Post Schaffer: New Era

By Bob Witanek
http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org
advocate@studentadvocate-nj.org

Indeed, she said, "there is reason to believe that a great deal is already spent on IDEA administration, and Congress has repeatedly amended" the law "to reduce its administrative and litigation-related costs." Washington Post quoting Sandra Day O’Connor’s majority opinion
Jerry B. Weast, superintendent of the Montgomery County Public School System, called the court's decision "a victory for special education teachers in Montgomery County and across the nation who work hard everyday to provide the best possible education for students with disabilities."

He added, "We defended this case for one simple reason -- we didn't want our teachers and staff spending more time in the courtroom instead of the classroom."Washington Post quoting Superintendent Weast.

The impact of today’s announcement of a Supreme Court decision in Brian Schaffer et al v. Jerry Weast could have dire consequences for millions of current and future special education students across the United States. The impact will be felt not only by those parents who are forced to or choose to file for due process but for all parents whose opinions might differ with school district personnel at the IEP table. For some, the impact will be swift and immediate. For others, the impact will creep into the IEP process for years to come. For all of us – the results will be that districts are further empowered to override and disregard our concerns. A process already warped in favor of school districts and state departments of education will tilt ever further in that direction.

Bob Witanek
http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org
advocate@studentadvocate-nj.org
908-881-5275

Read full article at:
http://www.studentadvocate-nj.org/post_schaffer.htm

Brian Schaffer et al v. Jerry Weast
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14nov20051045/www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05pdf/04-698.pdf

Washington Post article:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/14/AR2005111400690.html

For information, resources and practical strategies on autism please visit: www.AutismConcepts.com.