Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District V. Rowley (1981-1982)

Amy Rowley, a deaf student in the Hendrick Hudson Central School District in New York was living with a disability.  She had minimal hearing but was able to read lips very well.  Before entering kindergarten at Furnace Woods School in Peekskill, NY, Amy's parents met with school officials to discuss the best options for Amy's education.  Amy had minimal residual hearing.  It was decided that Amy would be placed in a normal kindergarten class as a trial as a way of seeing how Amy would adjust and also so that professionals could better access the needs of Amy in the the classroom as it pertains to her learning.  School officials prepared for Amy by attending staff development opportunities to gain knowledge in sign language to better communicate with Amy and also her parents (who were also deaf).  Amy remained in the class she was placed in.  She was issued an FM hearing aid to improve her hearing while in the classroom.  An IEP was completed on Amy's goals.  In addition to the components of her IEP, Amy's parents thought that Amy needed a sign language interpreter in all of her classes to help her to succeed.  After a trial period of a sign language interpreter in classses with Amy and testimony from the interpreter, Amy's teachers, the decision was made that it was not necessary for Amy to have the interpreter to assist her in communication at school.
After services from the sign language interpreter were denied, Amy's parents recieved a hearing in which the results expressed that Amy was not receiving a "Free appropriate public education".  This meant that Amy was not able to perform to her full potential as the other children were able to in the classroom that did not have a disability.
The courts ruled in favor of the school district in this case.  It was a matter of wheter or not the educational opportuity that Amy had was "appropriate".  The act passed allowed children with disabilities to a free public education with some specialized services.


Information gatered from:  http://www.listen-up.org/dnload4/rowley.pdf

Hello CDFR 4300!!!

My name is Tiffany Gibbons.  I am taking this class seeking a Birth Thru Kindergarten Teacher License.  I graduated in May 2008 with a BS in Family and Community Services.  I'm currently working as the Lead Teacher in a More at Four classroom in Greenville, North Carolina.  I really enjoy working with children!  There is NEVER a dull moment in a classroom of 4 and 5 year olds.

I'm married to my best friend, an amazing man who is currently serving in the US Navy in Afghanistan.  Please keep him in your prayers as he returns home at the end of JULY. (YAY!!!!) He left last June and this has truly been a long hard year for me as God has been faithful through every tear.

My favorite color is Red.  The beach is where I'd like to be at this very moment.  I love to see and hear children laugh.  My church, Koinonia Christian Center in Greenville, NC, means the world to me and I enjoy the great times of fun, fellowship, serving in ministry, and worship that I experience there.  I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, traveling, and pajamas and a blanket on a cold and rainy day.

Looking forward to a great summer class with you all!!!!  May God's Best Be Yours!