SESAP seeks BOE help to boost special ed

The Special Education State Advisory Panel has called on members of the State Board of Education to address what panel members called as “atrocious” situation of Northern Marianas’ special education that has denied over 270 students with disabilities of unique educational services.

SESAP Chair Ted Seaman appealed to BOE members to have more active involvement in uplifting the quality of services offered to special education students and to expedite the selection of advisory panel members that would finally complete SESAP.

“We need authorities to pronounce SESAP as a legitimate panel working for the improvement of CNMI’s special education,” said Mr. Seaman.

According to Mr. Seaman, at least 50 percent of the panel’s membership must comprise of persons with disabilities or parents/guardians of individuals with disabilities.

During a BOE meeting last week, the new SESAP chair underscored the significance of the organization as advocates for the plight of children with disabilities.

“We can administer due process hearings that can really assist students in need,” said Mr. Seaman.

A concerned parent, Mr. Khalid Abdullah Islam, also sought the BOE’s assistance as he narrated on certain “realities” besetting CNMI’s special education program today.

“As a parent of a kid with disability, I know that CNMI’s special education needs are not being met,” said Mr. Islam.

He cited PSS’ insufficient services offered to students in special education, particularly the lack of specialists such as speech therapists and psychiatrists.

“We have the same problem today as we did way back in 1996. I encountered a letter written by the then PSS legal counsel dated 1996 talking about this problem but so far nothing has been done about it,” he said.

Tim Connor, Public School System legal counsel, advised BOE members to be conscious about the serious issues raised before them.

BOE member Anthony Pellegrino assured SESAP the board will do everything it can to assist the group.

“This is not a conspiracy to rule out special education. But we’re strapped for funds,” said Mr. Pellegrino.

Board member Esther Fleming pledged support to boost special education by recommending that the PSS Human Resources Office recruit the necessary specialized teachers to cater to special education students.

“If we can just work together, we can do it,” said Ms. Fleming.