Good news; short deadline

Senator Dinniman is preparing to introduce his version of the bill for special education funding and accountability reform. The bill should be introduced late on Monday afternoon, June 1.

Thus – Senator Dinniman needs our help TODAY, Friday and Monday morning. We need to help him sign up lots of senators to co-sponsor the bill.

Please take the following actions:

• First, call all senators that you know and ask them to call Senator Dinniman’s office TODAY and co-sponsor the special education bill. (The bill will not have a number until it is introduced.)

• Second, please issue a strong alert throughout your entire network for all individuals to call or e-mail their own state senator, asking the legislator to call Senator Dinniman’s office TODAY and co-sponsor the special education bill. (The bill will not have a number until it is introduced.)

Use the following talking points:

1. Please call Senator Dinniman’s office and co-sponsor the special education bill.  The bill will be introduced late on Monday afternoon, June 1.
2. I am asking you to support reform of the state funding and accountability system for special education.
3. The current funding system is broken, is unfair, and does not provide enough resources for special education in the right places.  It sets the number of students eligible for state funding for special education at 16% regardless of whether the district has fewer or more students receiving special education.  It also does not focus the funding on strategies that have a track record for improving student performance.
4. I am your constituent and I have personal experience with how this broken system hurts children with disabilities and all students.

Thank you for taking quick action on this important issue.  We are making great progress; the House version of the bill (H.B. 704) is up to 64 co-sponsors and had a successful hearing this month.