The Connecting Point

The Connecting Point

Volume 3 Issue 5 July 6th, 2005

In This ISSUE:

1) Getting Honest About Grad Rates – 2005 Report
2) NGA Releases Analysis on Aligning Federal Education Laws, Preschool to College
3) Disability is Natural Newsletter – Independence Day Article
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1) Getting Honest About Grad Rates- 2005 REPORT- A new 2005 Report from the Education Trust points out differences in how the state report graduation rates. With High school reform a top priority of the Bush Administration new reporting and accountability standards will require states to accurately report the graduation data, as they must come into alignment for the No Child left Behind standards. http://www2.edtrust.org/NR/rdonlyres/C5A6974D-6C04-4FB1-A9FC-05938CB0744D/0/GettingHonest.pdf

2) NGA Releases Analysis on Aligning Federal Education Laws, Preschool to College The National Governors Association (NGA) recently assembled leading education experts, from preschool through college (P-16), to brainstorm solutions to align the nation's federal education laws in Washington. The nation's governors support aligning all five major federal education laws--Head Start; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB); the Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Act; and the Higher Education Act--from pre-school through college to support state P-16 efforts and to foster state innovation, eliminate duplication and improve education outcomes for all students. To read the full press release go to http://www.nga.org/nga/legislativeUpdate/1,1169,C_ISSUE_BRIEF^D_8557,00.html . To read the NGA's preliminary analysis on the relationship between major federal educations laws go to http://www.nga.org/cda/files/0506P16overview.pdf

From: Monday Morning in Washington DC

3) Disability is Natural is a web-base newsletter by Kathy Snow. It contains a thought provoking section called Revolutionary thinking, which includes articles that challenge societies thinking on disability issues. The articles are constantly changing so it is an excellent newsletter that you a can subscribe to. The articles are free to give out to others or use in newsletters with prior permission. Included are a couple of links to exciting articles for you to check out from this issue. Here is a sample of an article for July 4, 2005 called Independence Day.

Independence Day by Kathie Snow

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America led to the birth of a new nation. Of the 1,321 words in the Declaration, the 35 words above promote both a grand philosophy and a daily way of life that represents the best of America.

Throughout our history, however, these precious few words haven't always applied to all Americans. In response, people of color, women, and others have worked diligently to ensure these words did apply to them. Thanks to their efforts, our society has made great strides in living up to the beliefs of our Founding Fathers.

As we prepare for another 4th of July celebration---while we're planning a weekend trip, shopping for burgers and buns, or anticipating an extra day off from work---I hope we'll give thought to these words and the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

In your mind, is it "self-evident" that people with disabilities are "created equal"? And what does this mean? According to history books, Thomas Jefferson and our other Founding Fathers included these particular words based on their belief in a "higher law" than the law of man-made government.

If we do profess to believe that individuals who happen to have disabilities are, indeed, created equal, why do they continue to live unequal lives, physically separated and socially isolated in segregated classrooms in schools and in congregate living and work settings?

Or do we consider them to be "equal" only if and when they achieve an "able-bodied standard" or someone's definition of "normal"? That criteria isn't found in the Declaration of Independence, but it seems to be the driving force behind many of today's programs and services, as well as our personal attitudes and actions.

As a society, do we truly believe people with disabilities are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights [to] Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"? If so, why are so many children and adults with disabilities denied opportunities to lead the Life of their dreams, included in their schools, communities, and workplaces? Why are they denied the Liberty to make their own decisions, to freely associate with others, and enjoy other common, but valuable, opportunities of personal freedom over their own lives that most Americans take for granted? And why are they not allowed to pursue Happiness? Why is the American Dream an empty promise for too many children and adults with disabilities? Why are their hopes routinely dismissed as "unrealistic"?

Many believed our Founding Fathers were unrealistic when they attempted to free themselves from the shackles of an oppressive King in England. But their determination and belief in the rightness of their cause, coupled with the support of others who shared their beliefs, led to success in the Revolutionary War and the birth of a new nation.

Isn't it time for Independence Day to have meaning for the millions of adults and children with disabilities in our country? Perhaps it will when we follow in the footsteps of our forefathers. We can take active steps to believe all people with disabilities are created equal, and take actions to ensure they enjoy their inalienable Right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. We can also support their determination to live the lives of their dreams, instead of trying to change them to fit our expectations.

Unlike our forefathers, we don't need to go to war to make these changes. We can, instead, free people with disabilities from the invisible shackles that bind them, by creating a gentle revolution with our words, attitudes, and actions. Think about it as you celebrate this Independence Day.

 “Used with permission.” Copyright 2005 Kathie Snow. If you would like a handout version (PDF) of this article, please send your request, along with the title of the article (Independence Day) to: kathie@disabilityisnatural.com .

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