Special Education

Get to Know Alexa Posny, Head of OSERS, Part 3

January 26, 2010 2 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

We wanted readers to get a chance to know Alexa Posny, who has held the role of assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services since the Senate confirmed her in October.

So Education Week submitted questions to Posny, the former Kansas education commissioner, and she sent back written responses, which we will print in this column in a few installments.

President Obama nominated Posny to the key federal post in July. The job has meant a return to Washington for Posny, who was director of the Education Department’s office of special education in 2006-07. She had been the Kansas commissioner of education since June 2007.

For part one of the interview click here. For part two of the interview click here.


Q. What did you learn last time about how Washington works, that you think will make your second time here different?

A. Washington is a remarkable venue within which to work. The focus is on legislative priorities that the majority of people perceive as important and game-changing. This is very similar to the work at a state level.

With that in mind, the most important thing I learned last time about how Washington works, is that making changes in policy leading to more effective practice takes time and patience. The outcomes and benefits are well worth the tremendous effort making effective policy changes take.

I also learned to never give up. If what we are trying to accomplish is truly important and the right avenue to take, then helping others understand why the change is needed and what benefits will be accrued is essential.

To move ideas forward then, you must have data, evidence, credibility, and a relentless focus on doing what’s best for the students.

Q. What issues should the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act reauthorization address?

A. The IDEA reauthorization should address the same issues that will soon be addressed in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization process. These issues also form the crux of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded reforms. They are:

  • A focus on high standards and rigorous assessments for every child.
  • Involving the most effective teachers and administrators in the system.
  • Providing intensive support for every school that struggles at any point in time.
  • Linking data systems to instruction and accountability systems.

Addressing these should not compromise IDEA’s overarching goals to:

  • Meet the unique needs of every child who might be in need of special education services.
  • Enhance effectiveness of what is provided throughout the system.
  • Empower parents to be partners of their children’s education.
  • Stressed the need for intervening early.
  • Accountability for results.

I don’t have any magical answers to how these will all be addressed in reauthorization or what the revised legislation might look like, but I’m looking forward to involving as many people as possible in that conversation--just as I’m glad to be part of the current conversations about ESEA reauthorization.

Photo of Alexa Posny, Director of The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the Department of Education, laughs during a staff meeting on Dec. 21, 2006, in Washington. Christopher Powers/Education Week-File

A version of this news article first appeared in the On Special Education blog.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Big Goals, Small Start: Building MTSS to Scale
MTSS is a powerful framework for supporting student success, but implementation can be challenging. Learn from districts about their MTSS success stories and challenges.
Content provided by Panorama Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Recruitment & Retention Webinar
Exploring Staff Shortage Impact on Education
Learn about the impact of staff shortages, changing roles of educators, and how technology supports teachers & students.
Content provided by Promethean
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Assessment Webinar
Improving Outcomes on State Assessments with Data-Driven Strategies
State testing is around the corner! Join us as we discuss how teachers can use formative data to drive improved outcomes on state assessments.
Content provided by Instructure

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Special Education What the Research Says How Do You Sign 'Pi'? New Sign-Language Terms Could Boost Scientific Literacy
Scientists are developing a sign-language lexicon of scientific terms for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
3 min read
Second graders Drayden Ayers, left, and Breeanna Runde work with Megan Johannsen, a teacher of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Dubuque, Iowa on Sept. 25, 2015.
Second-graders Drayden Ayers, left, and Breeanna Runde work with Megan Johannsen, a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing with the Dubuque Community School District, at Carver Elementary School in Dubuque, Iowa on Sept. 25, 2015.
Jessica Reilly/Telegraph Herald via AP
Special Education Obituary Judy Heumann, a Powerful Advocate for Special Education and Disability Rights, Dies at 75
The renowned activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75.
3 min read
Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., in June 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75.
Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., in June 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75.
Susan Ragan/AP
Special Education Some ADHD Medications Are in Short Supply. Schools Are Feeling the Fallout
A nationwide shortage of Adderall or its generic version has families and school nurses scrambling.
4 min read
Illustration of 3 adderall pills
DigitalVision Vectors
Special Education Universal Screening for Dyslexia Isn't Enough
A growing number of states are requiring schools to screen students for dyslexia, but advocates say that's just the first step.
7 min read
Scrambled letter tiles on a blue background
iStock/Getty