4/3/17 We The People of Detroit's New Documentary on Detroit School Closures

As a co-founder of We the People of Detroit (501.c3), I am happy to announce that We The People of Detroit released a new documentary by filmaker Kate Levy called The Final Cut? We the People of Detroit's Documentary on School Closings regarding Detroit Public Schools and its effect on students with special needs and general education students. Highlighted in the film is the closure of the Oakman Orthopedic School, which is now in ruins since it was closed down. I am in the video along with local educators, parents, students, and community activists. Click this link to see the film and please share it widely! https://vimeo.com/204933347 Aurora Harris This Blog Entry c. 2017 by Aurora Harris

4/3/17 DETROIT SPECIAL ED NEWS AND ADVOCACY TRAININGS

There is still no official "news" concerning the closure of 25 Detroit Public Schools. In March, I began meeting with parents. educators, and local community persons on Saturdays from 9:30-12:00 p.m.at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History to have Special Education Advocacy training that began with learning about special education laws. I gave information on the House Bill HR-610 that will repeal the Elementary and Secondary Education act of 1965 to clear the way for vouchers for education. There is no mention of Free and Appropriate Education for students with special needs or what will happen to Federal funds, such as Title 1, for children living in poverty, that includes students with special needs. From the US Congress Website, the bill states the following: "Choices in Education Act of 2017 This bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is authorized only to award block grants to qualified states." I urge all parents, teachers, and advocates in the USA to go to this website, follow the movement of this bill HR 610, and write your Congresspersons to ask them to vote against this bill. You may track the progress of the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+610+Vouchers+for+Public+Education%22%5D%7D&r=1 The full transcript of HR 610 may be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+610+Vouchers+for+Public+Education%22%5D%7D&r=1 Many parents and teachers fear that all Federal Funds may be cut for Public Schools in the US. Other News: We The People of Detroit released a new documentary by Kate Levy called The Final Cut? We the People of Detroit's Documentary on School Closings regarding Detroit Public Schools and its effect on children with special needs. Highlighted in the film is the closure of the Oakman Orthopedic School, which is now in ruins since it was closed down. I am in the video along with local educators, parents, students, and community activists. Click this link to see the film: https://vimeo.com/204933347 Aurora Harris This Blog Entry c. 2017 by Aurora Harris

4/3/17: Supreme Court Raises Education Standards for Special Needs

The Washington Post reported "Supreme Court sets higher bar for education of students with disabilities." See their story here https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-sets-higher-bar-for-education-of-students-with-disabilities/2017/03/22/fcb7bc62-0f16-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html?tid=sm_Fb&utm_term=.abefc4e7e39e