Parents, educators and others made a tremendous impact when NH revised our special education regulations, the NH Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities last year. As they prepare to make some additional changes (which are needed because of changes to State and Federal special education laws), the NH Department of Education is seeking input from parents, school personnel, and community members.
The Parent/School/Community Forums on the changes needed to the NH Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities (special education regulations) will be held on:
Monday, August 24, 2009
9:30 – 11:30 am and 3:30 – 5:30 pm
NH Department of Education, Room 15
101 Pleasant Street
Concord NH
For more information, or if you need special accommodations (Interpreter), please call Barbara Raymond, at the NH Department of Education at (603) 271-3791
Some Questions to Consider:
« How should the NH Rules define “child with a developmental delay” and “acquired brain injury”?
« Should we use the term, “intellectual disability” instead of “mental retardation”?
« Should we include the additional language from RSA 186-C in the purpose of the NH Rules?
186-C:1 Policy and Purpose. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state that:
I. All children in New Hampshire be provided with equal educational opportunities. It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.
II. The rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected.
III. Local school districts, the department of education, and other public agencies or approved programs provide for the education of all children with disabilities.
« Should all of the duties of the NH Department of Education that are in RSA 186-C be in the NH Rules?
Some of these duties include: develop and promote evidence-based practices supporting the education of children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment; and show as part of the annual report to the commissioner of the department and the state board of Education, the annual progress and compliance with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, with respect to children with disabilities.
« Changes to the Federal special education law give parents the right to revoke consent, at any time, for their child to continue receiving special education and related services. After providing the parent with written prior notice, the school district may not continue providing the child with special education and related services, and cannot use mediation or a due process hearing to disagree with the parent’s decision.
Should the current requirement in the NH Rules that gives the school district the responsibility to file for a due process hearing in order to assure a child receives a free appropriate public education if the parent refuses consent for any of the following activities be changed or maintained?
§ Annual renewal of the IEP and placement of a child with a disability;
§ Determining or changing the disability classification;
§ Changing the nature or extent of the special education or special education and related services;
§ Conducting a reevaluation;
Should NH allow parents to be accompanied and advised by non-attorneys at due process hearings?
The NH Department of Education will provide additional information about potential changes to the NH Rules at the forum. See you there!
Directions to the NH Department of Education in Concord (from the NH DOE website):
From Southern New Hampshire (via I-93 North): Take I-93 North to exit 14 (Loudon Road) and turn left at the end of the ramp. At the fourth light, turn left onto Main Street . At the first light, turn right onto Pleasant Street . Go straight through three sets of lights and turn left at the HUGH J GALLEN STATE OFFICE PARK. From there, turn left and follow the signs to the Department of Education.
From Northern New Hampshire (via I-93 South): Take I-93 South to exit 14 (Loudon Road) and turn right at the end of the ramp. At the second light, turn left onto Main Street . At the first light, turn right onto Pleasant Street . Go straight through three sets of lights and turn left at the HUGH J GALLEN STATE OFFICE PARK. From there, turn left and follow the signs to the Department of Education.
From Western New Hampshire (via I-89 South): Take I-89 South to exit 2 (Clinton Street) and turn right at the end of the ramp. At the first traffic light, turn left onto Fruit Street. At traffic lights at the five way intersection, turn right onto Pleasant Street. Turn right again at the HUGH J GALLEN, STATE OFFICE PARK. From there, turn left and follow the signs to the Department of Education.
From Eastern New Hampshire (via Route 4): Take Route 4 West to I-393 West. Go to the end and turn left onto Main Street. At the fourth traffic light, turn right onto Pleasant Street. Go straight through three sets of lights and turn left at the HUGH J GALLEN, STATE OFFICE PARK From there, turn left and follow the signs to the Department of Education.
