As a special education teacher with 24 years experience in Virginia  in 5 school districts, I have worked hard building positive relationships with my parents.  I've stressed to both my parents and other parents through my work with various advocacy groups (The Arc & Autism Support Groups), that our children are served best when parents and schools work together.  This means having extensive communication throughout the school year & especially during the IEP & eligibility process. Taking away parental permission for the decrease or termination of services, yet requiring it for an increase or initiation of services makes absolutely no sense to me.  Also if related services can be terminated at an IEP meeting..(and don't require parental permission)...is VDOE next going to say that once the initial IEP is signed by parents, the school systems no longer will require parental permission on annual IEPs.  I ask that VDOE DO NOT take away parental permission for the reduction or termination of services.  The paperwork in special education will always be there, but the positive relationships that teachers have built with parents will not.  Please keep the lines of communication open.  Thank you.