Department of Education announces community-based meeting to educate the public about new IDEA regulations

The Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has announced a series of community-based public meetings to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the major concepts and principle changes in the new Part B regulations implementing the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Background and the regulations are available at the second and third links below. A report at the fourth link from NSBA’s Advocacy office includes a summary of key provisions of the regulations by COSA member Ron Wenkart, General Counsel for the Orange County, California Department of Education; a table comparing NSBA’s concerns with the regulations as initially proposed and ED’s responses; and recommendations to local boards of education. At the OSERS meetings, the public will be able to learn about and obtain resources and supports available from OSERS, including the dedicated website at the final link below.