Sacramento, California, -- The hard work, commitment and passion of those who work in special education classrooms will be recognized on December 3rd, which has been declared "The Day of the Special Educator" by CARS+, the California Organization for Special Educators. "Without the dedication of my son's special education teacher, he would not be able to succeed in school," believes Marci Marino, a parent in Fremont. "All special educators deserve to be honored for the important work they do."

 Before President Gerald Ford signed the nation's first special education law on December 2, 1975, many students were denied access to education and opportunities to learn. The fate of many children with disabilities was likely to be dim.

 "States had laws excluding certain students, including children who were deaf, blind, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded,"  points out Linda Nimer, CARS+ president. "Too often persons with disabilities were merely accommodated rather than assessed, educated, and rehabilitated."

 That was all changed because of Public Law 94-142, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which assures a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities in states receiving federal funds.

 "The true spirit of the law could not be met without the right people to make this happen," acknowledges Dr. Phyllis Kaplan, retired Coordinator of the Mild/Moderate Credential and Master’s Degree Program at California State University East Bay in Hayward. "Special educators have vast knowledge of learning differences and how to meet their students unique needs."

 Special educators do more than deliver curriculum. They make sure accommodations have been met and help students overcome their weaknesses by building upon their strengths.

 "The December 2 anniversary of IDEA becoming law should be reserved to honor the students who are protected by the law," according to Nimer. "CARS+ chose the next date, December 3, as the most appropriate day to honor those educators who ensure special needs students have equal access to a free, appropriate public education."

 "The Day of the Special Educator" will be celebrated for the first time December 3, 2009 throughout California.  Planned activities include local and region events hosted by CARS+ members and other supporters of special education. 

 CARS+ is the only California organization whose sole purpose is to represent the unique needs of special education teachers. Founded in 1981 as a non-profit association dedicated to the support of resource specialists, the organization expanded its active membership in 1996 to include all special educators.  

 The organization is governed by a volunteer board of special educators.  The CARS+ Web site, www.carsplus.org, provides support for more than 2,000 members.