Autism bill defeated in committee
This story has been published in WPCVA.com.
By Stacey R. Hamman
RICHMOND — Legislators killed a bill Thursday that would have established a tuition-assistance grant program for students with autism.
The Senate Education and Health Committee voted 10-5 to defeat Senate Bill 956. The bill would have allocated up to $20,000 a year per student to attend any private school that could address the student’s needs.
Private schools, such as The Faison School in Richmond, provide autistic students with a one-on-one learning dynamic, which is specialized to their needs. The Faison School’s campaign manager, Sarah Swope, said the school’s ultimate goal is to mainstream a student whenever feasible.
“For some students a more intense and rigorous program is needed and unfortunately, many times, cannot be provided within the public school system,” Swope said. “It is critical that these children are educated in a setting appropriate and tailored to their individual educational plan.”
Sen. R. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania, the committee chairman, said he worked as a director of special education for almost 15 years. Houck said he understood the fundamentals involved but still opposed the bill.
“It’s focused too much on the individual and not enough on the system,” Houck said. “I would much rather apply the money that’s accomplished in this bill to the entire public education system in Virginia.”
D. Patrick Lacy Jr., of the Virginia School Boards Association, agreed.
“Rather than dodge the fact that school systems do not have the resources, why don’t we address the resources that the school systems need versus this fix, which at best is a temporary fix – a patch,” Lacy said.
John Toscano, the president and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Autism Service, said out of 40 school divisions, there are 11 or 12 autism specialty schools around the commonwealth. Virginia’s public schools accommodate students with disabilities by referring them to specialized private schools or by maintaining the students within the public school system.
“Public schools are coming to see, for some children, placing a child in private school is a good investment for a year, two or three, and bringing that child back,” Toscano said.
Rob Martin, a board member of Commonwealth Autism Service, said his autistic son had a good experience at a Richmond public school for six years.
“Public school has served him very well,” Martin said. He also said his son will be going to a specialized private school.
“You get a lot of bang for your buck at these kinds of schools. It’s a very good investment,” Martin said. “(These schools) are incredibly dedicated. And they work for not a lot of money, but they provide a lot of services.”
Martin said his son’s public-school option would not be able to customize programs to each student.
“By vesting in the education of children in private schools, you’re enabling them to prosper more and ultimately become tax-paying citizens that are gainfully employed,” Martin said.
