Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education
2008 Legislative Positions 

The Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE) provides leadership and support to members by shaping policies and practices which impact the quality of education for students with exceptionalities. G-CASE believes that: 

• All students in Georgia have a right to a quality education which will enable them to develop to their maximum potential in the least restrictive environment.
   
• Local administrators of special education make a difference in the quality and future of the lives of individuals with exceptionalities and their families within the educational system and the community.

Educational Priorities and Positions

The Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education believes that adequate funds must be provided to carry out the state mandates of educating students with exceptionalities and the implementation of education reforms enacted into law by the General Assembly and the Governor of Georgia. A sound tax structure is needed to provide the mechanism for generating the funds required for public education. A funding formula must be developed that is understandable, equitable, and that provides adequate funds for all students in grades K-12 in the least restrictive environment. G-CASE believes that adequate funds must be made available to: 

Provide the full cost of a nurse at each base size school.

Rationale: More children are coming to school with significant medical and health issues. Many of these children are medically fragile and must be monitored closely in regular education and in special education classes. 

Provide funding for necessary supportive services for disruptive students.

Rationale: As the number of disruptive students in our schools increases, additional specially trained personnel must be available to afford these students the best possible opportunity to continue their education.

Provide funding for professional learning opportunities for teachers that relate to the actual costs incurred.

Rationale: teachers must be able to meet the requirements for Highly Qualified as defined by NCLB and IDEA.

Provide funding for research-based interventions for at-risk learners.

Rationale: With the evolution of more rigorous state standards and the development of the Pyramid of Interventions, additional funding is needed to provide highly successful research-based interventions to struggling learners.

Provide funding for services for children ages 3 through 5 with exceptionalities.

Rationale: Services for children ages 3 through 5 have never been adequately funded. Early intervention is a key to long-term success for students with learning impairments.

Provide funding for students with exceptionalities across all segments of the instructional day.

Rationale: Students with exceptionalities served within a regular classroom require modifications and accommodations, including support personnel, in order to be successfully integrated into the general curriculum.