Senate Confirms New OSERS Chief #OSERS

On December 21st, the U S Senate confirmed the nomination of Johnny Collett as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Mr. Collett previously served as the Director of Special Education Outcomes at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), where he worked to support states in their efforts to raise expectations and improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. Previously, he served as Director of the Division of Learning Services and State Director of Special Education at the Kentucky Department of Education as well as worked as a high school special education teacher. Collett's nomination was widely praised by stakeholders; for example here is the statement by the National Disability Rights Network.

Here is an interview with the new Assistant Secretary in April, 2017. Here is an article on him in Disability Scoop.   Here is  his opening statement before the HELP committee of the House of Representatives. Here is the Assistant Secretary's twitter feed.