Special Education class size provisions saved in Illinois... for now
A proposal to eliminate protections for class sizes for special education students in Illinois has been tabled -- not defeated -- at least for now at the Illinois State Board of Education. For the past several weeks, a massive lobbying campaign led by the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union worked to block an ISBE vote to reduce the protections for education of children with special needs.
The report form the Illinois Federation of Teachers follows here:
September 19, 2013
ISBE Tables Class Size Protections Vote � For Now
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today it would not vote at this time on the proposal to eliminate the Part 226 class size rules in place for Illinois classrooms. Earlier this year, input from thousands of IFT members was key to slowing down the same harmful ISBE plan. The issue resurfaced last week, and the proposal was expected to be voted on at a meeting today.
The IFT and Chicago Teachers Union joined other stakeholders to testify against the plan. Our message was clear � state protections for special education class size limits MUST be maintained, for the sake of special and general education students.
It is uncertain what steps ISBE will take next on this issue, but the IFT will continue to fight any attempts to eliminate special education class size protections. Please watch your inbox and the IFT website for updates on this important issue in the days ahead.
