Washington Post: Unanimous D.C. Council panel advances special-education overhaul

Education reporter Michael Alison Chandler reports on the DC Council’s education committee unanimously supporting three special education reform bills. The bills, introduced by committee chairman David Catania, included a number of recommendations made by Children’s Law Center.

Judith Sandalow — executive director of the Children’s Law Center, which represents children with special needs and helped draft Catania’s legislation — also credited public schools with making significant improvements.

“Five years ago, or 10 years go, we would have laughed at this legislation because it would have been so unrealistic,” she said. With a new foundation in place, she said, the legislative package is realistic and could serve to push the schools “to move faster and farther.”

The legislation will go to the full Council for a vote in the fall.