PIE'S ACHIEVEMENTS

 

Since its formation in 1997, PIE has provided support, camaraderie, and information for over 180 parents, educators, and advocates who have attended our

meetings and participated in our activities.

 

Our primary focus has always been, and continues to be, increasing and improving opportunities for inclusion of children with special needs in the New York City public schools. Here are some of our achievements:

 

• Increased Access to Information for Parents of Children with Special Needs Entering Kindergarten

 

-In 1999, PIE initiated a campaign to reach out to parents of children with disabilities who are aging out of preschool to inform them of their rights and options. Over the years, PIE members have shared their experiences, as well as information on inclusive education in New York City, with parents and staff at preschools run by YAI, UCP, Heartshare, AHRC, and QSAC.

-In November 2004, as a result of PIE's advocacy, the New York City school system began providing orientation sessions in each of the system's ten regions for parents of children with special needs entering kindergarten in 2005. PIE members helped develop the orientation materials and attended many of the sessions. At PIE's urging, each of the orientation sessions is followed by an opportunity to tour different types of special education programs in the region.

• Influenced Policymakers at the NYC Department of Education

 

-Over the years, PIE has had numerous meetings with Linda Wernikoff, Deputy Superintendent for Special Education Initiatives at the New York City Department of Education. Initially, our meetings focused on persuading the Department of Education to revise its continuum, or menu, of special education services to increase opportunities for inclusion. They then dealt with the details of continuum revision and problems with implementation. Most recently, we met with Ms. Wernikoff to discuss concerns raised by the Chancellor's reorganization of the special education system.

 

-The Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Education attended a PIE meeting last year to respond to concerns about the effect of the budgeting process on inclusion.

 

-A delegation of PIE members met with the Dean of the New York City Department of Education's Leadership Academy and made a number of recommendations for preparing principals to promote and support inclusion.

 

• Provided a Parents' Perspective to Ongoing Advocacy Efforts of Others

-PIE collaborated with the New York City Least Restrictive Environment Coalition in the release of a report entitled "Still Waiting, After All These Years ... Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in New York City Public Schools." The report looked at the history of over-segregation of children with disabilities in New York City, analyzed current trends, and made recommendations for greater inclusion. PIE contributed ideas to the report, and PIE members supported its release through numerous press interviews. Some PIE parents were quoted in newspapers or appeared on the television news.

 

-PIE has had meetings with attorneys representing the plaintiff class in Jose P. v. Mills, an ongoing class action lawsuit challenging the Department of Education's failure to provide all New York City schoolchildren with disabilities with a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. At these meetings, the Jose P. attorneys have provided PIE members with information about the ongoing litigation and also sought PIE members' opinions on what positions they should take going forward.

 

-PIE began a dialogue this year with the NYC Task Force on Quality Inclusive Schooling, which is part of the SystemsChange Project at Syracuse University. The Task Force is working to improve teacher preparation for inclusive schooling and to involve parents in the process.

 

• Reached Out to Elected Officials to Push for Reform

-PIE has met and worked with the Chairpersons of the Education Committees of the State Assembly and City Council.

 

-PIE submitted testimony at the City Council's hearings on special education.

 

-When the State threatened to cut funds for the Universal Pre-kindergarten and Early Intervention programs, PIE submitted a letter to the Governor and leaders of the State legislature opposing the proposed reductions as detrimental to inclusion. The cutbacks were eventually defeated.

 

• Presented on Inclusion at Numerous Events:

-9^th Annual Conference on Inclusive Schools and Communities for Children and Youth, Manhattan Family Support Fair, District 75 Inclusion Conference, National Inclusive Schools Week celebration at the Cooke Center for Learning and Development