Spence bill creating new educational opportunities for autistic kids clears final Senate hurdle

Colorado's autistic children are one step closer to getting a school to call their own after the state Senate approved a Republican plan today establishing a charter school that caters to the needs of kids struggling with the disability.

Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, the GOP's ranking member on the Senate Education Committee, won support on both sides of the aisle as the full Senate passed Senate Bill 130, a groundbreaking proposal to create a charter school in the state with the specific charge of serving children with autism.

Spence, a leading statehouse voice for school reform, faced months-long opposition from charter school opponents, who argued that the plan would take money away from public schools and provide an unnecessary service to children with autism.  Spence maintained that the bill isn't about taking on the public-education bureaucracy or taking funding from public schools; it's about providing autistic children with a school that specifically serves their unique needs, she said.

"We have a responsibility to do more for families struggling to address the needs of their autistic kids," Spence said. "Children suffering from this disorder are just one small subsection of our society that aren't being adequately served by our public schools."

Several weeks ago, some Senate Democrats dug in their heals against the bill, arguing that it opened the door to a voucher program. Originally the plan included provisions that allowed parents of autistic children to apply for scholarships to be used for tuition at an eligible participating private school.

In committee the measure was amended to be charter-specific by Denver Democrat Sen. Chris Romer.  Romer is among several other Democrats supporting the measure, including Senate President Peter Groff and Senate Education Committee Chair Bob Bacon.

When news spread of the bill's success, Westminster resident Julie Williams expressed her elation with the innovative plan that could help many kids like her 11-year-old son Randi, who has autism.

"More options are greatly needed and cannot come soon enough," Williams said. "I hope to see this program expand across the state. I have spoken with several special-needs teachers, and they were also thrilled to hear about this wonderful option for our kid."