Budget Proposal Latest Details
According to the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2011-2012 Executive Budget Proposal, it appears that the Governor and the legislators have worked out a compromise regarding the 4201 schools. The end agreement will not look like the current 4201 funding structure, nor the Governor’s proposal. Instead, it will be a combination of the two.
Nothing is etched in stone yet, as the bills are just now being written.
So as law makers continue their work this week to complete the budget processes and enact it into law, we will remain actively engaged with key stakeholders and advocates.
We also send out a HUGE thank you to the many Senators and Assembly Members who have brought light to this issue.
And, we will continue to invite Governor Cuomo to our schools for a first-hand observation of our students and how their needs are met, problems are solved, and lives enriched on a daily basis.
Rally at New York School for the Deaf
Students from New York School for the Deaf and Executive Director, Janet Dickinson, at a recent rally at their school in White Plains, NY. Also, a look inside a School for the Deaf.
Mill Neck Manor’s Save Our School Petition Rally
A child who is Deaf, blind or physically challenged did not cause the state’s financial deficit, yet in his 2011-12 budget proposal, Governor Cuomo has eliminated 4201 School funding for children with such disabilities. This puts Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf students in jeopardy, as well as those attending 10 other 4201 Schools across New York State. Mill Neck Manor thanks the State Assembly and Senate for approving the restoration of 4201 funding, and now we have to convince the Governor to the same.
Are you as outraged as we are? Do you fear for Deaf, blind and physically challenged students’ educational success? You can help encourage the Governor to restore this essential funding by signing a “Deaf Children Deserve Better” petition at Mill Neck Manor’s Save Our School Petition Rally, to be held at Broadway Mall in Hicksville on Saturday, March 26 from 11 am to closing. Visitors should enter the mall from the south side in between Macy’s and Target, and look for the entrance near Tax Tips and the Karate School. The Save Our School Petition Rally will be located in the center court.
Bring the family…Mill Neck’s mascot, Buddy Bear, will be on hand to teach children sign language. Opportunities will also be available to learn about Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf and the programs and services offered through the Mill Neck Family of Organizations. Please note, only New York State residents may sign the petition.
For more information, contact Nancy Leghart at (516) 628-4243 or nleghart@millneck.org. Visit www.millneck.org for the latest on the budget crisis, related news coverage, advocacy efforts and contact information. For more information about the Broadway Mall and for directions, visit http://www.broadwaymall.com/.
Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf is part of the Mill Neck Family of Organizations, a not-for-profit group dedicated to serving Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through educational, vocational and spiritual programs and services. For more information about any of its programs, please call (516) 922-4100 or visit http://www.millneck.org.
Dr. Harvey Goodstein’s Letter to Governor Cuomo
Dr. Harvey Goodstein, Professor Emeritus, received his bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University in 1965, his master’s degree from Catholic University and his Ph.D. from American University. His tenure at Gallaudet spanned over 30 years with much of it as a faculty member in the Mathematics Department.
His research in developmental mathematics formed the foundation of mathematics education for elementary and secondary teachers of the deaf across the nation.
Here is his letter to Governor Cuomo:
March 6, 2011
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
Dear Governor Cuomo:
This letter is in regard to your proposed changes in funding for the 4201 schools for the deaf, which will adversely affect deaf education programming at the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, NY, among others within your state.
Could you envision, for example, placing an English-speaking student in a French-speaking algebra class and expect the student to progress as well as a French-speaking student would? Or even with the “assistance” of a French-speaking “interpreter” who at best knows only first grade English?
Unfortunately, this has been precisely the educational situation all over the country today where a deaf student is placed in a public school setting, in an English speaking algebra class, with the “assistance” of an unqualified interpreter who at best knows only first grade American Sign Language.
The placement of the deaf student in a public school setting without any qualified and certified ASL interpreter clearly violates the student’s right to an appropriate and accessible education. Further, such placement in non-communicative and isolated environment ensures that the student painfully experiences a form of mental abuse.
I am fortunate to have graduated from NYSD and its widely accessible environment in which I not only could communicate directly with my teachers but also with my deaf classmates both inside and outside of the classroom. Indeed, in such environment my learning occurred continuously around the clock, 24/7. Thanks to both curricular and extra-curricular programming in a fully accessible NYSD environment, I have grown to be a confident, educated, and productive tax-paying citizen.
In general, teaching deaf students is far more complex than the uninitiated public has been led to believe. The one-size-fits-all concept cannot work in deaf education. Upon closer examination, you will see that most deaf students come from diverse communication backgrounds at home, and it would be infrequent that they possess sufficient ability in English to adequately function in a public school setting in spite of unqualified interpreters.
I strongly urge that you and the legislators give serious consideration to the 4201 funding proposal and make appropriate decisions to ensure the continued existence of NYSD and all the 4201 schools for the deaf to benefit many generations of deaf and hard of hearing students.
Thank you in advance for your support,
[signed]
Harvey Goodstein, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Gallaudet University
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Gallaudet University
Rally at New York School for the Deaf
On Tuesday, March 15, 2011, New York School for the Deaf held a rally on their campus in White Plains, NY. The event featuring students, parents and legislators had an estimated crowd of 400 in attendance.
Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Comments on Governor Cuomo’s Proposal and Why its a Bad Idea
Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Paul Feiner, took the time to attend the rally at New York School for the Deaf on Tuesday, March 15 and posted the following on his blog:
GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET COULD LEAD TO CLOSING OF NY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF–IT SHOULDN’T HAPPEN
The closing of this school will destroy NY State’s reputation as having the finest system of deaf education in the nation. There are serious consequences that the proposal will have on deaf children.
Read the rest of the post at Supervisor Feiner’s Blog HERE.
TONIGHT: Rally at New York School for the Deaf – Tuesday, March 15 at 6PM
We’re taking our message to our local legislators and local media and we would like you to join us!
Please join us at the New York School for the Deaf on Tuesday, March 15. Bring your families and your neighbors.
Parents will be speaking,…Students will be performing….and the MEDIA will be here!! TV crews and newspaper reporters are coming. We need to take our message LOCAL and motivate our local Senators and Assembly Members to support us when they vote for their house budgets next week!
New York School for the Deaf is at 555 Knollwood Road, White Plains, NY 10603.
CLICK for Directions.
Wednesday, March 16 – Neighborhood Walk
St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf, Lavelle Institute for the Blind and NY Institute for Special Education are planning a neighborhood walk with students, parents and staff from each school.
From St. Joseph’s School: We are planning to walk up and down E. Tremont Ave between the Bruckner Blvd. service road and Randall Ave. We decided we would use the occasion of our annual “St. Joseph’s Spirit Day” as an opportunity to educate our neighbors about the critical budget crisis we are now facing. We will be walking along both sides of Tremont Avenue with signs, pom-poms, balloons, and lots of spirit to meet and greet our local merchants and hand out flyers making them aware of our plight.
Click Parade Flyer for more details.
Albany Citizen One Covers The Rally
4201 Schools: This is REALLY What Democracy Looks Like
So, today, I stood and observed a different group in brightly colored shirts sit quietly in the Well of the LOB and soon I realized they were signing. (Sign language has always amazed me…wish I could do it.) I watched kids in wheelchairs zipping around the room each of them, from what I overheard, well-aware of their reason for being there. NOW…”This is what democracy looks like.”
