PRINTER'S NO. 3262
No. 264 Session of 1976
INTRODUCED BY TADDONIO AND PETRARCA, MAY 25, 1976
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MAY 25, 1976
In the House of Representatives, May 25, 1976
1 WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
2 to provide equal opportunity for all of its residents and
3 especially to those children who suffer from physical handicaps;
4 and
5 WHEREAS, The Department of Education has refused to approve
6 the preschool program for deaf children of the Pittsburgh
7 Hearing and Speech Society on the grounds of duplication of
8 services and escalating costs in special education; and
9 WHEREAS, The methodology used at the Pittsburgh Hearing and
10 Speech Society is acclaimed as superior by nationally recognized
11 experts and this is the only institution in western Pennsylvania
12 to offer an adequate program of this type; and
13 WHEREAS, Serious questions have arisen concerning the
14 objectivity of the evaluation team which denied approval of the
15 Pittsburgh Hearing and Speech Society program and there is an
16 implication that institutional politics are being used to the
17 detriment of the welfare of the deaf preschool children of
18 western Pennsylvania; therefore be it
1 RESOLVED, That a special committee of five members be
2 appointed by the Speaker of the House to hold hearings and
3 investigate the charges and determine if the best interests of
4 Pennsylvania's deaf children are being adequately served and to
5 recommend appropriate legislative action.
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