HISTORY OF ASK
Advocates for Special Kids
(formerly known as
Parent Network) was formed in May 1997 by a group of Manhattan Beach
parents whose children receive special education services in the
district. These parents had
become aware of the need to understand all placement options that were
supposed to be available to their children, as well as services to
support their children in their least restrictive environment [LRE]
pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Since
then, many more families have become involved with ASK and benefit from
the support and education they gain from attending our regularly
scheduled meetings. These
meetings provide information about services within the district,
resources in the community, upcoming trainings and workshops, as well as
the most current updates on special education law and pending
legislation affecting their child’s education.
ASK
has made presentations at the Integration Institute Conferences and Cal
TASH. These presentations
have covered areas such as how to start a parent support group and the
need for parents to be connected; how parents can educate themselves
about their rights and responsibilities under IDEA; and why parents
might feel the general education classroom with supplementary aids and
services is their child’s least restrictive environment.
ASK parents have served on panels that have made presentations
for CSULB and UCLA extension classes on serving students with special
needs in general ed classrooms. ASK
parents have also attended conferences and workshops at the local, state
and national level regarding various disabilities.
ASK’s
mission is to promote the principle that all children can learn
together; the acceptance of diversity; family awareness of rights and
options for receiving special education services for their child;
children being taught in the least restrictive environment; district
collaboration and community awareness of the importance of educating all
students together to reach their individual potential. ASK supports
family choice and advocates for the full continuum of special education
services for all children.
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