[Fwd: [APRAX] <OT> ALERT!!! PENNSYLVANIA PROPOSES TO GUTSPECIALEDUCATIONREGULATIONS]]

[Guest guest]

> I have not validated this information, but leave it up to you all to check

> its authenticity. If it is true, which I have no reason to doubt, then we

> all need to move on this aggressively.

>

>

> > The Pennsylvania State Board of Education is proposing dramatic and

> > damaging changes to state special education regulations in the guise

> > of making them more " consistent " with federal law. Basically, most

> > current state regulations that go beyond the federal minimums would be

> > dismantled.

> >

> > The state has been moving in virtual secrecy, using all the tricks of

> > bureaucratic obfuscation to conceal the true impact of the changes.

> > Thanks to the PA Education Law Center, the PA School Reform Network,

> > and the PA Protection and Advocacy Children's Project, who have

> > interpreted the draft regulations, here is a summary of what the

> > changes would do:

> >

> > -- Eliminate class size and maximum age range requirements, and drop

> > mandatory caseload limits for teachers

> > -- Eliminate facility regulations that prohibit building new

> > segregated facilities with state money, and prohibit special education

> > classes from being too small, outside of the flow of the school, or

> > moved often

> > -- Eliminate the requirement that services in an IEP actually be

> > provided within 10 days

> > -- Delete the regulations that contain standards completely, including

> > budget criteria, and specific standards for screening and evaluation

> > -- Eliminate the definition of an " appropriate " program (now defined

> > as one that yields meaningful progress)

> > -- Eliminate many due process rights, including the right to a

> > prehearing conference and an administrative appeal. Appeals must now

> > go straight to court and require hiring a lawyer

> > -- Completely eliminate parents' rights to see a draft of their

> > child's evaluation report, and eliminate the right to see the

> > evaluation report at least 10 days before an IEP meeting

> > -- Allow restraints to be used on students

> > -- Allow special education students to be suspended for multiple 10

> > day periods in a school year without due process

> > -- Eliminate the requirement that behaviors affecting learning also be

> > addressed in the IEP

> > -- Eliminate the requirement that behavior programs be based on

> > positive (not negative) approaches

> > -- Tighten admission criteria for early intervention programs so an

> > estimated 20% of children now qualified would no longer qualify;

> > loosen early intervention termination standards; extend re-evaluation

> > cycles to every two years and IEP cycles to once a year, and eliminate

> > the option to keep kindergarten age children in early intervention for

> > another year

> >

> > What can you do to stop this? Here are some positive steps:

> >

> > -- Write the State Board of Education with your comments BEFORE

> > OCTOBER 15:

> >

> > Dr. Garland

> > Executive Director, State Board of Education

> > 333 Market St.

> > burg, PA 17126-0333

> >

> > -- You may also email your comments to 00statbd@... but a

> > written letter will get more attention.

> > -- Write or call your own State Senator or State House of

> > Representatives member.

> > -- Write or call the legislative Education Committee chairs Sen.

> > Rhoades (jrhoades@...) and Rep. Jess Stairs

> > (jstairs@...).

> > -- Pass this message on to other parents and concerned Pennsylvanians.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

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