A change in leadership always brings uncertainty, and the United States federal oversight of special education is experiencing a passing of the torch. In late May, the Senate confirmed nominee Glenna Wright-Gallo as assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services at the U.S. Department of Education. Now, substantial changes are slated to occur as her leadership takes shape.

Regardless of which political candidate you support, a parent must never assume that their disabled student will receive fair treatment or full access to promised services. In fact, leadership changes can directly (and immediately) diminish the quality of special education.

Our Education Law Team is available to help with any problem disabled students experience. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online about your case.

Glenna Wright-Gallo Promises Change to Special Education (for Better or Worse)

As assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Glenna Wright-Gallo has about as much power as anyone to improve or diminish the state of special education policy in the United States. Her nomination, confirmation, and agenda should be of keen interest to any parent of a disabled student of any age.

If you believe the headlines, Gallo's early returns are positive. She has made it a priority to improve educational experiences for students who fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), specifically working to:

• Increase access to "evidence-based" approaches for treating students with disabilities across all 50 states
• Improve access to assistive technologies
• Increase collaboration among everyone involved in the special education process (including parents)
• Increase funding for IDEA and the services it allows for

Our firm will be eagerly monitoring progress towards these promises, as you should too.

Well-Intended Promises Too Often Fall Short—You Must Advocate for Your Student

Not every item on Wright-Gallo's agenda is promising. For instance, there is mention of using "distance learning best practices," which may strike skeptics as a return to pandemic-era hands-off teaching. Parents who believe ardently that their student deserves an in-person, hands-on education should follow such agenda items closely.

Even where parents find encouragement in Wright-Gallo's vision, remember that promises are easy to make. Time will tell if the assistant secretary follows through on her best-laid plans. In the meantime, continue advocating for your student.

The Lento Law Firm Advocates for Disabled Students

We would say that nobody advocates for disabled students as fervently as their own parents, but there's a caveat. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team helps parents and students:

• Receive the individualized education plans (IEPs) they are entitled to
• Ensure an education in the least restrictive environment (which generally means an education among peers)
• Secure all reasonable accommodations necessary to help the student maximize their learning and performance
• Ensure the student has physical, psychological, and emotional access to learning
• Prevent unfair discipline

If you face any issue that adversely affects a disabled student, we will help. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online about your case.