A Call to Activism!

The following is a request sent to all SEPACs in Massachusetts.

Dear SPEDWatch Members,
Attorney Michael Weisman is investigating the question:

Is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts currently meeting its duty to provide sufficient resources to support necessary special education services, particularly high cost special education services, whether those services are provided in-district or out-of-district?

He has asked SPEDWatch to find parents who would be willing to talk to him about their experiences in this regard. It is not certain that this will develop into litigation, as Attorney Weisman is in the early investigative stages of this matter. Regardless, while SPEDWatch itself does not pursue litigation per se, it does fully support any high profile activity undertaken by others that supports its mission which is: to secure the educational rights of all students with disabilities, age 3-21. This is that type of activity.

If you would be willing to have a preliminary conversation with Attorney Weisman about your special education experiences please respond to this email with a brief description of your situation. What he's really looking for are examples of school districts blatantly denying services or placements despite clear and convincing evidence (from independent evaluators perhaps) that the child needs those services or that placement. If the child has suffered significant emotional and/or physical harm as a result of the denials that's even "better." Also the situation should have occurred fairly recently.

This is it folks. This is our chance to make a BIG difference. PLEASE come forward if you think you can help!

Attorney Weisman is with the Boston law firm of Davis, Malm & D'Agostine (http://www.davismalm.com) He served as lead counsel in the 15+ year suit brought in the Supreme Judicial Court on behalf of under-served Massachusetts public school children. The 1993 landmark decision, McDuffy v. Secretary, held that the commonwealth had a constitutionally enforceable duty to provide all public school students with a quality education. The victory received national recognition and was a prime force behind the passage of the Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1993.

This is the big time ... please help if you can.

The children are waiting,

Ellen Chambers, MBA
Founder
SPEDWatch Inc