Petition to Oppose Oklahoma Senate Bill 1017 (SB 1017)
To: Oklahoma State Legislature
From: Concerned Parents, Educators, and Advocates for Children with Special Needs

Subject: Oppose SB 1017’s Harmful Impact on Special Education Services

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose Oklahoma Senate Bill 1017 (SB 1017) due to its detrimental effects on children with special needs. SB 1017 proposes to take away critical support services that many students depend on daily, such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Additionally, this bill proposes removing accommodations, modifications, and assistive technology from being directly included in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and instead attaching them as separate documents. This change threatens to undermine the legal protections and accountability that children with disabilities rely on to access a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Why We Oppose SB 1017:

Eliminates Essential Support Services: SB 1017 proposes to take away critical support services that many students with special needs depend on daily, including behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. These services are vital for the development and success of children with disabilities, and their removal would severely hinder their ability to thrive in educational environments.

Weakens Legal Protections: By detaching critical supports from the IEP, SB 1017 risks diminishing their enforceability. Accommodations and assistive technologies like speech-generating devices (“talkers”) are essential, and their removal from the IEP body creates legal ambiguity that could prevent students from receiving the services they need.

Reduces Accountability: Schools may alter or remove services without formal IEP team meetings or parental consent, limiting parental involvement and reducing transparency. This change would undermine the collaborative process that IDEA mandates.

Jeopardizes Communication and Learning: Students who rely on assistive technologies and tailored accommodations risk losing access to vital tools, impairing their ability to communicate and learn effectively. This could have long-term negative impacts on their academic and social development.

Creates Barriers for Families: Parents and guardians will face increased challenges advocating for their children’s needs, as the detachment of services from the IEP could limit their ability to seek legal recourse if schools fail to provide necessary supports.

Our Children Deserve Better:

Children with disabilities deserve comprehensive, legally protected educational plans that ensure they have equal opportunities to succeed. SB 1017 undermines these protections, placing vulnerable students at risk.

We urge the Oklahoma State Legislature to reject SB 1017 in its current form and to prioritize legislation that strengthens, rather than weakens, the educational rights of children with special needs.

By signing this petition, you are standing with families, educators, and advocates who believe in protecting the rights of all students to receive the support and services they need to thrive.

 

Thank you for supporting Oklahoma’s children and helping us ensure that every student receives the education they deserve.

Sign this petition to join the fight against Bill SB1017. Stand up for justice, democracy, and equality for all citizens of our beloved state.