Family Engagement a Focus of Senate Hearing on ESEA Reauthorization

Family engagement was a major focus of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee at the April 22 roundtable hearing on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the chairman of the committee, hopes to bring the bill, also known as the No Child Left Behind Act, to the Senate floor this summer for full consideration.
Until the April 22 hearing, the Senate ESEA hearings have focused on the Administration’s core education reform areas such as school turnarounds and teachers and leaders. Harkin opened the Meeting the Needs of the Whole Student hearing by saying, “Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical and social needs are all met… I believe it is essential that we support every aspect of the development of our students to maximize their chances at success.” (Click on heading to read full article)

Attention Parents!

If your child receives special education services, you can help the Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Exceptional Children Services (KDE/DECS) improve parent involvement in your schools by completing a short survey. Data from the survey will be collected and analyzed by the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky (HDI/UK). HDI/UK will then consult with KDE/DECS about improving services to parents with disabilities by identifying and targeting specific training, services and programs. A random sample of parents will receive the survey by mail, and parents also may complete the survey online by visiting this address: http://tinyurl.com/KYParent