THE REGENTS REFORM AGENDA AND ITS IMPACT ON CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHEN: February 11, 2014

6:00 8:00 p.m. WHAT: Capital District members of the State Legislature will host a panel discussion that will include special education teachers, administrators and parents of children with special needs. The discussion will help to determine the severity of the impact and how the educational system can best be adapted to ensure all children are receiving a quality education that will prepare them to achieve success. The panel discussion will help to determine the unique needs and challenges faced by students with special needs, and how increased assessment associated with the Common Core curriculum have exacerbated those challenges. While numerous public forums and hearings have been held on issues arising from increased testing and the implementation of the Common Core curriculum, the impact on children with special needs has not been fully examined. WHO: State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, 46th District Sate Senator Neil D. Breslin, 44th District Members of Assembly Patricia Fahy, 109th District Member of Assembly John T. McDonald III, 108th District Member of Assembly Steven F. McLaughlin, 107th District Member of Assembly Phil Steck, 110th District Robert Libby, Superintendent, Cohoes City Schools Dr. Rita Levay, Special Education Interim Director for Schenectady Bianca Tanis, Special Education teacher and mother of two children on the Autism Spectrum Meredith Gavin, Parent of child with special needs Katie Ferguson, Parent of child with special needs WHERE: Farnsworth Middle School 6072 State Farm Road Guilderland, NY 1208 AGENDA Public Forum: THE REGENTS REFORM AGENDA; And Its Impact on Children with Special Needs Farnsworth Middle School Tuesday, February 11, 2014 6 pm to 8 pm WELCOMING REMARKS; AGENDA a. Farnsworth MS Principal Michael Laster will deliver welcoming remarks; and b. explain format and the goal of a calm, respectful and productive presentation c. Explain that the speaking agenda has been set, but anyone with written testimony can submit it at the event, or prepare and submit at a later date. d. Announces the Legislators in attendance. So far, that list includes Senators Cecilia Tkaczyk and Neil Breslin, and Members of Assembly Pat Fahy, John McDonald and Steve McClaughlin INTRODUCTIONS Principal Laster will then thank and introduce our presenters: 1. Bianca Tanis is a Special Education teacher, and more importantly is also the mother of two children on the Autism Spectrum. 2. Katie Ferguson; New York State Teacher of the Year 2012. 3. Meredith Gavin, is the parent of a child with special needs 4. Dr. Rita Levay; is currently the Special Education Interim Director for the Schenectady School District, and she has also served as the Special Ed director for Bethlehem School District. 5. Robert Libby, Superintendent for the Cohoes City School District. PRESENTATIONS Each presenter will discuss their perspective for ten minutes, and Legislators will have an opportunity to ask a question of each presenter.