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Clarification
Greetings: For students, parents, and community members concerned by the headline, “NMPASI laments SCOTUS case on students with disabilities” (Saipan Tribune, Jan. 24) let me help set the record straight.
There has been no high court decision that limits assistance the federal government provides—and requires—for students with disabilities.
But there is a case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court that could lower the federal standards for what public schools have to provide students with disabilities.
That is why in November I filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, along with 117 other members and former members of Congress, speaking up for students and their families.
A lower court has ruled that federal law only requires a “just-above-trivial” education for persons with disabilities. I believe that every person in our society should have the opportunity to reach his or her “maximum potential.”
And I believe it is the proper role of government to provide the “full educational services” needed so that everyone—of all abilities—can lead independent, productive lives.
To read the amicus brief, please visit http://sablan.house.gov/sites/sablan.house.gov/files/documents/15-827-amicus-petitioner-118-members-of-congress.pdf.
Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan
Delegate, Northern Mariana Islands
