A new state law that overhauls special education may need its own overhaul if the wave of criticism from education specialists is any indication.

The cause of the uproar is concern that students will suffer because educators are not getting enough help from state officials.

“As a superintendent, it is another big thing we have to deal with, with no guidance from the state,” said Kelli Joseph, St. Helena Parish school superintendent.

Joseph made her comments during an often-heated initial meeting of a 20-member committee that is supposed to help oversee implementation of a sweeping measure to make it easier for some special-education students to earn a high school diploma.

State Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, chairman of the panel and House sponsor of the law, repeatedly said he was dumbfounded that the issue is beset by so many questions and concerns.

“I am shocked at what I am hearing,” Schroder said at one point during an over three-hour gathering, and he sent a letter of complaint to state Superintendent of Education John White the next day.

Leaders of the state Department of Education said they have worked since June 6 to implement the law, including webinars and meetings with local school officials and special-education directors, and that more are planned.

“We are committed to giving them lots of support,” said Erin Bendily, assistant superintendent for policy and governmental affairs.

The state has about 70,000 special-education students, including those with learning disabilities, speech and language barriers, and hearing and vision problems.

Under the previous law, most high school students with disabilities took the same standardized tests as their peers.

Critics said that created huge barriers to graduation and helped make Louisiana one of the lowest-ranked states in the nation in the percentage of special-education students who earn traditional high school diplomas — 29 percent.

The new law authorizes a special-education student’s advisory team to hammer out an alternative path to graduation, regardless of how the student fares on standardized exams.

The Individualized Education Program advisers — known as an IEP team — are supposed to identify rigorous goals for the student and offer diagnostic information, monitoring, intensive instructional program and innovative methods, including flexible scheduling.

Doris Voitier, superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish school system and president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, said the new law poses a huge challenge for school districts.

In addition, the sweeping new rules — Act 833 — are supposed to be operating in school systems barely three months after the law was passed. But special-education officials, school principals and superintendents on the committee complained that they badly need guidance from the state Department of Education.

It seems obvious that the new law may not be ready. When it comes to education, state officials should not be so quick to make drastic changes.(MGNonline)