Special Education Action is a 501(c)3 nonprofit publisher covering special education.
Its mission is to ensure parents, educators, and students have the information and tools necessary to fully understand, address, and safeguard the unique needs of all students who require special education.
Recent Articles
Virginia’s Noncompliance Continues; U.S. Dept. of Education States More Concerns Exist
For each issue cited, OSEP required an action to address the issue—and these actions had 90-day timelines associated with them.
Almost two-and-a-half years later, issues remain, the DMS report has yet to be closed out, and more concerns continue to rise.
Virginia Dept. of Education Announces Investigation of Fairfax County Public Schools, for Allegedly Engaging in Predetermination
The complaint on which the investigation is based alleges FCPS engaged in predetermination, which is a procedural violation of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and implementing Virginia regulations.
What Is Predetermination?
Privacy is a Right, NOT an Accommodation
“Teachers should not intentionally allow other students to know that XXXXXX has an IEP and receives special education services.”
The parent didn’t understand that privacy is a right, not an accommodation, simply because the privacy violations modeled by the teacher pointed in the opposite direction.
Who Attends IEP Meetings and What is an IEP Team?
The IEP case manager for the parent’s child replies with a time and a date, and states that the child’s regular education teacher will not be a part of the IEP team.
The school’s proposed IEP team does not comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
If the parent agrees to the meeting, he or she will be attending a meeting, but not an IEP meeting with an IEP team as defined by IDEA.
FCPS Releases Final Special Education Audit Report; Bleak Portrait of Broken System Emerges from Report
The report comes as no surprise to parents or educators. It confirms what parents have experienced for decades. Students’ needs are not being addressed pursuant to IDEA, Section 504, and state implementing regulations, teachers are undertrained and under supported, and leadership encourages teachers to be quiet rather than proactive in helping to ensure the needs of students are met.