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AFT Resolution

MENTALLY RETARDED CHILD

WHEREAS, the mentally retarded individual has potentialities that deserve the right to develop to the fullest extent; and

WHEREAS, school attendance has a normalizing effect upon children and produces desirable changes in the growth and development of the mentally retarded child; and

WHEREAS, better adjustment has been noted in the homes of children who have attended school; and

WHEREAS, the school is the best qualified agency to initiate and conduct parent-education programs, educational research, and curriculum development:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers advocate that the mentally retarded child has the right to be developed to the maximum of his ability; and

RESOLVED, that the mentally retarded child be (1) educationally diagnosed, (2) physically examined, (3) placed in the best educational program available, (4) taught by qualified personnel, (5) periodically evaluated as to progress, further training, personal and social adjustment.

(1959)

Please note that a newer resolution, or portion of a resolution, may have superseded an earlier resolution on the same subject. As a result, with the exception of resolutions adopted at our most recent AFT convention, resolutions do not necessarily reflect current AFT policies.