- Target:
- Citizens of Pinellas County
- Region:
- United States of America
This petition has been closed now. I will post information here next week with an update of results of this effort. Thank you to all the supporters of this effort!
Some schools in Pinellas County offer inclusive environments. Some work, while others fail. We the residents of Pinellas County are asking that public schools (K -12) give children with disabilities the opportunity for Inclusive Education.
This new district level program will provide children with all levels of developmental disabilities the opportunity to be placed in classrooms with typical students on a full day basis. It will also provide all the resources necessary for these children, the co-teachers, and their typical peers to be successful. In a time of budget cuts, we are not asking to increase spending. We are asking to use the monies allocated for existing or new self-contained units to be placed back into the typical classroom.
Inclusive Education is happening in states across this country (like: California, Illinois, Michigan and New Mexico). Research has shown that this approach to education works and benefits all the students. Through this petition, we can speak with ONE voice asking for positive change in the way we educate our children.
We the residents of Pinellas County hereby request that Pinellas County Schools implement a district wide Inclusive Education program for elementary, middle & high schools beginning 2009/2010 school year.
This new program will provide children with disabilities the opportunity to be placed in classrooms with typical students on a full day basis. It will also provide all the resources necessary for the children with disabilities, teachers and their typical peers to be successful. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) states that all children have the right to a “free and appropriate education” in the “least restrictive environment”.
Research for Inclusive Education (1996) demonstrates better achievement and higher graduation rates for students with disabilities. Students without disabilities also benefit from the additional support provided within the general education classrooms.
The following signatures of this petition represent the supporters of the Inclusive Education program:
The Inclusive Education in Pinellas County, FL petition to Citizens of Pinellas County was written by Judy Owen and is in the category Students' Rights at GoPetition.