Posted January 24, 2008
Provision of Special Education Services, Study required by Sec. 15 of Act 82
The report has been requested to address one aspect of concern about the rising cost of education and its impact on the property tax. Several factors have contributed to schools bearing costs for support services for needy students that in the past would have either not have been provided or at some level would have been provided for and paid for in the state’s Agency of Human Services (AHS) budget. These support services are generally considered to be primarily within the area of special education but to a lesser degree may be found in regular education programs as well. Download a pdf of the 33 page document to read the entire report.


Posted January 23, 2008
H.449 An Act Relating to Foster Care Services and Supports Sec. 4. Study on Transitional Services for Youth
This document is intended to serve as the Secretary of Administration’s response to the requirements set forth in H.449 An Act Relating to Foster Care Services and Supports, Sec. 4. Study on Transitional Services for Youth enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont in May, 2007. The 2006 and 2007 legislative session addressed a variety of issues specifically related to youth aging out of the foster care system, youth with disabilities, and health care coverage for all youth. H.449, Section 4 looks specifically at youth transitioning to adulthood who experience developmental disabilities or a severe emotional disturbance. Download a pdf of the 14 page document to read the entire report.


Posted January 22, 2008
Report to the Legislature to Address Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Act 35 directed the Vermont Agency of Human Services to work collaboratively with the Vermont Department of Education to
develop a plan for providing services across the lifespan to individuals
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. Seventy-five stakeholders formed a Steering Committee and five subcommittees
to work on the plan. In addition to the work of the committees, five (5) community forums were held to gather public input on the direction the state should take in developing a system of care for people with ASD and their families. One hundred and ninety-five (195) people attended the forums, fifty-seven (57) individuals provided written comments, and five hundred and three (503) surveys were completed. Information from these sources was synthesized into this report. Download a pdf of the report to read the entire report. (Please note that this is a large file, 3mb,
to download.)


Posted October 27, 2006
The Vermont Department of Education's new special education due process system went into effect on August 24, 2006, with the adoption of the revised Vermont Special Education rules. The changes
to due process were made in response to comments from school and parent representatives wanting to improve the current system in Vermont. Check out the full letter from the Department of Education.


Posted June 5, 2006
The Results of Our Survey on Vermont Special Education
Regulations - The Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC) in conjunction with the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) sought comments from parents about proposed changes to Vermont's Special Education Regulations. See the results of the survey now!


Fact Sheets on IDEA Changes - The Office of Special Education Programs prepared fact sheets on some of the changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This information does not reflect final federal regulations or changes to Vermont's Special Education Rules.

Each title below will download a PDF of the fact sheet.

Alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act
Changes in Initial Evaluations and Reevaluations
Children Enrolled by Their Parents in Private Schools
Discipline
Disproportionality and Overidentification
Early Intervening Services
Highly Qualified Teachers
I. State Funding
II. Local Funding
I. Procedural Safeguards Regarding Surrogates, Notice and Consent
II. Procedural Safeguards Redarding Mediation and Resolution Sessions
III. Procedural Safeguards Regarding Due Process Hearings
Individualized Education program (IEP)
Individualized Education program (IEP) Team Meetings
   and Changes to the IEP
Part C Option: Age 3 to Kindergarten Age


Proposed IDEA Regulations Signed - (quoted from an e-mail sent June 10, 2005 by Troy Justeson, Assistant Secretary, Special Education at the U.S. Department of Education.)

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Secretary Spellings have signed the proposed regulations to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). This follows a concerted effort by many in OSERS (Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services) to review the old and new law, receive public comments, and draft the proposed regulations. Many thanks to all who contributed to this effort.

So that members of the public will have as much time as possible to review the proposed regulations, the Department has posted an unofficial copy on its website at www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html. Using that link, members of the public can also view the dates and locations for a series of public meetings where comments on the proposed regulations will be received by OSERS. Information on submitting written comments on the proposed regulations can also be found using that link.

Having feedback on the draft regulations from parents, teachers, students, state officials and other interested persons is critical. We want the final regulations to reflect the dialogue we've been having with the public since the President signed the law last December.

Summary of Changes to the IDEA 2004 - On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed into law a bill reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Most changes to the law will go into effect on July 1, 2005.