Fairfax County Public Schools FOIA Responses & Other Stuff
Although many of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) records shared here were obtained via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses, some of the records shared were provided to Special Education Action via readers and/or FCPS's own carelessness. For example, FCPS provided the "Hot Topics" record in response to a parent's FERPA request, but neglected to redact the record before sharing it.
FOIA Release: FCPS’ Jane Strong and VDOE’s Samantha Hollins; E-Mails, May 5 and May 13, 2020
They are between Jane Strong, director of Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Office of Special Education Procedural Support, and Samantha Hollins, assistant superintendent of the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Department of Special Education and Student Services.
Jane explores using waivers to graduate students who weren’t expected to graduate.
FOIA Release: FCPS “TLP Procedural and Instructional Guidance Training” (4.13.20)
4.13.20: Video Slideshow accompanying “TLP Procedural and Instructional Guidance Training” presented by Dawn Schaefer, coordinator for due process and eligibility; Andrew Guillen, manager due process and special education services; Kellie Cochran, coordinator for special ed related services.
Obtained via FOIA request.
Transcript provided by Special Education Action.
“Big 8” Letter Requests Special Education Waivers; Children Put Behind 8 Ball
Instead of requesting more supports to ensure provision of FAPE for students and to help teachers, the letter states, “Our goal is to reduce the administrative burden on special education staff . . . ”
“Hot Topics”
When I opened the file, I noticed tracked changes on the document. I clicked them and everything Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) incorrectly redacted popped up, to include names of students, their lawyers, monies paid, and so on.
The document including concerning information, to include FCPS acknowledging some of the very issues that I and other parents have complained about for year, such as failure to identify special education students, failure to implement programs related to Dyslexia with fidelity, and privacy violations.