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By Melissa Taylor, President
Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education
The Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special
Education (IAASE) is an influential, progressive
organization dedicated to increasing positive
outcomes for students with disabilities through
legislative activism, high-quality professional
development, collaboration, and networking
opportunities for its members. With nearly 1,200
members, IAASE is the largest professional
organization of special education administrators in
the United States. IAASE members represent the
organization on key statewide committees and are
actively involved at the state and federal levels.
As administrators, we are faced with
unprecedented economic conditions coupled with
significant education reform. At the same time that
financial resources are dwindling in districts across
the state, the expectations for accountability and
improved outcomes continue to rise. The Office of
Special Education Programs has revised the federal
accountability system for special education to one of
Results-Driven Accountability, which shifts the
balance away from compliance to an emphasis on
results.
Improved outcomes for students come only through
collaborative efforts of general education and special
education. Almost 300,000 of our 2.1 million Illinois
school children receive some level of special
Special Education faces same budget,
accountability hurdles as general education
Melissa Taylor is the President of
the Illinois Alliance of
Administrators of Special
Education (IAASE). She has over
20 years of experience in special
education, both as a teacher and
administrator. She is currently the
Director of Student Services for
Belleville Township High School
District 201. Melissa has been a member of IAASE
for 10 years and IASA for four years.
Evolving practices in Illinois