Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children

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The Children's Action Network Distributed a Legislative Platform for the 2007 Session
MNCEC 2007 Legislative Platform (pdf)

Our concern for recent state policy developments relating to special education and students with disabilities has resulted in the first legislative platform produced by the Children’s Action Network (CAN) Committee in quite some time. The CAN committee and the Board of Directors of the MN Council of Exceptional Children felt it was important for MNCEC to communicate the significance of special education to our state Legislators.

We have learned that Legislators tend to listen most attentively to their own constituents. For this reason, we are asking that you contact your Minnesota State Senator and/or Representative, and express your concerns regarding the support for special education in Minnesota and share this document with them. It is our hope that by tapping the strength of our membership throughout the state, we can make a significant impact upon our profession and the children we serve.

MN CEC's Children's Action Network's (CAN) current efforts involve bringing together representatives from statewide advocacy and education organizations via a series of roundtable discussions. The purpose of these dialogues is to identify common causes and direct advocacy efforts toward achieving joint goals, a common-sense collaboration within this climate of uncertainty and diminishing resources. For more information regarding state and federal political activity and advocacy opportunities related to these issues, please explore the following websites:

Council for Exception Children's Legislative Action Center Website
"The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted." This site contains CEC's Public Policy and Legislative Information. and includes an "Action Alert" window that contains current legislative updates. Viewers can access information regarding how to contact their elected officials.
http://www.capwiz.com/cek/home/

Minnesota Legislature Website
This site is the home page for the Minnesota State Legislature. Viewers can find information on legislation, bill status, statues, and the legislative schedule.
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

Legislation Tracking and Bill Status
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp

ARC Minnesota Legislative Website
"The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families." This site is set up similar to the CEC's Legislative Action Center, however, it focuses on Minnesota government. There is "Action Aler"t information and a quick elected official finder.
http://capwiz.com/thearc/officials/state/?lvl=C&state=mn

PACER Center's Legislative Information Page
PACER's mission is "to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents." This site has information on legislative actions at federal and state levels. It also has links and information regarding position papers and roundtable discussions relevant to students with disabilities.
http://www.pacer.org/legislation/index.htm