As a parent, teacher advocate and public citizen I feel compelled to oppose the Virginia Special Education Regulations when it limits the rights of parents to participate in the decisions about their child.

As a teacher, I have had a very difficult time trying to understand and meet the needs to children who I found challenging in my class.  It was only through the insight of the parent that I was able to not only address the needs of the child, but also meet and surpass the objectives set for the child.  As a team, we are able to help children achieve their potential and feel the same confidence that we all feel when we do a job well.

Parents are an intrical part of their child's life and should not be eliminated because of a mistake in the law.

Please allow parents to remain the decision makers for their children and give them back the power to deside if their child remains in need of special education services.

Thank you,    

 Daaiyah  Rashid