Maryland Legislation Would Make It Easier for Parents to Get Involved in Children's Education

Commentary from The Baltimore Sun by Curtis Valentine, founding executive director of MarylandCAN: The Maryland Campaign for Achievement Now, a nonprofit education advocacy organization, and  Eric Cole, the vice-chairman of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, a public policy organization that advocates for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Too many Maryland parents are engaged in a tug-of-war between their family's financial livelihood and their children's education. Sadly, in this economic downturn, financial needs often win the day.
The state cannot legislate parental involvement, but it can do everything in its power to reduce any barriers to it. That is why MarylandCAN: The Maryland Campaign for Achievement Now and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council stand together in support of SB 329/HB 567, legislation before the Maryland General Assembly that ensures parents and guardians the right to attend parent-teacher conferences, Individualized Education Program meetings, Individualized Family Service Plan meetings and 504 meetings without penalty from their employer.