| MIRS,
February 21, 2008 Advocates
say fewer kids would end up in special education under the latest
introduction of the early-intervention bill that moved from the Senate
Education Committee today.
SB 1039, sponsored by Sen. Nancy CASSIS (R-Novi), would allow an
intermediate school district (ISD) to develop an early intervening model
program for kindergarten to third grade. It would instruct teachers and
staff on how to monitor individual learning and how to provide specific
support or learning strategies to students as early as possible.
That could mean fewer kids shunted off into special education programs,
which often are expensive and demoralizing to kids.
Cassis, a former school psychologist, said legislation was a win-win -
it would help kids and save schools money.
"It would have a very significant reach for children at risk of early
failure," she said.
In 2006, Cassis sponsored a measure creating the SAVE the Children grant
program administered by the Department of Education. In 2007, Gov.
Jennifer GRANHOLM repealed the measure, but the Senate adopted the
Cassis amendment adding the program to the School Aid budget. SB 1039
revises the school code so that the program is permanent.
The program would include a school-wide system of academic and
behavioral support based on a support team that could include the
principal, special education staff, reading teachers and school
psychologists.
Northville Public Schools officials testified about the success of their
early-intervention program.
Chair Sen. Wayne KUIPERS (R-Holland) asked how easy that would be to
replicate across the state.
Robert SORNSON, president and founder of the Early Learning Foundation,
said it "would take a great deal of work." But he added the program
"passes the common sense test."
The bill would only allow a school district to put the program in place.
Any participating district could tap a particular stream of state money
that goes to its intermediate school districts to pay for the program. |
