Senate passes measure to create special education ombud

 

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Melissa A. Murray to help families of special education students navigate challenges in getting their student’s educational needs met at school.

The bill (2023-S 0063) creates an ombud office for special education, independent of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to ensure school districts throughout the state meet the standards required to comply with individualized education programs for students with disabilities.

The office would provide parents and teachers a place to bring up their concerns when they believe their child is not being provided the special education services to which they are entitled.

“Every child in need of special education is unique. For families, navigating the education system can be frustrating and challenging. There are often many questions about what educational services are available and what a district is required to provide. Having a Special Education Ombud would provide families, students and teachers a valuable, well-informed resource that can work to ensure children are getting the services to which they are entitled and which they deserve,” said Senator Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield).

The office is modeled after the Office of the Child Advocate, which was created to collect data and investigate after injuries and deaths of children in Department of Children, Youth and Families care.

The office would also collect data about possible violations and would have investigative powers for both districts and state Department of Education. 

The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) is sponsoring similar legislation (2023-H 5166).

The Senate bill is cosponsored by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma  (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Little Compton, Tiverton), Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Sen. Samuel W. Bell (D-Dist. 5, Providence), Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), Sen. Mark P. McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown).

 

 

 

Former President Trump is complaining that he can't be on the campaign trail because of what he calls a ridiculous trial in New York City. Speaking right after the 12 jurors were selected on Thursday, Trump said the "whole world is watching this scam" and went on to read news articles criticizing the case. The judge hopes to have the six alternates selected by Friday.        Republican Mike Johnson is setting up some high-stakes votes that might end his short term as House Speaker. Defying the conservative wing of his party, Johnson plans for House votes on aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and a separate bill for the border. The conservative flank argues the border should be tied to Ukraine to force Democrats to vote for its passage.        At least four people are under arrest in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York City. The NYPD made the arrests and have started clearing demonstrators and tents from the South Lawn of the campus. The school's president Minouche Shafik sent a letter to students and staff saying she authorized the action, after the school asked protesters to pick up their tents and leave the lawn.        The cause of last year's Maui fires that killed 101 people is still unknown. A State Attorney General report says a major windstorm toppled power lines in Lahaina [[ lah-HYE-nah ]], sparking the first fire on that fateful August day. That fire was extinguished, but was reignited by strong winds, and eventually there were four major wildfires breaking out.        Attorneys for Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger filed their client's alibi defense just ahead of the deadline. The 29-year-old Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, and has pleaded not guilty. Late Wednesday, Kohberger's lawyers submitted a ten-page filing that claimed he was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13th, "as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars."        Taylor Swift is announcing the official first single from her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, which drops at midnight. She says "Fortnight," the album's opening track featuring Post Malone, will be the first single. Swift said she's been a fan of Malone's because of the melodies he writes that "stick in your head forever."