Scooter’s Bill passes Texas Senate

To most people, high school graduation marks the start of a career or college education. But to Scooter, it marks the start of his struggle for equality for students with disabilities.

With the looming Scooter’s Bill, his effort may finally come to fruition. The bill, officially known as SB 673, is named after

Gene “Scooter” Long, an El Centro College student. It will allow students receiving special education services who have completed four years of high school to participate in graduation ceremonies and receive an attendance certificate.

“Gene ‘Scooter’ Long’s hard work and dedication made this bill possible,” said state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who sponsors the bill. “I am proud to sponsor this bill named for its champion. I believe that it is important for students with disabilities to celebrate their scholastic accomplishments with their peers and have a sense of closure as their classmates move on and leave campus.”

Scooter is an adopted son of Dr. Linda Long, a speech professor at North Lake, and her husband, Ralph Long, a speech professor at Collin County Community College.

He was born with a condition known as hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain that adversely affects his thoughts and behavior. “He was born with a lot of disabilities,” said Dr. Enrique Chamberlain, North Lake head faculty librarian, who has known Scooter since he was born in 1984. “The doctor said he wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, or live more than three years. He beats the odds. Both Linda and Ralph make his life as normal as possible.”

In 1990, Scooter was one of the first Dallas Independent School District (DISD) students to join an Individualized Education Program (IEP). IEP places students with disabilities in mainstream classes.

In 2002 at age 18, Scooter completed four years of high school but was denied participation in the Hillcrest High School graduation ceremony with the students who had been his classmates since the first grade.

Despite a petition from his 112 classmates, the Dallas School Board rejected Scooter’s graduation participation request because he opted for continuing with IEP beyond the fourth year. Under the federal law of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities may remain in school until age 21.

Later, Scooter’s courage and tenacity to fight for his rights attracted the media attention from newspapers to television stations, triggering an outpouring of support from all over Texas.

The case went to the federal court, which ruled in favor of the DISD. It claimed that the graduation policy was within the school board’s discretion. But Scooter never let these roadblocks keep him from his goal.

With the assistance from Advocacy Inc., and the Arc of Texas, the struggle took him to the Texas Legislature in Austin. Advocacy Inc. is a federally funded organization that provides legal assistance to people with disabilities. The Arc of Texas is a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The breakthrough came in early 2006 when Zaffirini agreed to sponsor the bill.

“We are the name and the face, but when it comes to doing the dirty work, Advocacy Inc., Arc of Texas and Sen. Zaffirini’s staff came up with the bill,” Ralph Long said. “It’s such a fundamental principle of public education. It’s logical, humane, ethical and fair.”

After going through a transition program, Scooter received his high school diploma in 2006. Now 23, he attends a workforce training program for students with disabilities at El Centro College.

“He is a caring and considerate person who really cares about other students, teachers and others,” said Patti Levy, Scooter’s instructor at El Centro. “Even though he will not benefit from the bill, I could imagine that he will be happy that the bill will help those who graduate in the future.”

In March, Scooter testified before the Senate Education Committee and the House Public Education Committee. Rona Statman, director of family support services at the Arc of Texas, applauded Scooter’s courage to stand up for his and other disabled students’ rights.

“Scooter came to testify and did a fabulous job. He stood there not for himself but he was an advocate for other people,” Statman said.

Scooter’s Bill passed the Senate unanimously on March 14, and is now going for a full vote in the House of Representatives. Zaffirini said Scooter’s Bill was expected to pass the House and become a law.

“It’s wonderful and long overdue,” Linda Long said. “We’re so excited about Scooter’s Bill and what it would do to Scooter’s selfesteem. It gives him self-worth and doesn’t make him feel like a second- class citizen.”