Give me a break!

It is clear that many Missourians could use a break~a little help in getting a good quality education for their child with special needs. It is unfortunate that more parents could not show up at the capitol on 2-13, but it really was an impressive turn-out none-the-less, given that families with children with special needs experience higher divorce rates and more parents necessarily are working outside the home. More wanted to come, but they simply could not afford to take the day to go to the capitol to implore the legislatures that they need financial support~and more importantly, choices within the educational arena. In fact, for families with an autistic child, the incidence of divorce is at 90%!

The parents who were able to make the trek had much to say on behalf of all of us who are touched by autism and special needs. (See Voices of Special Needs Parents, posted here on 2-15-08). Dave Roland, of the Show-Me Institute, had this to say about the parents and the legislation:

The hearings yesterday included moving testimony from parents who have faced (and, in some cases, overcome) enormous obstacles in trying to help their children, as well as testimony from a number of parents, educators, and administrators opposed to changing the status quo. Unfortunately, this morning's news reports missed the opportunity to note that some of the points raised by those opposing the bills were clearly and thoroughly debunked. Articles in the Southeast Missourian and the Post-Dispatch try to present a relatively balanced picture of the issues, as presented at the Senate committee's hearing. Both of these articles, and the one posted at Missourinet, point out concerns raised by some educators that the programs would take money away from public schools — but (as conversations at the House committee hearing made absolutely plain) it would be impossible for the tax credit bills, as written, to divert any money away from the state's educational funding formula. If the special needs tax credit program is adopted, public schools will receive exactly the same level of funding as they would without the program.

More information on the hearing can be seen in this article as well.

The House committee voted and it was overwhelming in favor of it. Now, it will head to the House floor for further debate.

This is a huge step in helping the special needs children of Missouri. Let's hope it keeps going in the right direction.