February 19, 2004

Rod Paige, Secretary

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Dear Secretary Paige,

We write this letter on behalf of the Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities.  The Task Force is comprised of approximately 50 national organizations vitally interested and involved in the education of students with disabilities.  In December 2003, the Department of Education promulgated the final regulation regarding Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind Act as it affects students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.  These regulations were finalized after several consultations with the disability community.  The Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities believe these regulations are a practical approach to a complicated issue.  Despite the new rules, the issue of AYP and students with disabilities remains controversial and front page news, leaving many school systems, families, policy makers and the public concerned and confused.

When the regulations were released, Department officials, responding to our recommendations, pledged to implement, on an expedited schedule, a substantial effort of training and technical assistance to school authorities and parents. It has been nearly 3 months since the new regulations were published.  Unfortunately, we see little evidence of the promised training and technical assistance which, if properly and quickly implemented, could help remedy the concern and the confusion.  Yet educators, parents and IEP teams are making decisions about daily AYP.  We strongly believe the Department must do more right now to ensure that they have all the evidence-based information they need to make sound decisions.

Thus, we request a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss how and when the Department intends to launch this initiative.

Sincerely,

Leslie Jackson              Paul Marchand                    Katy Beh Neas              Jane West             Stephen Spector 

AOTA                           The Arc and UCP                 Easter Seals                    HECSE/TED          CHADD

CCD Co-chair                   CCD Co-chair                         CCD Co-chair                 CCD Co-chair          CCD Co-chair