To: Janice K. Jackson, EdD, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools, Elizabeth Keenan, PhD, Chief of Diverse Learner Supports and Services, and Special Education Task Force
Tell CPS: Protect Special Ed Students & Teachers!
I am concerned about CPS providing all students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP) minutes and notification to parents of any missed services as required by law. Because of CPS's past violations, Senate Bill 454 was passed to make sure CPS notifies parents if special education services aren’t in place within 10 school days of a student becoming eligible. With recent news reports about schools lacking nurses and short on staff, CPS does not appear ready to provide all services or give parents required notice.
CPS leaders should focus attention and resources on special education and proper staffing. Instead, officials have wasted time and money by targeting vocal teachers like Sarah Chambers. Retaliating against special ed whistleblowers leaves other teachers afraid to speak out or comply with the law.
Please provide prompt notice of all missed services and follow the law. We deserve honest communication to parents and teachers that are willing to advocate for students.
CPS leaders should focus attention and resources on special education and proper staffing. Instead, officials have wasted time and money by targeting vocal teachers like Sarah Chambers. Retaliating against special ed whistleblowers leaves other teachers afraid to speak out or comply with the law.
Please provide prompt notice of all missed services and follow the law. We deserve honest communication to parents and teachers that are willing to advocate for students.
Why is this important?
Parents and teachers across Chicago spoke out when Chicago Public Schools leaders denied special education services to students as a way to save money and cut budgets. Because teachers like Sarah Chambers were willing to blow the whistle when they saw students being harmed, a state investigation found that CPS was violating special ed law. CPS is now required to notify parents if their student doesn’t receive all needed services.
Right when the first of these notices should be reaching parents, CPS lawyers are instead preparing for a hearing at the State Board of Education over Sarah, a highly rated and respected special ed teacher. They hope to fire her in retaliation for her advocacy. Rahm's hand-picked Board of Ed is still short staffing our schools. They don’t seem ready to follow the law and I’m worried about the effect it will have on others speaking out if they get away with retaliating against a teacher like Sarah.
Right when the first of these notices should be reaching parents, CPS lawyers are instead preparing for a hearing at the State Board of Education over Sarah, a highly rated and respected special ed teacher. They hope to fire her in retaliation for her advocacy. Rahm's hand-picked Board of Ed is still short staffing our schools. They don’t seem ready to follow the law and I’m worried about the effect it will have on others speaking out if they get away with retaliating against a teacher like Sarah.