Special Education Action Page 8 of 44

Virginia Department of Education Emergency Guidance, Plans, and Training

This page will feature documents, videos, and other assets created by—and/or related to—Virginia Department of Education, in an effort to ensure they’re available for future learning—and to ensure we don’t forget best practices created and mistakes already made.

4.6.20 letter from Virginia's Big 8 Superintendents to Governor Northam

VDOE FOIA Response: Email from Superintendents of Virginia’s “Big 8” to VDOE Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane

FOIA response for letters from the superintendents of Virginia’s eight largest school districts to VDOE’s then-Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane.

OCR Case No 11-23-4044 Resolution Agreement

VDOE Guided School Divisions Statewide to Engage in Discrimination; Office for Civil Rights and VDOE Enter Into Resolution Agreement

Office for Civil Rights determined Virginia Department of Education discriminated against thousands of students who have disabilities during its Spring 2023 field testing.

U.S. Department of Education Finds Alaska, Arkansas, and New York in Noncompliance; Issues Differentiated Monitoring Support Findings

U.S. Dept of Education issued differentiated monitoring support reports for Alaska, Arkansas, and New York, finding all three states in noncompliance with Part B of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

VDOE Opens Systemic Complaint Investigation into FCPS; Complaint Alleges FCPS’ Academic Record Policies are in Noncompliance with State and Federal Regulations

VDOE Opens Systemic Complaint Investigation into FCPS; Complaint Alleges FCPS’ Academic Record Policies are in Noncompliance with State and Federal Regulations October 6, 2023, Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) opened a systemic complaint investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).…

FCPS COVID-19 Compensatory Education Update FOIA Response

FCPS FOIA Response: “COVID-19 Compensatory Education Update” and “COVID-19 Compensatory Education Service Delivery Models”

June 13, 2023, Michelle Boyd, FCPS’ former Assistant Superintendent, Department of Special Services, spoke at the monthly Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities meeting and stated Office for Civil Rights provided FCPS additional guidance. Boyd stated she would be releasing it to principals either that night or the next day, in addition to sending it to ACSD members.

A FOIA request was submitted to obtain the guidance document. After receiving Boyd’s June 14, 2023, guidance email to FCPS staff, another FOIA request was submitted, to obtain access to documents hyperlinked within Boyd’s email.

VDOE FOIA Response: Fairfax and Powhatan County Public Schools Core Special Education Assessment Data Collection

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) provided its collection data for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) in response to a June 20, 2023, FOIA request for the following:

“Please provide me the summary reports for VDOE’s Core Special Education Assessment results for Fairfax County Public Schools. An example is attached for reference. Please search the period of 2019-today.

8.28.23 notice letter from VDOE Lisa Coons to Powhatan County Public Schools

VDOE FOIA Response: VDOE’s 6.23.23 and 8.28.23 Warnings to Powhatan County Public Schools; Comply with IDEA or Face Sanctions

VDOE FOIA Response: VDOE’s 6.23.23 and 8.28.23 Warnings to Powhatan County Public Schools; Comply with IDEA or Face Sanctions Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) issued two letters to Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS), warning PCPS that it was facing sanctions,…

Author: Callie Oettinger (page 8)