Lauren Morando Rhim, co-founder and executive director of the Center for Learner Equity (“the Center”) endorses Valerie Williams as Director of the Office of Special Education.
Guide Showcases Specialized Programs at Schools Citywide Along with New Referral Process to Improve Student Access; Part of Multiyear Effort by NOLA Public Schools, Center for Learner Equity, and Schools to Scale and Improve Student Access to Specialized Programs New Orleans, LA — For the first time in the city’s post-Katrina school system families of children with disabilities can access a dedicated resource regarding specialized programs across the city’s schools, as well as a consistent process for seeking referrals to these programs through each student’s IEP team. NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and the Center for Learner Equity (CLE) have worked for several years in partnership with local charter schools and key non-profit partners to develop a comprehensive vision for specialized programming for students with disabilities. This vision includes uniform access, sustainable funding, and a commitment to quality in programs so that across the school system, all students with disabilities who require significant supports can benefit from meaningful educational opportunities no matter what school they currently attend. A milestone of the work thus far is NOLA-PS’ new Specialized Programs Guide and streamlined referral process, both developed in partnership with CLE. The guide highlights ten specialized programs for students with significant disabilities […]