Part B Updates: Special Education
Discipline in an IEP
The Discipline in an IEP page was updated to add a link to a Q and A guidance document from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), as well as general guidelines information. Examples for in-school and out-of-school suspension were added in response to feedback from the field on what is being termed “informal removals.”
Health Services
The Health Services: Special Factor Considerations webpage was updated in regard to School Nurse responsibilities in completing the Medical Consent Delegation Form. In addition, The Special Health Services Resources on this page was updated to include a link to the School Nurse Toolkit.
Components of an IEP
The Components of an IEP page was updated to include more clarification around items to be documented in the PLAAFP, including strengths, interests, and preferences of the learner, documenting parent concerns, and additional information on transition components. In addition, changes were made in resources for Extended School Year Services, and guidelines were updated to clarify that ESY is an annual determination with no parameters on when a team can determine these services as necessary for a student to meet FAPE. The ESYS Considerations Flowchart has also been removed and teams are encouraged to use the updated ESYS General Guidance instead, to ensure that full consideration of all the components are part of the ESYS decision
Part C Updates: Early ACCESS
The Transition from Early ACCESS page was updated to provide consistency and clarity after receiving feedback from the field on the Transition Planning process. Details were added in regard to the timeline of the process, required participants at meetings, and alternative methods for meeting participation. Additional resources are now provided to support this process, including the Transition Flowchart and Transition Timeline.
Resources: Special Education and Early Intervention
Updates were made to the Resources pages, as well as other Resource documents and links in i3. These changes were in regard to Medicaid, Secondary Transition, Alternate Assessment Guidelines, Health as a Special Factor, Early ACCESS Codes and Definitions, and Eligibility Rules for participation in extracurricular activities in regard to high school students with IEPs. This included updating expired links, replacing/updating documents that were out-of-date, and adding resources that may be helpful to educators and families.