Perkins hosts hearing on state education funding

In these difficult economic times, adequate special education funding is more important than ever to ensure students with disabilities are provided with resources they need to excel.

On November 5, the Readiness Finance Commission of the Executive Office of Education held a public hearing at Perkins on financing public education in Massachusetts. The committee heard testimony from a wide array of constituents including Perkins President Steven Rothstein.

Rothstein said state funding of special education has unfairly limited the educational resources Perkins and other private special education schools are able to provide students. He noted that last fiscal year, public schools received a 6% funding increase while private special education schools received less than 3%. The funding gap limits opportunities for students with special needs.

Perkins serves roughly 200 students who are visually impaired, blind and deafblind on campus and thousands more in public schools. These students thrive on highly individualized services including mobility training, physical therapy, and assistive technology. These resources are costly. For example, last year one chemistry braille textbook cost $1,300 for one student.

"Our students face far greater challenges than most of us here today and yet they are being denied an equal education opportunity. They also have enormous opportunities in their future," Rothstein said, referring to Massachusetts Commissioner for the Blind Janet LaBreck, who attended Perkins for seven years.

Now is the time to make sure students with the most extensive special needs of all children in Massachusetts are given the best possible educational opportunities and resources.

The Readiness Commission is co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Judy Bigby and by Education Secretary Paul Reville, who moderated the hearing. The commission is charged with handling funding under Gov. Deval Patrick's education reform proposals.