Special Education Letter to Governor Thompson

March 2, 2000

Governor Tommy G. Thompson
125 South
State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702

Dear Governor Thompson:

Congratulations on being named chairman of the National Educational Goals Panel. The course the panel sets for the nation will have far-reaching implications for educational policy decisions made in the states.

Given that the panel is a bipartisan group composed of federal and state officials, I encourage you to bring to the forefront of discussion the vexing issues surrounding special education. The issue seems particularly relevant in addressing goals for teacher education and professional development. Ensuring that teachers appropriately identify students for special education merits scrutiny by policymakers.

While financing special education might not fit neatly into the work of the National Educational Goals Panel, I urge you to use your leadership position as the dean of the nation's governors to raise the issue's profile. One of our nation's goals should be to form a better partnership between the state and federal governments to finance mandated special education programs and services. While Congress authorized reimbursing states for 40 percent of the costs associated with special education, Wisconsin's reimbursement rate is less than five percent.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss special education issues with you and appreciate your consideration of my concerns.

Sincerely,

Art Rainwater
Superintendent of Schools