Developments and Progress: WOMOTC State-wide Survey—
Multiples’ Placement in Wisconsin’s Classrooms—A
Parental Choice?
Our two-year survey is now coming to fruition. We
have received a great response from mothers of twins across Wisconsin voicing their opinions concerning their multiples in
the classroom. I want to thank all the mothers of twins who took the time to contact me and share their
experiences with me. I look forward to sharing the results of our survey with all of you at Fall Convention
2008 in West Bend, WI.
Since the last newsletter update, in July of 2008, Florida passed a “Twins Law” giving
the parents of multiple birth children the choice of placing their multiples together or separate in the classroom.
Senator Gary Siplin (D-Orlando) and Representative Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg) sponsored this legislation in the
house and senate. I believe this is the first law since New Hampshire’s Legislature “twin bill”
effective May 16th, 2007 giving mothers a say in the placement of their children in New Hampshire’s schools.
Many states have petitions online on Twinslaw.com, I am happy to inform all of you that Wisconsin
is now one of them. I believe the site was activated in June and now has an active petiton online.
If you would like to sign the petition, just go to Twinslaw.com, then go to the Wisconsin section.
Our supporters: Twinslaw.com has been working with me while setting up their own board of directors
as well as posting our survey on their website the last three-four months. A special thanks to Kathy Dolan
for helping to promote our mutual efforts concerning placement in Wisconsin’s classrooms. NOMOTC has also been instrumental
in posting our survey on their website as well. With their continued support, WOMOTC will gain credibility
and publicity in our efforts.
Future plans for this project: As my time as 2nd Vice President comes
to a close, I would like to continue my support and time invested in this multiples classroom issue. At our Fall 2008 Board
Meeting, I plan to propose that a committee addressing this issue of multiples’ placement in Wisconsin’s classrooms.
There has been some interest expressed at the last two state get-togethers from members of WOMOTC in this regard.
I hope to formalize some of the wonderful documentation that has been given to me along with the surveys in the form
of testimonials to be used for public documents. Finalizing our survey and compiling these testimonials
would be the next steps to taking this to Madison to our state representatives.
Thank you to all of you
who have helped me so far in this project. I could not address this issue without you. I
appreciate your continued support. See you at Convention 2008!!!!!
Jana Malkan
2nd Vice President
Wisconsin Mothers of Twins Clubs Organization
262-408-2713
janapdc@hotmail.com
