Too many of the propsed changes seek to diminish required parental involvement.  This will be a disaster.

The only person sitting at the table who has the most experience with the disablitiy of the student involved is the parent.  The regular teacher is a general preactioner who may have heard of the disability, but their actual knowledge is general at best and at worst is a perfect example of the addage "A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing."  Even the Special Ed teacher, who has had more exposure to topics in special ed disabilities,  isn't expected to be an expert on every form of disability that can impact a child's learning.  All the other members of of the committee are there to provide their specific role's input, be it testing results or builing assets.

As the parent, I am the only one at the table who has in-depth knowledge of the child's past difficulties, and I will be the only one of the team who will be in the future meetings.  I am the only one who meets with my child's numerous doctors, therapists, and other health professionals.  I am the only person who has the motivation to keep going back to the research and see what new papers have been written, or what new research has been discovered.  I am the one who sits up all night on the internet trying to find out what ideas are out there to help my child. 

That's is why parents need to be mandated members of the committees and the decisions.  Ultimately, the parents are the only true experts at the table.

Parental Rights need to continue to be manadated in Virginia Regulates to ensure the best educational out come of the children involved.