Education officials are asking lawmakers for $52 million in additional spending to hire more teachers to address the rising number of students with special needs. Officials claim that of the more than 1,100 additional students enrolled in school this year, more than 900 receive special education services.
Delaware’s special education student population has grown by 22 percent in the last five years. Providing special education services is one of the largest funding pressures for the state Dept. of Education. In forming the state budget, lawmakers want answers explaining this growth.
The U.S. Dept. of Education is increasing transparency by posting information online about all current claims against schools and colleges being investigated for disability, race, sex and age discrimination. The department is currently investigating more than 4,000 disability discrimination cases.
The National Association for the Deaf recruited Newark native Alexandria Wailes to provide ASL interpretation of “America the Beautiful” and the national anthem at the 52nd Super Bowl. Wailes says she also signed at the 1993 Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton.
DART’s decision to remove several routes that stop in Rodney Square was met with resistance from the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Members of the Wilmington City Council have sent a letter to the Delaware Transit Corporation, requesting installation of benches and more lighting for the new bus stops.
