FAWCO Update July 2003

True to its goals, FAWCO continues to serve as a support network for Americans residing abroad. Please take some time to read the following important updates on:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Citizenship, especially of children born overseas; selective service registration of male U.S. Citizens; registration at a U.S. Embassy; passports; and security since 9-11

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

As you read this, Congress is deciding whether or not to give hope and help to children who are struggling in school. Congress’ discussions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) could potentially undermine the rights of children with learning problems.

Outdated educational policies require literally millions of struggling students to fail at least one or more years of school before getting the extra help they need to learn to read and succeed academically. According to a new poll by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the majority of parents and teachers say it takes too long for students with learning problems to be identified.

Congress is currently debating updating the IDEA. The version of IDEA being discussed contains key provisions that serve struggling learners but also incorporates a number of other controversial provisions that have the potential to undermine the rights of children with learning problems.

FAWCO and the KeepKidsLearning Organization are urging the Senate to pass a bill that includes provisions to:

Eliminate the "wait to fail" model that forces children to fail two or more years of school before getting help for learning problems.
Enable schools to provide early help to children experiencing learning problems using research-based and tested interventions.

and does not:

Weaken essential elements of Individualized Education Programs for students with learning problems and limit the accommodations that can be made for students taking part in district and state assessments.
Allow schools to unilaterally expel any child with a disability if it determines the child violated a school's "code of conduct," regardless of whether the conduct was connected to the student's disability.

Here's how you can help:

Tell your Senators to Keep Kids Learning! Ask your Senators to give early help to struggling students by (a.) writing a letter to your Senator asking for his or her support in working to improve the IDEA or (b.) going to http://www.keepkidslearning.org/keepkidslearning/write_congress.html to send an email to your Senator. To find your Senator, enter the ZIP code of your last U.S. address in the space provided.

Spread the Word. Let your friends know their voice can be a powerful force. Urge them to write or email their Senators too.

Visit http://www.keepkidslearning.org frequently for the latest developments.

Citizenship News

For a full report on news for U.S. Citizens as of April 2003, click here.