FWD
Awake_Advocacy
Mike Savory

OUR CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND** WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW **

NOVEMBER 5-7, 2004

IDEA WEEKLY UPDATE - HEIGHTENED AWARENESS

This could be it, folks! There are rumors that the final IDEA bill language
could be ready as soon as next week! Read “Lame Bills &Sitting Ducks,”
posted
on our Home page, to find out where we are in this process. Then read “Rumors:
Heightened Awareness,” also on our Home page , so that you can be as up to
date as we are about the situation. In fact, if you’ve heard anything
different
about the timing of the bill language, please let us know!

Also, we are happy to present a new campaign, put together by a loyal visitor
and friend, to help us make our voices heard during this last critical
opportunity to influence the language of the final bill. In “Rumors:
Heightened
Awareness,” we introduce the “Ten Minute Activist ” campaign, focused this
week
on saving the discipline protections for our kids. The full details of the Ten
Minute Activist Campaign are posted on The Grapevine . This is a great way for
all of us to help out – it takes only ten minutes, yet can make such a huge
difference! We really need quantity here, so please consider participating!

On our Breaking News page this week, we have a joint letter to the conferees
put together by COPAA and NAPAS. This letter is unique in that it focuses in
depth on two critical issues: the attorney fee provisions and the statute of
limitations provisions. These are both provisions of critical importance to
families, yet often not well understood by families or lawmakers. (The letter
also
includes a section on discipline.) Please read this letter – it’s the most
targeted piece we’ve found to help you understand and advocate with respect to
these critical issues!

Also on Breaking News this week, we have an excerpt from NCIL’s Weekly
Advocacy Monitor, and an excerpt from the NDSC GA Newsline. Both of these brief
pieces will bring you up to speed quickly on the status of the IDEA
reauthorization process.

Finally, on The Grapevine this week, we have an action alert from NAMI, which
focuses on discipline issues and can help with ideas on this critical topic.

Please take ten minutes this weekend to help make a difference for our kids!
Thanks!


Sandy Strassman Alperstein, today's parentvolunteer@...


©2004 Our Children Left Behind.

Our Children Left Behind [OCLB] was created and is owned/operated by parent
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and Debi Lewis). Permission to forward, copy, and/or post this article is
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