This post shares Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) “Concurrent Instruction Professional Development Guidebook”.
Documents, images, and videos noted within the guidebook are included as well.
FCPS Special Education Instruction Overview: Reopening Plans
This post features videos, video chats, and slide shows related to Fairfax County Public Schools elementary schools and middle and high schools special education instruction.
Return to School Virtual IEP Guidance Document
Whether you live in Fairfax County, Virginia, or in a different county or state, view this video.
It’s an opportunity to 1) learn what another school division is doing; 2) identify behind-the-scenes practices that are a) problematic and/or b) not occurring according to the training; and 3) to compare against your own division’s practices to a) bring ideas to them and/or b) ask about problem areas behind-the-scenes in your school division.
This presentation was developed by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
There are a few stand-out comments to consider—and to contact FCPS (or your school division) about if these items weren’t discussed with you.
Here’s one for now, and then the video and transcript follow:
“The first thing the case manager needs to do is to review the IEP and determine whether or not the goals, accommodations, and services can be delivered in a virtual format.”
If yes, did the case manager actually take an action outside of “review” and “determine”?
VDOE Sets Dangerous Precedent; Guidance Includes Get-Out-of-Providing-“Recovery Services” Loophole
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) set a dangerous precedent with the release of its document “VDOE Considerations for COVID Recovery Services for Students with Disabilities”.
The document includes a get-out-of-providing-compensatory education/”recovery services” loophole—and exhibits a questionable interpretation of laws related to students with disabilities.
FOIA Release: FCPS’ Jane Strong and VDOE’s Samantha Hollins; E-Mails, May 5 and May 13, 2020
These May 5 and May 13, 2020 e-mails were obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
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.
COVID 19 and FAPE
Are schools required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) during COVID-19?
Let’s start with the United States Departments of Education and IDEA.
§ 300.17 of IDEA states: “Free appropriate public education or FAPE means special education and related services that—(a) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge; (b) Meet the standards of the SEA, including the requirements of this part; (c) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved; and (d) Are provided in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP) that meets the requirements of §§300.320 through 300.324.”
Sections §§300.320 through 300.324 specifically address meeting the needs of the child, not the needs of the school.
COVID-19 did not change the needs of the child. It changed the location at which those needs are addressed.
Crisis Management Messaging: Gov. Cuomo’s, Gov. Northam’s, VDOE’s, and FCPS’ Staff on “Distance Learning”
“Sorry this got to you and James”.
—Scott Brabrand, FCPS Superintendent.
4.21.20, Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Superintendent Scott Brabrand emailed this apology to Donald R. Fairheart, Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff, Division of School Quality, Instruction, and Performance, VDOE. James is James Lane, Superintendent of the Virginia Department of Education.
His “sorry” followed an email from Alexander Cochran, Special Counsel to the Governor for Federal Affairs, Office of Governor Cuomo, to Stacey Brayboy, Director of the Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, warning about FCPS’ failures to launch.
FCPS: “We’re Not Using the IEP During Covid-19 . . . Students May Not Be Found Eligible”
“. . . we’re not using the IEP during COVID-19â€. —Andrew Guillen, manager due process and special education services
This is just one of the quotes from the 4.13.20 “TLP Procedural and Instructional Guidance Training†FCPS provided to staff — and just one of many that are cause for concern.
The presentation indicates: 1) FPCS did not have IEPs or TLPs in place when their online campus for distance learning launched April 14th. Instead, the day before, staff members were being advised on TLPs.