12-10-2004, 04:10 PM
http://www.townsendtimes.com/Stories/0,1...94,00.html
Antonioni files bills to help special education students
By Jennifer Fenn
State House Bureau
Friday, December 10, 2004 - BOSTON -- Sen. Robert Antonioni has filed a series of education bills for next session that would specifically help special education and preschool students.
One bill would require the state to apply for a waiver from the federal government that would allow children with autism to receive intensive services in their homes or communities.
Antonioni said the waiver means the federal government would reimburse the state for 50 percent of the cost of those services.
"It's my understanding school systems are facing significant increases of students with autism," Antonioni said. "These children often require specialized services to address their different learning needs. The research shows when they receive intensive coordinated services, they can thrive academically, socially and communicationwise."
Antonioni has also filed legislation that would require the Department of Education to establish and administer a grant program to provide financial support to special education parent advisory councils to support their duties, including outreach activities.
Also related to special education, Antonioni filed a bill that would require the Department of Education to hire five regional attorneys to handle special education compliance cases for children whose families do not have the means to afford their own attorney. In many cases, Antonioni said those families rely on the school district's attorney to represent their interests.
"There is an inherent conflict of interest because the school districts are looking to preserve resources and in many cases are not usually disposed to provide additional resources," Antonioni said.
Other bills filed would:
* Establish an advisory council to the new board of early education and care. The members would represent a system of publicly and privately funded early education and care programs from birth to school age.
* Require utility rate hearings by the Department of Telecommunication and Energy to be held in the service area affected by the rate change.
* Fulfill a mandate by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to lay out the details of the conservation restriction for Sholan Farms in Leominster through legislation. Antonioni said the state wanted the conservation restriction in legislation so there would be no questions about which parcels were included.
Antonioni files bills to help special education students
By Jennifer Fenn
State House Bureau
Friday, December 10, 2004 - BOSTON -- Sen. Robert Antonioni has filed a series of education bills for next session that would specifically help special education and preschool students.
One bill would require the state to apply for a waiver from the federal government that would allow children with autism to receive intensive services in their homes or communities.
Antonioni said the waiver means the federal government would reimburse the state for 50 percent of the cost of those services.
"It's my understanding school systems are facing significant increases of students with autism," Antonioni said. "These children often require specialized services to address their different learning needs. The research shows when they receive intensive coordinated services, they can thrive academically, socially and communicationwise."
Antonioni has also filed legislation that would require the Department of Education to establish and administer a grant program to provide financial support to special education parent advisory councils to support their duties, including outreach activities.
Also related to special education, Antonioni filed a bill that would require the Department of Education to hire five regional attorneys to handle special education compliance cases for children whose families do not have the means to afford their own attorney. In many cases, Antonioni said those families rely on the school district's attorney to represent their interests.
"There is an inherent conflict of interest because the school districts are looking to preserve resources and in many cases are not usually disposed to provide additional resources," Antonioni said.
Other bills filed would:
* Establish an advisory council to the new board of early education and care. The members would represent a system of publicly and privately funded early education and care programs from birth to school age.
* Require utility rate hearings by the Department of Telecommunication and Energy to be held in the service area affected by the rate change.
* Fulfill a mandate by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to lay out the details of the conservation restriction for Sholan Farms in Leominster through legislation. Antonioni said the state wanted the conservation restriction in legislation so there would be no questions about which parcels were included.