Research abstract

White House Hosts Special Education Administrator at Listening Session

What happened when this public high school principal was invited to speak at the White House in front of an audience that included President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos? By Education Week

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Jane M. Quenneville, principal of a public school serving children severe disabilities, expressed concern over the lack of special education teachers and continued segregation of disabled students during a listening session with President Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Quenneville was among a group of parents and education professionals invited to the White House to discuss educating the disabled in public and private schools as well as in home-schooling environments.

Jane M. Quenneville, the principal of a public school that serves children and youths with severe disabilities, was among the parents and educators invited to the White House Tuesday for what was billed as a listening session with President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Among President Trump’s chief concerns is the prevalence of autism. A disorder that affects approximately one in 68 Americans (about five million), according to the Centers for Disease Control, autism disrupts children’s ability to communicate with the outside world. The rapid increase is due in part to misdiagnosis of autism as other often less severe learning and intellectually disabilities.

Key takeaways

  1. The White House hosted a variety of teachers including those in special education.
  2. The gathering at The White House was a listening and question session between Devos, teachers, and the President.
  3. The need for more special education teachers and advocates were discussed in the meeting.

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