AMESVI:
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This Association
is being formed in order to address the expressed needs of teachers and mobility instructors of students with visual impairments
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We serve a low-incidence population and frequently work in relative isolation from others
in our profession. The need for organization has long been felt as a means to provide both a voice in policy making and a
network of support to members of our profession in the Commonwealth.
As a network, the Association can
address the following:
--identify
members' needs for professional development and assist in meeting those needs
--identify people with experience and expertise in particular subject areas to be used
as resources
--inform
members of new ideas in the areas of assessment, curriculum, and service provision
--establish a computer network or create local "talk groups"
for sharing information
--produce
a newsletter
--inform
members of legislative and policy changes which will affect our students and our profession
--seek funding for programs that support the mission of the Association
As a voice for
teachers, the Association can address the following:
--propose statewide standards and advocate for quality services for all students with visual
impairments in the Commonwealth
--work to ensure that the
unique educational needs of our students are considered in the implementation of state and national education reform efforts:
e.g. the Massachusetts Education Reform Act and Goals 2000
--promote, on the state and local levels, national efforts to improve the standards for
educating students with visual impairments: e.g. the National Agenda and the Expanded Core Curriculum
--advocate on behalf of our students and ourselves
for passage of laws and policy changes which we view to be beneficial
--respond to legislative actions or educational decisions which have a potential impact
on the needs of our students
--interact
effectively with other agencies, schools, and organizations in the Commonwealth whose interests also focus on students with
visual impairments
The Bylaws of the Association of Massachusetts Educators of Students with Visual Impairments shall be interpreted in
a manner to further the above stated purposes of the organization.
Adopted: April 5, 1997
