Contact: Robert Hamilton
Home: 707-279-8512
Email: president@carsplus.org
FOR IMMEDIATE REL EASE
A Special Day for California's Special Educators
Sacramento, California -- The hard work, commitment and passion of those who work in
special education classrooms will be recognized on December 3rd, which has been
proclaimed "The Day of the Special Educator" by the California State Legislature.
"Without the dedication of my son's special education teacher, he would not be
able to succeed in school," believes Marci Marino, a parent in Fremont. "All special
educators deserve to be honored for the important work they do."
Before President Gerald Ford signed the nation's first special education law on
December 2, 1975, many students were denied access to education and opportunities to
learn. The fate of many children with disabilities was likely to be dim.
"States had laws excluding certain students, including children who were deaf,
blind, emotionally disturbed, or intellectually disabled," points out Linda Nimer, past
president of CARS+, the California Organization for Special Educators. "Too often
persons with disabilities were merely accommodated rather than assessed, educated, and
rehabilitated."
That was all changed because of Public Law 94-142, now known as the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which assures a free, appropriate
public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities in states receiving federal funds.
"The true spirit of the law could not be met without the right people to make this
happen," acknowledges Dr. Phyllis Kaplan, retired Coordinator of the Mild/Moderate
Credential and Master’s Degree Program at California State University East Bay in
Hayward. "Special educators have vast knowledge of learning differences and how to
meet their students unique needs."
Special educators do more than deliver curriculum. They make sure
accommodations have been met and help students overcome their weaknesses by
building upon their strengths.
"The December 2 anniversary of IDEA becoming law should be reserved to honor
the students who are protected by the law," according to Nimer. "CARS+ chose the next
date, December 3, as the most appropriate day to honor those educators who ensure
special needs students have equal access to a free, appropriate public education."
"The Day of the Special Educator" will be celebrated December 3 throughout
California. Planned activities include local and region events hosted by CARS+
members and other supporters of special education.
CARS+ is the only California organization whose sole purpose is to represent the
unique needs of special education teachers. Founded in 1981 as a non-profit association
dedicated to the support of resource specialists, the organization expanded its active
membership in 1996 to include all special educators.
The organization is governed by a volunteer board of special educators. The
CARS+ Web site, www.carsplus.org, provides support for more than 2,000 members.
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