| 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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I would like to express my flabbergastedness (yes I know its not a word-read on) over the proposed regulations. First let me echo Gov. Kaine's comments: “These special ed rules are complex and I think that there are some reason why School Boards, in particular, would like to have the procedure be a little bit easier on them, and I can understand some of those reasons, but the notion that we make it easier on the School Boards by making it easier to do things without parental involvement – Nah, you know, that’s just a nonstarter. So, again, as of now, unless there is some very persuasive reason to diminish the role of parents in these decisions, we’re going back to the drawing board on that reg.” All I can say there is ditto. This is about special needs kids getting what they deserve-not about making things easier on schools. If the schools are overburdened-hire more people
Also drawing from Gov Kaine, in his comments to the board he has a problem with the following points (as do I):
1. Elimination of parental consent prior to partial or complete termination of or changes to special education and related services. 2. Elimination of parental consent before providing special education services for transfer students. 3. Removal of parents from the Functional Behavioral Assessment team. (This is an outrage! A COMPREHENSIVE FBA can not be done with out a parent.) You can't expect a professional to know a kid inside and out from a one time classroom observation and interview and the teacher checklists--why wouldn't you want ot hear form the parents who ACTUALLY LIVE WITH the child and know him inside and out! The parents: you know the ones who LOVE and have a vested interest in the child for their lifetime-not like the profesionals and teachers and administrators who only have to dela with the kid for a very short time. 4. Addition of an option for the Local Education Agency to refuse a parent’s request for an Individualized Education Plan meeting if the LEA considers the request unreasonable. UNBELIEVABLE-the LEA could just deem all requests unreasonable if they don't have the time or manpower to deal with it. While we are at it, why don't we just let criminals in VA decide their own sentences---COME ON!!!! 5. Reduction in the number of regular progress reports given to parents on their child’s Individualized Education Plan. I will just call or show up at the school daily then! I also have a problem with the elimination of guidelines for child study meetings-parents don't just request these for fun. We have better things to do-come on! These need to be VERY timely and perents included! and the part about the VDOE controlling and training the due process hearing officers is outrageous nd is in direct violation of IDEA. I would like to be notified about the ongoing status of these regulations. Respectfully submitted, Nancy