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Policy Update

LD News: News You Can Use

Policy Update
Briefs from the world of LD policy

NCLD releases FAQ on new IDEA provisions regarding learning disabilities
The newly amended Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act contains several significant changes to its predecessor, IDEA 97, including new provisions regarding how schools can determine whether a child has a specific learning disability and may, therefore, need special education services. The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has compiled this FAQ regarding the IDEA 04 provisions that relate to learning disabilities.
For more information:
http://www.ld.org/advocacy/IDEA04_FAQ.cfm

Public input sought on federal regulations for IDEA 04
On December 29, 2004, the Federal Register published a notice of request for comments and recommendations on regulatory issues under the IDEA as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Comments must be submitted by February 28, 2005 and can be submitted in writing or via email.

The notice also indicated that the Department of Education intends to hold public hearings in Atlanta, GA, Newark, DE, Boston, MA, Columbus, OH, San Diego, CA, Laramie, WY, and Washington, D.C. Exact dates and locations have not yet been announced.
For more information:
http://www.regulations.gov/freddocs/04-28503.htm

No Child Left Behind Technical Assistance Centers
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the formation of 10 Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) to advise the Department on the technical assistance needs of educators in 10 geographic regions across the nation in advance of the establishment of 20 new comprehensive technical assistance centers that will help states, school districts, and school to implement the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act. These RACs are now conducting an educational needs assessment of their regions and, in March 2005, will submit a report to the Secretary identifying the challenges each region faces in improving student achievement.
For more information:
http://www.rac-ed.org/

Facilitated I.E.P. Meetings: An Emerging Practice
To help special education planning teams reach agreements, several State Education Agencies (SEAs) provide the option of facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The use of externally facilitated IEP meetings is growing nationally. When relationships between parents and schools are strained, facilitated meetings may be beneficial. This new guide offers an overview of the process, answered frequently asked questions and provides additional resources.
For more information:
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/facilitatediep.cfm

GAO Report urges better enforcement of IDEA
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), "Special Education: Improved Timeliness And Better Use Of Enforcement Actions Could Strengthen Education's Monitoring System" provides findings on how the Department of Education monitors state compliance with IDEA for children age 3-21, the extent and nature of noncompliance found, and how Education has ensured that noncompliance is resolved once identified.
For more information:
http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d04879high.pdf

Pennsylvania settles dispute over student placement practices
The PA Department of Education has settled a federal class-action lawsuit that advocates for the disabled say they hope will result in more disabled students being placed in regular classrooms with the support to help them succeed.
For more information:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04360/432427.stm

USA Today reports on contrast between state tests and NAEP
The basic reading skills of public school students look good as measured by state achievement tests " more than half of elementary school students in 34 states passed state tests in 2002 and 2003. But compare those scores with a nationally representative test and they paint a different picture.
For more information:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-12-15-reading-usat_x.htm

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