Michael Yudin, assistant secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), will visit Houston Monday and Tuesday for events aimed at promoting excellence in education for America's infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
At 9 a.m. CT Monday, Yudin will deliver the keynote address at The Arc of Texas' Inclusion Works! Conference on the topic, "Inclusion, Equity and Opportunity for Students with Disabilities."
That evening, Yudin will join a panel examining the "State of the State of Special Education." Ross Ramsey from The Texas Tribune will moderate the discussion, which will also include Sowmya Kumar with the Houston Independent School District Office of Special Education Services and Steve Aleman with Disability Rights Texas.
The conference brings together school officials, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to improve their skills in educating and supporting students in special education. The Arc of Texas is committed to promoting, protecting and advocating for students' right to be included in regular education settings with the appropriate aids and services.
Tuesday at 9 a.m.CT, Yudin will tour the Karol Musher STARS Program at the Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Center on the campus of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. This preschool partners with the Collaborative for Children, a nonprofit that strengthens early education throughout Greater Houston. Yudin will visit classrooms and participate in a roundtable discussion with parents, teachers and community leaders who will share their personal experiences on the importance of inclusive early learning for all children.