Information Alert

2015 LaTEACH Advocacy Agenda

October 28, 2014

The DD Council and LaTEACH have established the education advocacy agenda for the 2015 Legislative Session. Together we will be advocating for:

Act 833 of 2014 to be fully and appropriately implemented. Act 833 provides for alternative pathways for some students with disabilities to be promoted to the next grade level and graduate with a high school diploma. Act 833 was one of the most significant changes to occur for students with disabilities in decades and full implementation involves many issues, including:

School Accountability (Developing an accountability system that recognizes ALL students including those with the most significant cognitive disabilities: students on LAA-1;
Training/Technical Assistance/Professional Development Support for IEP teams, teachers, and LEAs; and,
Monitoring.

In addition to implementation of Act 833, LaTEACH will be involved in supporting efforts related to:

Education funding (MFP) provided in an equitable way across all schools - traditional public schools and charter schools;
Charter Schools serving all students and no separate schools for students with disabilities; and,
Expansion of the sequence of courses required for the career technical diploma to include applied level and/or fundamental level academic and career and technical education courses recognized as credits toward graduation

Visit the LaTEACH page for the education advocacy agenda.

Click HERE for the Council's full Legislative/ Advocacy Agenda.

Do any of these issues matter to you?

Here are things you can do:

Go on a Legislative Visit	NOVEMBER 2014 - APRIL 2015 Join your LaTEACH Leader on a visit with your legislator or BESE member at his/her district office. Your Leader will share the facts about each advocacy issue. You simply share your story and how it relates to one or more issues.
Attend a Membership Meeting	NOVEMBER 2014 - DECEMBER 2014 LaTEACH Leaders host these events as an opportunity to connect and help you brush up on your advocacy skills. Learn how to write a letter to your legislator, visit your legislator, share your story, etc.
Attend a Roundtable	JANUARY 2015 Join LaTEACH, LaCAN, Families Helping Families, and your regional legislators for breakfast. Learn all the facts surrounding this year's advocacy agenda, ask questions, and get the opportunity to share your story.
Get Others Involved	EVERY DAY! Get your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers involved. Invite them to become LaTEACH members or ask them to join you at LaTEACH events. Like us on Facebook. Share our posts. Help spread the word about issues that matter to you.

Contact your LaTEACH Regional Leader or email info@lateach.org for how you can get involved.

Any questions?

If there are any questions about the information in this alert, contact LaTEACH at:
contact pic

Email: info@lateach.org
Phone: 1-800-450-8108
Phone: 1-800-894-6558
Website: www.lateach.org

LaTEACH is an initiative of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.