Pennsylvania law requires public schools to provide
individually-adapted assistance to children who have
disabilities or who are so bright ("gifted") that
regular class work is a waste of time. Because this may involve
extra spending, or disruption of regular school schedules, some
schools resist providing such services. Parents should contact
their local Mental Health Advocate, and in Philadelphia or
Pittsburgh the Educational Law Center, for free advice. If
litigation (a 'due-process hearing") becomes necessary,
having a lawyer often is the difference between winning and
losing.
At this time (August 2000), the
Pennsylvania Board of Education is attempting to re-write the
regulations on special education. Gifted education would be
separated from other special ed into its own regulatory Chapter.
The effort would in some way streamline the rules, but would
also take away important rights. This is especially a concern of
the Gifted Ed community, which only has state and not Federal
rights, but rights of the handicapped would also be limited to
those in the Federal handicapped education law (the I.D.E.A.)
Concerned parents and others should contact the ARC (for
handicapped rights) or PAGE (for gifted rights) (610-584-5221)
for more information and to get involved in the legislative
process.
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