Office of the Education Ombudsman May Be Eliminated
I concur with this effort on the part of the Washington State PTSA as this office helps people who have nowhere else to go as well as head off possible lawsuits that end up costing the state more money. From the WA State PTSA: Education Ombudsmen are trained problem-solvers who bring families and educators together to resolve conflict and disputes that otherwise drive kids out of school. As impartial third parties, they provide consultation, coaching, facilitation, and mediation. This is the first agency of its kind in the nation and it offers our K-12 schools innovative, cost-effective alternatives to costly lawsuits and administrative hearings. It promotes continual improvement while collecting data so it can advise all educators, families, students and other government agencies on which steps we need to take to keep kids in school . Most of their cases deal with special education or bullying and harassment. The Washington State PTA strongly supports this office. It is beneficial to...