Updates from Upstate

Mariko, Jean, Nina, and Kim Sweet from AFC joined me to represent Manhattan and the Bronx in  Albany and Saratoga Springs last week at meetings of the other 11 State Parent Centers, the NY State Department of Education (NYSED), and a variety of academic and educational Technical Assistance organizations working to improve educational outcomes for students with special needs.

We digested reams of data, networked like crazy, ate pizza with the early childhood folks, and focused on the Education Department’s goals for Parent Centers and other members of the network. I facilitated a session on training for the State Parent Center network and presented on a panel about the challenges of engaging urban parents who are disconnected from school.  In the week since we have returned, we have assumed active role with TA networks working locally in New York City on the critical issues of disproportionality and mediation and alternative dispute resolution. We will continue to share issues and actions as they emerge here on the site!