Call to Action: Oppose SB 534 to keep special education alive and funded in Indiana's public schools

There is a potentially devastating bill that will be heard by the Senate Education Committee at the Indiana statehouse this Wednesday, February 15, at 1:30. SB 534 (SESAP) provides a path to "Education Savings Accounts" for all special education students, no matter their families' incomes. ESAs are somewhat like vouchers, but differ in that the funds would be overseen by the state treasurer rather than the IDOE. They would be 100% of the public school's cost as opposed to the 90% amount represented by vouchers. They would go directly to parents’ accounts to be transferred to (approved) education service providers. While this could appeal to parents—almost like waving cash under people’s noses—ESAs could cause great harm to the quality and funding of the special education programs in our public schools. Funding would follow the kids out of public schools toward unregulated and unaccountable private entities.

• There is no requirement that those providing the services provide a full school day; the money could be used on therapy, tutoring, or college savings. Wealthy families who already pay for private education could claim funds to use in these ways.
• Education service providers would only be required to teach "reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science”—not writing, art, p.e., music, or library.
• There would be little to no oversight—indeed the treasurer would be responsible for disbursing funds, rather than the IDOE. Parents would have to fill out an annual survey, and the bill states that the treasurer would conduct random audits. The likelihood of abuse and misuse of funds would be high. Cash-strapped families might use the money for other things entirely (opiates? furniture? food?).
  
• There is no testing requirement, meaning tracking and comparing students' progress would be impossible. Legislators subject our public school students to high-stakes testing in the name of accountability—but this bill would let private entities using public funds for special education students off the hook.
• By participating, parents would waive their child’s rights under IDEA, but there is no requirement to inform them that this would be the case. What is IDEA? From the American Psychological Association: "The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Prior to IDEA, over 4 million children with disabilities were denied appropriate access to public education. Many children were denied entry into public school altogether, while others were placed in segregated classrooms, or in regular classrooms without adequate support for their special needs (Katsiyannis, Yell, Bradley, 2001; Martin, Martin, Terman, 1996; U.S. Department of Education, 2010)."
  
  

How could public schools maintain adequate programs and qualified staff with unstable and unpredictable funding? Children with severe disabilities and extensive needs would not be able to find private services for the amount the ESA would provide. If many other lower-need special education students withdrew funds from the public system, our highest need students would be left in schools drained of resources.

Here is the digest of the bill. Here is the legislative study from IU's Center for Evaluation of Education Policy, on which I have based my understanding of the issues. By the way, the House has a version of ESAs for everyone...ESAs on steroids. It hasn't been scheduled for a hearing yet.

What can you do? Let your friends who have children with special needs know that if ESAs are authorized in Indiana, the quality of special education services in our public schools will be in jeopardy. Call the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee today or tomorrow to convey your indignation. Ask the chair of the committee, Senator Dennis Kruse, not to hear the bill. Ask all the committee members to oppose it. They can all be reached through the Indiana Senate number, (317) 232-9400. Consider testifying at the hearing to be held in the Senate Chamber this Wednesday, February 15, at 1:30.

Chair, Senate Education and Workforce Development Commitee:
Sen. Dennis Kruse

Republicans:
Sen. Jeff Raatz
Sen. Eric Bassler
Sen. John Crane
Sen. Aaron Freeman
Sen. Luke Kenley
Sen. Jean Leising
Sen. Andy Zay

Democrats:
Sen. Eddie Melton
Sen. Frank Mrvan
Sen. Mark Stoops

--Jenny Robinson