BOE Candidates' Forum: October 17

October 8,2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coalition of Organizations Serving Students with Special Needs

Hosts Forum for Candidates for Montgomery County Board of Education

A broad coalition of organizations that serve the 17,000 Montgomery County students with special needs is hosting a public forum for the candidates running for the Board of Education. The forum will be held Sunday, October 17th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Rock Creek Church, 19100 Muncaster Road, Derwood, Maryland.

The event begins at 3:00 p.m. with an informal gathering and refreshments. The moderated forum will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. with an introduction of the candidates and brief opening remarks, panel discussion, audience questions, and candidates’ concluding remarks.

Prior to the forum, candidates were asked for written responses to questions that focused on a statement of shared expectations for special education in Montgomery County. Additional questions asked for candidates’ views regarding the selection of a new superintendent who would be responsive to students with special needs, the Board’s role of oversight, the elimination of services and placements for students with special needs, educational equity, and the disproportional representation of African-American students and other minorities in special education. Copies of the candidates’ answers will be available to attendees.

The coalition of organizations is united in bringing their shared interests about students with special needs to the attention of the candidates. The organizations include:

Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County

JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency)

Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County

Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

Montgomery County Parents Concerned for Continuum (MCPCC)

Mothers’ Alliance for Prayer and Support (MAPS)

NAACP, Montgomery County Branch

Organization of Chinese Americans – Greater Washington DC Chapter

Partnership for Extraordinary Minds

The Arc of Montgomery County
United to Save Special Education (USSE)



NOTE: Child Care will be provided.

For map and directions, visit www.rcreek.com



Contacts: Staci Daddona: 301-444-5225
Tom Jones: 301-907-9293