis but do not fit the states criteria of needing services. I think all learning styles and all children, whether it is gifted or special ed, need to be addressed and represented from the National level to state and local units. In my own local area many SPED parents may be members of their local unit, but choose not to participate because of the unique needs of the child and the needs not being understood. While a SEPTA is a great resource and a fabulous opportunity it is important to also promote inclusion in the local unit level.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alison Davis on -
I like it! I mistakenly thought this was already happening for each state and on the National committee?
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Permalink Reply by Cyndi White on -
I think the title of this position needs to be chosen so as not to embarrass the students. Maybe the title could be called "Services Chair" which would include:Special Needs, Gifted and Talented, ESOL, etc. Maybe even Services Co-Chairs so that one of each of the groups mentioned would have a representative.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Aley on
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I don't know.......I think it is a great concept but I think "Services Chair" is too broad and not defined well enough. I think the name of the position needs to make it pretty clear the role.........Refelctions Chair, Male Involvement Chair, Student Involvement, etc. Maybe Special Involvement Chair...........I just thinking out loud. Also I think each state would have to determine if it was a chair or VP position. I don't know that each group would need their own chair. I think that might be redundant. Just my thoughts though...
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Aley on
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After reading on another topic on the PTA boards what about having a SAGE (special and gifted eduction) committee or VP. What a great way to show that even children with unique and special learning styles still have a place in PTA. SAGE is wonderful opportunity to recognize both special and gifted children. A SAGE at National and at the state level can help show that all children are important regardless of how they learn. I am not sure but I think this could fall both under Field Service and Programs. This is a great way to promote inclusion and include all children, gifted and special needs.
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Permalink Reply by Charles Nance on -
As a President of a SEPTA I must whole heartedly agree. We need a Chair or VP for Special Needs.
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Permalink Reply by Myrdin Thompson on
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Elizabeth, we are fortunate here in KY to have a SEPTA in Oldham County and the president of that unit serves on our KY PTA board (as part of our legislative committee). We also here in our district (15th District PTA, 48,955 members, 99,000students in the public school system) have an ECE chair on our board who liasons with the district and assists our members who have ECE inquires and issues. We were just discussing this at our district board meeting last night that many parents do join their school pta/ptsa but may not feel completely engaged on an advocacy level because of their child's individual needs (ie, the pta may do fundraising or programming and while it is for all the students it doesn't necessarily address specific issues). One of our goals as a district is to provide workshops, forums, etc to our SEPTA parents and families so they can better navigate the school system as well as understand that they are represented.
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