Special Education Action's 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
It’s the Law: Why Does VDOE Allow Vague Language in IEPs?
Thankfully, it isn’t the parent’s job to create IEPs that are written with clear, concise language that ensures provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). That’s the school division’s job.
And yet . . . Vague and broad language persists and the Virginia Department of Education has allowed this.
Nation’s “Report Card” Released, Scores Declined Nationwide
The national average score declines in mathematics for fourth- and eighth-graders were the largest ever recorded in that subject.
In math, there were no improvements in any state or large urban district since the assessment was last given in 2019.
Children Continue to Struggle; Virginia Department of Education’s Samantha Hollins Continues to Allow Noncompliance Statewide
Reading and math scores have declined, according to the “Nation’s Report Card”. which was released today by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
This comes as no surprise. In Virginia, Samantha Hollins knows Virginia is in noncompliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but allows the noncompliance to continue.
According to NAEP, in Virginia, the following percentages of 4th graders are performing at or above “proficient” level in math and reading:
Math:38%
Reading: 32%
These numbers drop for 8th graders.
Arlington Public Schools Engaged in Same Activity as Fairfax County; VDOE Opened Systemic Complaint Against FCPS
Virginia Dept. of Education Announces Systemic Investigation of Fairfax County Public Schools, for Allegedly Failing to Implement IEP’s
The complaint on which the investigation is based alleges FCPS failed to implement Individualized Education Programs throughout the county, which is a violation of Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and implementing Virginia regulations.
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.