Northern Virginia District PTA - Speical Education Hearing

PUBLIC HEARINGS: SPECIAL EDUCATION DRAFT REGULATIONS

The Board of Education will hold public hearings regarding the proposed changes to Virginia’s special education regulations. All hearings begin at 6:30 p.m. and will adjourn by 9:30 p.m. Registration for those wishing to speak begins at 6 p.m. on the night of the hearing. Individuals seeking to speak will be allotted three (3) minutes each unless the number of speakers requires the Chair to reallocate the time available to ensure that as many individuals as possible may speak. Speakers are urged to provide written copies of their comments. Interpreters for the deaf will be provided. (Read more for upcoming dates)

Public hearing will be held June 2 at Oakton HS in our area.

Giving Testimony at the Hearings (pdf)

Who Can Testify At Public Hearings of the proposed changes to the Draft Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia?

Anyone can testify at these hearings. The trick is finding out when the hearings are and the procedures for signing up to testify.

Hearings serve a variety of very important purposes:

-Hearings help to educate the Board of Education on special education issues. -Hearings are a great way to generate media interest in an issue. -Hearings are important places to network with others interested in your issue. -At hearings, you can learn what others with different views on the subject are saying.

Remember that if no one comes to testify on the issue, the Board of Education can interpret that as support for their proposed revision to the Regulations: "No one commented against/for the Draft Regulations." Also, if there is strong turn-out in support of the Draft Regulations, but not many people testifying about the need for changes, the current Draft is likely to be approved.

How Do You Find Out About the Public Hearings?

Nine hearings will be held. You can also contact the Virginia Department of Education for more information about dates/locations of the hearings: Melissa C. P. Smith, Coordinator of Administrative Services, Phone: (804) 371-0524.

Why Should I Go to the Hearing?

It may take some time and energy to get to the hearing and testify, but it is extremely important and can truly make a difference. We encourage you to come to the hearings and testify. If you cannot testify, attending the hearings in support of those who do testify is still very helpful.

Where can I find the Draft Regulations:

The proposed regulations can be found online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/dueproc/proposed_regs.pdf

Current regulations can be found online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Sped/varegs.pdf