About the Guest(s):

Denise Marshall serves as the executive director of the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPPA), a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting the civil and legal rights of students with disabilities. With extensive experience in disability advocacy, Denise leads COPPA to help parents and legal representatives navigate disputes with educational systems.

Jennifer Lesh is the 2020 President of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), an association devoted to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. Her leadership at CEC encompasses a wide range of educational advocacy, standards-setting, and professional development initiatives, reflecting over 98 years of organizational history and impact.

Episode Summary:

In this bonus episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas dives into the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for inclusive education, specifically concerning students with disabilities. Tim interviews two prominent figures in the field: Denise Marshall of COPPA and Jennifer Lesh of CEC, to explore their insights and recommendations amidst evolving educational landscapes and policy changes.

This episode zeroes in on the implications of potential IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) waivers proposed during the pandemic. Denise Marshall highlights COPPA’s stance against blanket waivers, emphasizing that the IDEA already allows flexibility where necessary, thus preserving the rights of students with disabilities. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lesh underscores the importance of collaboration among educational stakeholders and advocates for emergency funding to better support educators and students during these unprecedented times. Through their conversations, the episode sheds light on how institutions, educators, and families can creatively and collaboratively navigate current challenges.

Transcript: https://c80acee1-5663-46ff-a2d6-b4cf328e0b7f.usrfiles.com/ugd/c80ace_83634a330e54405a8e62efb9a558deba.pdf

Key Takeaways:

• COPPA is resolute that the potential IDEA waivers discussed during the pandemic are unnecessary due to inherent flexibility already present in the law.
• Jennifer Lesh from CEC emphasizes the need for strong collaboration between educators and parents, maintaining the ethos of inclusion and advocacy for students with disabilities.
• Both guests stress the critical need for additional funding to equip educators with resources and tools to effectively transition to remote or flexible learning models.
• The discussions highlight varied responses from school districts across the country and underline the importance of equitable access to educational resources.
• The episode presents a united stand from major advocacy groups against eroding IDEA rights, pushing for temporary, narrow, and targeted adjustments without compromising student benefits.

Resources:

Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPPA): copaa.org

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): cec.sped.org

MCIE: https://mcie.org/

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