STOP MSDE FROM DECERTIFYING THE THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL THERAPISTS WORKING IN MARYLAND SCHOOLS IN THE SERVICE OF OUR CHILDREN. For many years the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administered a successful system of employee Certification over the teachers, therapists and other professionals charged with the education of our our kids. Recently, MSDE published its astounding proposal to change the Certificate program and force all school therapists out of existing and necessary MD Regulations. Suddenly, MSDE wants nothing less than a total repeal of the Certificate program over all occupational therapists,physical therapists, and speech language pathologists working in Maryland schools. MSDE admits its proposal would bring significant economic harm to thousande of school therapists.

To decouple the traditional Teacher-Therapist bond from the important partnership teachers and school based therapists have held for decades, can only spell very bad for school kids with special needs. If passed, the decertification effort now underway will serve to deny school therapists from basic protections promised at the start of their public school careers. Collective bargaining, due process, tenure, sick leave, all of these will likely be lost to school therapists.

Why is MSDE doing this? Are Certified school psychologists next soon to face the same fate? Will MSDE be allowed to destroy the special relationship developed over generations of educational experience between school teachers and therapist specialists, whose close association is so essential to the crucial job educating our youngsters? MSDE’s assault on school therapists must be halted before its too late. We have untill only July 7, 2008 when the public comment period will close. Write your opposition today, while you still have time.

Please See the attachment linked to the Files Section found on the left side oh this page for access to the letter and supporting documentation.