Well, this is mighty interesting. Marie-Anne Aghazadian, the former Executive Director for the Parent Information Center of Delaware from 1989-2014, a former member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, and the founding President of the Delaware Autism Program, wrote a comment on an article I published over a year ago about the introduction of Senate Bill 92.
I, too, find it highly suspicious that Paul Herdman is now interested in improving special education. A group of students he had disdained for years. But then things have been rather quiet for Rodel since the demise of the RTT grant and the unsuccessful Mark Murphy reign.
And what better way to get into the fray again than to suggest interest in special education. Really?
I have found that Matt Korobkin (with whom I have worked on the Autism Advancement Package aka SB92/93), although well-intentioned, has indeed little spec. ed. background and seems to be pushing Delaware to replicate the education collaborative model prevalent in Massachusetts and other states.
Until society values students with disabilities as much as their AP students and is willing to pay forward to ensure their success as productive and self-sufficient adults, we will continue to waste time, money and children’s lives on costly, trivial pursuits such as studies and lawsuits brought on by legitimately frustrated parents.
Aghazadian raised several talking points. Why is Rodel, in the past couple of years, dabbling in special education. Dr. Paul Herdman, the Executive Director of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, did teach special education once upon a time. But the policies Rodel pushed over the past ten years seem to be special education killers and not helpers. I agree 100% with what she wrote. I would love to chat more with her about all of this as she seems to know the history and education of Delaware education better than most based on her vast history in the system.
This is what we need more of: those in a position to speak out and actually doing it! Nothing will change if more people don’t speak up. Use your voice. You have it for a reason!
The Season Of Myths 