STATEMENT ON SPECIAL EDUCATION

BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF MASSACHUSETTS

MARCH 16, 2000, BOSTON, MA -- As Bishops, each of us is pastor first. And, as pastors, perhaps among the most beautifully challenging task we have is the nurturance of those parents who are raising special needs children. Many of our children with severe disabilities are alive today as a result of modern medicine and their parents’ love and prayers. They bring great joy and love to their families and remind us all of God’s great love.

These young ones with obvious physical as well as those with hidden disabilities, students in both public and non-public schools, have as much claim on the concern of society and its policy-makers as their non-disabled peers do.

We are deeply troubled, therefore, by a public debate on special education that applies a simple cost benefit analysis to attempt to measure the value of these precious human lives. We are most concerned about the further marginalization of our disabled children in their own local communities – a marginalization resulting from their programming needs and the costs associated with them. No family should be made to feel guilt and shame over the educational needs of their children.

Therefore, we strongly urge the Governor and the members of the General Court to preserve Massachusetts’ "Maximum Feasible Benefit" standard in special education as part of the Commonwealth’s special education statute. Even with today’s strong laws, too many parents constantly struggle to obtain the necessary services for their children. The "Maximum Feasible Benefit" standard is essential to overcoming the prejudicial views about the limited potential of disabled students and freeing them to develop their God-given potential.

We pray for you, our public officials, as we pray for the parents of disabled children in our Commonwealth. Our hope and expectation is that you would be guided by what is best – and what is most just – for these very special children.

+His Eminence, Bernard Cardinal Law  Archbishop of Boston

+Most Reverend Thomas Dupre  Bishop of Springfield

+Most Reverend Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap Bishop of Fall River

+Most Reverend Daniel Reilly  Bishop of Worcester

CONTACTS

Gerald D’Avolio, Ex. Director (617) 367-6060 Boston, Mass. Catholic Conference

Stephen Perla, Ex. Director (978) 665-9890 Fitchburg, P.A.C.E.

John Walsh, Director (617) 746-5836 Boston, Communications Office

John Kearns, Director (508) 675-0211 Fall River, Communications Office

Michael Graziano, Director (413) 732-4546 Springfield, Communications Office

Raymond Delisle, Director (508) 791-5357 Worcester, Communications Office