Special Education

School boards across the country are generally rejoicing over the decision by the Supreme Court that parents who appeal their child's special-education plan, usually to an administrative law judge, have the legal burden of proving that the plan was not "appropriate" under federal law. The parents in the case, Schaffer v. Weast, which originated in Montgomery County, claimed that the school system should bear the burden of proving that the child's plan...

Carroll County school officials told the Hampstead town council last night that they plan to use part of the old Hampstead Elementary School for a special education program for students with learning disabilities or serious emotional disturbances.Vernon Smith, director of school support services, said five classrooms have been prepared in the newest part of the building to house the program. The program has been renting space at Springfield Hospital Center, but has lost its lease.Dr. Harry Fogle, supervisor of special education, said 25 to 30 middle- and high-school students would participate in the Behavioral Education Support Team, or BEST, program beginning in the fall.

Because of inclement weather at the end of last week, The Howard County Public School System's Special Education Job Fair, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Harper's Choice Middle School, has been rescheduled for Jan. 31. The times and location will not be changed. Interviews that had been scheduled will be honored during the Jan. 31 job fair. Candidates who need to adjust the time of their interviews can visit www.hcpss.org. Information: Marya Pecukonis, 410-313-5694. HCC helps with student aid forms Howard Community College's office of Financial Aid Services invites students and their parents to receive free hands-on assistance in completing the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Howard County public school system's Department of Special Education and the Special Education Community Advisory Committee will sponsor an open forum for parents and members of the community at 7 o'clock tonight. Parents and community members will have an opportunity to choose from among seven small discussion groups - each including members of the Department of Special Education. Topics include graduation requirements and academic interventions to improve achievement; access to general education and a less restrictive environment; reading, writing and mathematics through eighth grade; and supporting children's social and emotional needs.

CHANGE Inc. will present a round-table discussion on special education at 7 p.m. tomorrow at 115 Stoner Ave. in Westminster.Harry Fogle, supervisor of special education for the Carroll County public schools, will discuss and answer questions about services, the special education budget and legislation, the future of federal funding and amending a child's special education plan.Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m. The discussion will begin at 7: 45 p.m.Information: 751-3079.FirePleasant Valley: Firefighters from Westminster assisted Pleasant Valley at 12: 49 p.m. Monday, responding for a fire alarm in the 2500 block of Littlestown Pike.

Douglas Paul Colletti, a special education teacher, died Jan. 24 of a heart attack at his home near Sedona, Ariz. The former Dundalk resident was 49. Born in Baltimore and raised on Del Haven Road in Dundalk, Mr. Colletti was a 1972 graduate of Patapsco High School. He earned an education degree from Frostburg State College and attended California State University, Los Angeles. He was a physical therapist for Harbor Hospital before moving to Los Angeles in 1983. After moving to Arizona, he taught high school special education courses.

Special education challenges everybody.Children must overcome disabilities that run the gamut from mild learning disorders to severe mental retardation or physical handicaps. Parents must see to it thattheir sons and daughters are given the chance to succeed.And the struggle doesn't stop with the family.Teachers spend countless hours helping students master skills many of us take for granted, while school officials are charged with ensuring both the legal and moral imperatives are met.Beginning today and continuing through Tuesday, reporter Dianne Williams Hayes and photographer GeorgeHolsey report on special education in Anne Arundel County.

Call it a primer on special education in Carroll County.An advisory committee of parents and educators is inviting the public to a forum at 7: 30 p.m. today to learn the hows and whys of the services for students with special needs."

Marilyn C. Graves, a special education teacher for 28 years at Baltimore's Rognel Heights Elementary School, died of cancer Jan. 16 at Mercy Medical Center. The Randallstown resident was 55. Born and raised Marilyn Matthews in Baltimore, she graduated from Edmondson High School and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in special education from Coppin State College. As a teen-ager, she planned to study nursing and volunteered as a candy striper at the old Provident Hospital. She later decided to pursue the same career as her mother, a special education teacher.