Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
chapter
Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children With Disabilities in Virginia [8 VAC 20 ‑ 80]
Action Revisions to comply with the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004” and its federal implementing regulations.
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 6/30/2008
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5/27/08  10:28 pm
Commenter: Paula Labbe, Parent

Opposition to proposed changes
 
     As the parent of a special education student, I oppose changing the current requirements for parental consent to any change in their children’s IEPs. Current Virginia regulations require parental consent to any change in their children’s IEPs before the change can happen. The draft Virginia regulations no longer require parental consent before children’s IEP services are partially or completely terminated. These changes will have a negative impact on the special education programs in Virginia.
 
I am my daughter’s main advocate. No one knows her needs better than I. As her mother, I am the only one who can speak for the whole child. I can speak to her prior experiences, growth, and sturggles. My daughter is the only reason I attend IEP meetings. I am not influenced by administrative concerns, district policies, are test scores. I am the constant in a sea of revolving administrators, teachers, and specialists. I am the only ones in those meetings who speaks to her doctors and outside resources which we relay onto the rest of the team.
 

     If my parental rights are reduced then the quality of the services my daughter receives will be negatively effected. “Due Process” is not an adequate venue to address IEP concerns. I have always considered “due process” a costly and time consuming process that would be my last resort. Parents should be PART OF THE PROCESS and not regulated to “DUE PROCESS”.   Parental Rights need to continue to be mandated in Virginia to ensure the best educational out come for all children.

CommentID: 1521