Had officials embraced the meeting as an opportunity to open a dialogue with their customers, some of their current woes could have been avoided. The newly formed California Coalition of Special Education Parent Groups has adopted as its mission the goal of maximizing parent participation in special education policy development and decision making. This is not a threat to education officials, it is an opportunity. Officials should not miss yet another opportunity to put their house in order by inviting consumers in to help. Parents are willing to put the past behind them.
Parents are ready for a new beginning.