Public Comment on Draft Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is seeking public comment on the upcoming draft of regulations for the newly amended Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). First enacted three decades ago, IDEA provides federal dollars to assist states and local communities in providing educational opportunities for approximately six million students with varying degrees of disability. The new legislation, reauthorized in December 2004, builds on the reforms of No Child Left Behind, including parental choice and academic results for students, while addressing other issues that ensure a quality education for children with disabilities.

This summer, the Department will host a series of public hearings across the country where individuals will have the opportunity to make comments: June 6, San Antonio, Texas; June 17, Nashville, Tenn.; June 22, Sacramento, Calif.; June 24, Las Vegas, Nev.; June 27, New York, N.Y.; June 29, Chicago, Ill.; and July 12, Washington, D.C.

For specific locations for the public hearings as well as guidelines for the input process, visit the Department’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 Web page at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html. Or direct questions to OSERS at (202) 245-7468. If a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) is needed, call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339.

Suggestions may also be submitted electronically to mailto:comments@ed.gov. Please include “Comments on IDEA 2004” in the subject line of the message.

Source: The Achiever 4(7), May 1, 2005. The Achiever is the e-newsletter of No Child Left Behind. The Achiever is published semimonthly during the school year for parents and community leaders by the Office of Intergovernmental & Interagency Affairs, U.S. Department
of Education (ED). Margaret Spellings, Secretary.
http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/achiever/2005/050105.pdf

Page Updated: May 06, 2005