The Arc of Indiana Blog

What would Amy do?

Amy Cook Lurvey was known as the Godmother of special education. Throughout her working career she was a tireless advocate to make sure that all students received the same opportunities in school, whether the student had a disability, had a non-English native language, or was highly gifted or talented.

When Amy passed away a few years ago, I lost my special education mentor. I never really had to dive into education issues because Amy always told me what to do and pretty much what to say. I followed her lead and was glad to learn from someone who was so well respected in the hallways of the State House. So when Amy passed away, I felt like The Arc of Indiana needed to take charge of special education issues. We have come a long way as we have a very strong education committee led by a tremendous advocate and father, Jeff Huffman. Together we have developed a strong working relationship with Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett.

Recently the Department of Education asked for The Arc’s position on an issue that may arise next session. Legislation is being considered to eliminate the bottom 5% of ISTEP scores from counting towards a teacher’s evaluation. I understand the concerns held by teachers and schools that a fair and equitable evaluation system must be developed. I understand that the evaluation may translate to a raise in salary and I will be the first to agree that many teachers are grossly underpaid for the important job they perform.

What I have a deep concern for is that people are willing to just “wipe away” students with disabilities and say they don’t count. Pioneers long before many of us fought hard to establish a Free and Appropriate Public Education for all students. They fought for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. They fought so that all students would matter and be counted and have the same opportunity for educational progress. Don’t we want all students to matter and be monitored for educational growth?

I will agree that some students with disabilities may not be able to pass the ISTEP – just as some students without disabilities will not be able to pass ISTEP. However, in a good school with good teachers, I am willing to bet that even those students who do not pass ISTEP have achieved some educational progress and growth. Why wouldn’t teachers and school want to be rewarded for that? What am I missing? If we allow students with disabilities to not count, then we will be rolling back the hands of time to a world that sent a different message to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. A message that says, “You don’t matter.”

In this day of the myriad of education reform efforts, I really would like to know, “What would Amy do?”

Amy Cook Lurvey, back row, last person, at the bill signing with Governor Evan Bayh establishing the First Steps and Early Childhood Education Programs.

Kim Dodson is The Arc of Indiana’s Associate Executive Director