In 1974, the Massachusetts special education law Chapter 766 was passed, which required that all school districts provide education in a new and more inclusive way for students with special needs residing in their communities. The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES), then Hampshire Educational Collaborative (HEC), soon began to help districts in Hampshire County with programs that could support students with disabilities and engage them in their school communities. We hosted our first special education program at Hampshire College in 1975. As time went on, our special education...
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Apr
2024
29
50 Years of Belonging and Community for Students with Disabilities
In 1974, the Massachusetts special education law Chapter 766 was passed, which required that all school districts provide education in a new and more inclusive way for students with special needs residing in their communities. The Collaborative for Educational...
Apr
2024
22
New Title IX Rule Has Explicit Ban on Discrimination of LGBTQ+ Students
The new rule expands the definition of sex discrimination but doesn’t address transgender athletes’ participation in school sports LGBTQ+ students will receive explicit legal protection from sex discrimination and harassment under a long-awaited revision of Title...
Apr
2024
17
Two local school advocates tapped to lead state’s new Small and Rural Schools Committee
As rural schools and their challenges continue to become a more prominent topic at the state level, two local champions of Franklin County’s schools have been tapped to serve as co-chairs of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees’ (MASC) new Small and...
Apr
2024
4
Supporting Access to Educational Technology
In 1987, schools and districts were not commonly thinking about educational technology as a means to level the playing field for student opportunity. But CES (then named HEC) Executive Director Earl Batchelder was already testifying about it at the state hearings...
Apr
2024
3
Teaching disability history in schools is ‘long overdue,’ advocates say
Judy Heumann’s death last year was deeply felt in the disability community. Often called “the mother” of the disability rights movement, her activism had a lasting impact on millions of Americans. Yet many people don’t know her name. “She was a really strong...
Mar
2024
13
Student-Centered Programs Help Kids Feel Connected
“I love creating a community in the building and the students are part of that. The After School Program helps our kids to feel connected and that they have a voice.” – Lesley Wilson, JFK Middle School Principal, 2007 The first CES After School/21st Century...
Mar
2024
4
$100,000 Urban Agenda Grant Awarded to Enhance Food Security and Community Leadership in Hampshire County
The Collaborative for Educational Services’ Healthy Hampshire initiative is thrilled to announce a $100,000 grant from the Executive Office of Economic Development's Urban Agenda Grant Program to the Hampshire County Food Policy Council (HCFPC) for its Food Policy...
Mar
2024
4
At state budget hearing at GCC, school officials share unique challenges faced by rural districts
GREENFIELD — At the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ fiscal year 2025 state budget hearing on Friday, the focus was on statewide education and local aid. At the regional level, though, legislators, school officials and community members from up and down the...
Feb
2024
29
Emerging America shares stories of advocacy
“On behalf of CES, the Emerging America program works nationally in conversation with the Library of Congress and many other partners to support the full inclusion of students with disabilities in history and civics education. That includes development and sharing...
Feb
2024
21
Forum with legislators explores rural school aid, recreation tax and more
CHARLEMONT — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Natalie Blais fielded questions on rural school aid, potential recreation taxes, affordable housing and more during a recent public forum attended by roughly 20 residents. The “ReMarks and Refreshments” forum at...
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