GDDC to distribute handbooks on inclusive education

The CNMI Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council will hold a special ceremony on Friday, March 12, 2000, at 2:00 p.m., at the Assistive Technology Center (Building No. 1310) in Capitol Hill to distribute over 200 best practices handbooks on inclusive education to the Head Start Program, Special Education Program, Early Childhood Program and Children’s Developmental Assistance Center.

Those invited to take part in this event are as follows:

1. Dr. Rita Inos, commissioner of education

2. Esther Fleming, Board of Education chair

3. Franklin Perez, coordinator, Special Education Program

4. Suzanne Lizama, coordinator, Early Childhood Program

5. Susana Macaranas, Coordinator, Children’s Developmental Assistance Center

6. Dino Taitano, administrator, Head Start Program

7. Members of the DD Council Executive Committee

In fiscal year 1999, the DD Council initiated the Inclusive Education Project. This project was awarded to Wayne State University of Michigan. The project consisted of site visits to various public schools in the CNMI, technical assistance extended to public school teachers and administrators, training on inclusive education for both parents and teachers (regular and special education) as well as a survey on the perceptions of parents and educators on how well the CNMI is progressing with regards to inclusive education. According to the survey, parents are satisfied with the educational services that their children with developmental disabilities are
receiving.