NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Right to Education Task Force, along with the ARC of Chester County, is sponsoring a Parent Support Group ... OPEN TO ALL!!

Please join us the third Thursday of each month from 7pm - 9pm. Meetings will usually be held at the ARC of Chester County. Click on "Meeting Information" in the left-hand column for more information.

                   *** ACTION ALERTS ***

           CO-SPONSORS NEEDED FOR BURDEN OF PROOF LEGISLATION

  School Districts Hold Unfair Advantage Over Parents in Special Education Disputes

Before a recent U.S Supreme Court decision (Schaffer vs. Weast), the practice in Pennsylvania was for school districts to assume the burden of proof whenever disputes arose between them and parents regarding a child's special education program. However, the Supreme Court decision ruled that, unless state rules indicate otherwise, the party “seeking relief” has the burden of proof in IDEA due process proceedings.

Pennsylvania has no statute or regulation that assigns the burden of proof to school districts. The Court acknowledged that school districts have a natural advantage over parents in such disputes, particularly when it comes to resources.  Few parents go into this process with the resources or knowledge to properly present their child’s case against seasoned professionals and bureaucrats representing school districts. 

Legislation has been introduced by Senator Patrick Browne to assign the burden of proof onto school districts. (Senate Bill 627) 

                                          Co-sponsors are needed!!! 

Please contact your state senator and ask that he/she become a cosponsor of SB627. It's easy to do ... just click here! Note - you'll need to know your Zip+4 zipcode.

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      EVERY CHILD IS ENTITLED TO AN EDUCATION
        BASED ON HIS OR HER INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

The RIGHT TO EDUCATION Local Task Force (LTF) is an organization dedicated to improving Special Education in Chester County. We meet monthly with parents, advocates, community service providers, and district and school administrators to discuss how to improve Special Education in Chester County and sharing successes. Training on topics of interest in Special Education and monitoring parent satisfaction are also provided by the LTF.

Meetings are held at the Chester County Intermediate Unit on Boot Road in Downingtown the second Thursday of each month from 10 am to noon. All are welcome.

See "About Us" for more information about the State and Local Task Forces.