Secretary's "Tool Kit" Provides Guidance on Assessing Students with Disabilities
Earlier this year, Secretary Margaret Spellings announced a new policy designed to help states better ensure the achievement of students with disabilities. That policy allows states to develop modified achievement standards and use assessments aligned with those modified standards for a group of students with disabilities who can make progress toward, but may not reach, grade-level achievement standards in the same time frame as other students. The Department has provided details on this policy through a notice of proposed rulemaking, which is being published in the Federal Register this week. In advance of the official notice in the Federal Register, an unofficial version of the notice is accessible on the Department's Web site at www.ed.gov/admins/lead/speced/toolkit. At the same Web address are guidance, grant information and technical assistance resources to help in assessing students with disabilities.
(December 14, 2005)

Spellings Hails 30th Anniversary of IDEA Special Education Law
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings released a statement on today's 30th anniversary of former President Gerald Ford signing on Nov. 29, 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
(November 29, 2005)

30th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — An Overview
As part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), OSERS would like to share the following overview on the history and accomplishments of the IDEA.

Download the IDEA 30th Anniversary Overview:
MS Word (43K) | PDF (18K)
(November 29, 2005)

Recognizing 30th Anniversary of IDEA, OSERS Assistant Secretary John Hager and Deputy Assistant Secretary Troy Justesen Appear in Department Television Program.
To download a clip from the program, go to www.fc-tv.com/aaa/doe_promo_nov.wmv. A transcript of the clip is available at Excerpt Transcript.
(November 23, 2005)

OSEP Acting Director Justesen Announces A Series of Topic Briefs Regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).
In response to public inquiry about the recently reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), and prior to issuing final regulations, OSERS is taking steps to assist in the explanation of the statutory language. To be as responsive as possible to families, educators and administrators, OSERS has developed and posted to its Web site a series of topic briefs regarding several high-interest areas of IDEA 2004. These topic briefs include a summary of all relevant statutory language for 19 topics ranging from Highly Qualified Teachers to Discipline, with citations from the law and cross-references, when applicable, to related briefs.
(October 12, 2005)

Letter to Parent Center Directors Regarding Special Education Services for Children Affected by the Gulf Hurricanes.
OSEP Acting Director Troy R. Justesen urges Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers to be proactive in meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
(October 11, 2005)

Department Releases Guidance for 1 Percent of Students with Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
On August 9th, the Department of Education released new non-regulatory guidance on alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards for the 1 percent of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. This guidance is now posted at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/saa.html. It is among the items to be included in a "Tool Kit" of information and resources that we will be providing states to help them improve instruction, curricula and assessments for students with disabilities.

Download additional information in a letter from OSERS Assistant Secretary John Hager:
MS Word (84K) | PDF (17K)
(August 11, 2005)

Federal Partnership Aims to Improve Transportation for People with Disabilities
At a Washington, D.C. observance of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, OSERS Assistant Secretary John H. Hager highlighted ongoing work on United We Ride, a national initiative to simplify access, eliminate duplication of federal rules and regulations, and increase cost efficiencies using existing resources. The goal is to make the most of the transit and human service dollar by combining the resources of the public and private sector. For more information on United We Ride, go to www.unitedweride.gov.
(July 29, 2005)

NIDRR Releases Proposed Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2005 Through 2009.
People with disabilities, their families and advocates, and researchers and service providers will have an opportunity to review and comment on a draft long-range plan prepared by NIDRR. In its plan, NIDRR emphasizes five "domains" as areas for expanded research efforts in the next five years in support of people with disabilities: employment; participation and community living; health and function; technology for access and function; and disability demographics.

Download the proposed Long Range Plan:
HTML (241K) | PDF (866K)
(July 28, 2005)

Dear Colleague Letter From Assistant Secretary Hager on RSA Office Consolidation.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the Department of Education is implementing a reorganization and restructuring of RSA. OSERS Assistant Secretary John H. Hager shares some information about the reorganization, the plan for improving accountability, monitoring and technical assistance, and the focus on customer service.
(July 21, 2005)

Monitoring Redesign Initiative (MRI)
OSERS assistant secretary John H. Hager and Acting RSA Commissioner Ed Anthony are pleased to announce improvements to RSA's monitoring system of state VR agencies. For information, go to the new MRI Home page at www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/rehab/monitoring-redesign.
(May 26, 2005)

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