House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

Posted:	December 16, 2021 10:45 AM
From:	Representative Dan L. Miller and Rep. Melissa L. Shusterman
To:	All House members
Subject:	Inclusion beyond the classroom

Thankfully, more students with disabilities are now being educated with their peers in their neighborhood school district. This is a good thing. But for too many, inclusion does not extend into the social and community fabric that offers most kids a place to engage, to discover new things, and to make friends along the way. Inclusion should not be limited to just hours of instruction. On average, 17% of PA students have an IEP, but yet many report no integration into extracurricular activities. To better understand the participation level of our students, this bill would amend the school code to require our schools to report the participation rate for students with exceptionalities in their extracurricular activities starting in grade 6. No personal information would be collected. This information will help us understand how far we have come in creating an inclusive environment for all our students to learn and grow in, and perhaps identify areas of concern that could be addressed either through state or local action. We have come a long way in opening doors of opportunity in our schools, but every door should be open. We must make certain that real opportunities to connect truly exist for every student. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. A draft of the language is included.
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Introduced as HB2180