The Public Comment Period ended on June 30, 2008.
What Happens Next?
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will revise the proposed regulations in response to the public comments they received. They plan to publish their revised proposed regulations at the Virginia Board of Education meeting on September 25, 2008.
Depending on how the draft regulations are revised and worded, we may need to call on you for help again. Here is a summary of what will happen this summer, and some good advice from Miss Manners.
In July, advocates who are knowledgeable about the Virginia regulations need to meet with VDOE staff, articulate our concerns, and provide guidance about language in the regulations.
Advocates should plan to attend the Board of Education meeting on July 17 to reinforce our concerns and our strength. Advocates can also use the summer months to continue building our base of parents who understand the issues and who are willing to take action when the time comes this fall.
Between now and September, parents need to get to know one another and strengthen relationships. If we spend this time getting stronger, when the next draft of the regulations is released in September, we will be in a position to work together and do what needs to be done.
Parents and advocates need to be prepared to act quickly after the Board meeting on September 25, when the Board will act on the next draft of the regulations.
Advice from Miss Manners
Some people find it hard to be patient through this long process. It is essential that parents and advocates are viewed as rational, reasonable and right. If we allow our emotions to get in the way of our advocacy efforts, if we are viewed as demanding, unrealistic, offensive, unreasonable, or unpredictable, we will lose our credibility and momentum.
We continue to add updated information to the Wrightslaw Virginia Special Education Regulations page at https://www.wrightslaw.com/virginia/regs.index.htm
Please check this page for updates.
Alert! Protect Educational Rights in Virginia
Your help is urgently needed.
On April 28, 2008, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) published the proposed Special Education Regulations (8VAC20-80/81). Many of these regulations will have a negative impact on children with disabilities and their families.
In this Alert, we describe several regulations and why they are harmful. We ask you to submit comments about these regulations.
You may read the full text of this Alert at:
https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/08/al.va.regs.danger.htm
The Alert describes how you can submit a comment (it’s easy!) and includes the text of several comments we submitted.
Thank you! Pam & Pete