This is from Bev Johns - please distribute widely!

In a telephone message left for me,
State Representative Roger Eddy
stated he would NOT call HB 160
on Feb. 2, that he "wanted to be
reasonable", that he would seek
"common ground", but that he
intended to try to move some
version of HB 160 at some time
in the future.

All of your calls and e-mails had
a great effect. This battle is not
over. The State Board of Education,
thru the statements of Chris Koch
(head of special education at ISBE)
directly to the Board of ISBE in
December, appears determined to reduce
special education regulation.

There have been conflicting statements.
I would urge you to ask ISBE for
a CD of the December Plenary session
of the Board. Hear what Chris Koch
says to his own Board for yourself.

HB 160 may just be the most extreme position
(and then a "compromise" will be offered)
or Chris Koch will state that ISBE "must"
reduce special ed regulations because
of HB 160 !!

We all need to exercise great care
in not making any agreement to
reduce the protections offered to
students, parents, and teachers
in Illinois law and Illinois regulation.

Bev Johns, Chair
ISELA - Illinois Special Education Coalition


Sandy, Illinois (alpy2@...)
Volunteer Co-Webmaster, www.ourchildrenleftbehind.com (IDEA reauthorization)


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