Arc applauds special ed law

BATH - The Arc of Steuben last tweek applauded Governor Eliot Spitzer for signing legislation to allocate the burden of proof in special education hearings back to school districts in the wake of the Schaffer vs. Weast US Supreme Court decision.

Schaffer gave the burden to parents. The Governor's action gives the burden back to school districts to help level the playing field between districts, with their overwhelming resources, and parents. New York is the first state to remedy the Schaffer decision.

Many advocates, especially for the poor, strongly criticized the Schaffer decision which forced many parents to hire a lawyer to defend their child's right to an appropriate public education.

Thousands of parents and family members across New York State weighed in with the Governor to support the legislation by phone, email and fax.