Reexamining Rowley

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Sheila

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Worth the read [FONT=&quot]http://www.harborhouselaw.com/articles/rowley.reexamine.johnson.htm[/FONT]


... Reexamining Rowley is no small undertaking. Rowley has provided the framework for special education services for 20 years. However, the 1997 Amendments to the IDEA make clear that the foundation underlying that reasoning in Rowley is no longer present. That is, the IDEA is no longer intended to simply provide students with access to educational services that provide some benefit. The IDEA is intended to go well beyond this by ensuring that students with disabilities receive educational services that incorporate the high expectations in state educational standards and in state court cases regarding an adequate education....
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gpsych

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Worth the read [FONT=&quot]http://www.harborhouselaw.com/articles/rowley.reexamine.johnson.htm[/FONT]



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While I agree with the article to some extent, we're not going to see Rowley overturned any time soon. In fact, the nation is going the opposite direction. Case in point, Massachusetts is getting ready to change (possibly already, not sure) from a "maximum potential" state to being more in-line with Rowley. The new NASP Best Practices continues to rely upon Rowley as well when discussing special education services. Plus, given the current economic climate, it is doubtful that school districts will consider giving more specialized services that extend beyond educational need.

If anything, the increased acceptance of RTI means that more and more services will be provided within the general education environment rather than through an IEP. This will further decrease special education funding as enrollment goes down, and thus lead to less specialized services. In many ways, RTI is the ultimate expression of Rowley. No matter how one might feel about the usefulness of RTI, it is the future and it's really just getting started.
 

Sheila

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Regarding Massachusetts, states have always been allowed to provide more than IDEA mandates. However, they may not provide less. It's one of the reasons we advise parents to become familiar with both the fed law (IDEA) and their State regs.

I think there a lot of confusion regarding RTi. It is just an additional tool for educators and parents -- it does not supplant IDEA or it's intent.

I've pulled US DOE info on RTI previously. It's in the Sp Ed 101 Archives at http://www.conductdisorders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8201 .
 
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