eNotes
March 2, 2018In this Issue:
- Invitation to Comment: Postponing Equity in IDEA Regulations Source: U.S. Department of Education
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Report Series Source: National Council on Disability (NCD)
- Preschool to Third Grade: A Policymaker's Guide Source: Education Commission of the States (ECS)
- Tecnologia de Asistecia y el IEP Source: Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)
- A Fair Start: Ensuring all Students Are Ready to Learn Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
- County Service Sharing for Early Childhood Development Source: National Association of Counties
- The Role of State Boards in Improving Early Childhood Education Source: National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
1. Invitation to Comment: Postponing Equity in IDEA Regulations
In order for the U.S. Department of Education to review the Equity in IDEA regulations to ensure they effectively address significant disproportionality, the Department proposes to postpone the compliance date by two years, from July 1, 2018, to July 1, 2020. The Department also proposes to postpone the date for including children ages three through five in the analysis of significant disproportionality with respect to the identification of children as children with disabilities and as children with a particular impairment from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2022. The public is invited to comment. The Department will consider comments on the proposed delayed compliance dates only and will not consider comments on the text or substance of the final regulations. Comments must be received by May 14, 2018. To learn more, see the Federal Register Notice.
2. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Report Series
This IDEA Report Series issued by the NCD (February 2018) examines the implementation of the IDEA and focuses on five significant issues that remain unresolved: 1) The Underfunding of IDEA, 2) English Learners and Students from Low-income Families, 3) Federal Monitoring and Enforcement of IDEA Compliance, 4) ESSA and Students with Disabilities, and 5) The Segregation of Students with Disabilities. Each report provides the current state of policy and practice for each topic, a detailed review of progress or lack thereof, and recommendations for improvement.
3. Preschool to Third Grade: A Policymaker's Guide
According to the ECS, "research demonstrates that disparities in children's learning are evident as early as nine months of age." There is a disconnect between educational programs serving children up to age 5 and the K-12 education system, and this special report (February 2018) addresses the infrastructure needed to support an all-encompassing preschool to third grade initiative for policymakers. Topics covered are longitudinal data systems, professional development, strategies for engaging families, and leadership and equitable systems structured to support children's overall health and well-being. The report also covers the 12 primary elements that policymakers discuss the most.
4. Tecnologia de Asistecia y el IEP
This IEP parent tool regarding assistive technology considerations was originally posted in eNotes on September 27, 2017 and now has a Spanish version to share with your families.
The CTD website: www.ctdinstitute.org has a resource library with over 1,000 assistive technology related materials, a webinar center, and a learning center with interactive modules.
5. A Fair Start: Ensuring all Students Are Ready to Learn
A recent report from the NCSL (January 2018) explains that 18.4% of U.S. children in 2016 did not attend preschool, and the U.S. ranks 35th in developed countries for preschool enrollment (ages 3 to 5). In addition, the U.S. continues to fall significantly behind other countries in academic performance. "These statistics hold serious implications for our global competitiveness, economy and societal well-being." This report provides multiple strategies and state examples for policymakers to consider as they work to advance their preschool through third grade (P-3) systems. Some key elements for attaining highly effective P-3 systems include: improving equity, closing the opportunity and achievement gaps, and professionalizing our future workforce.
6. County Service Sharing for Early Childhood Development
Counties offer high-quality services to children and their families through collaborating with partners. This report from the National Association of Counties (December 2017) analyses the role of counties in early child development (ECD), as well as, obstacles and interactions between state and federal governments around ECD. The ECD programs outlined in this report are focused on breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty and helping young children from the start to become both academically and economically successful. Data tables, statistics, and case studies of the following counties are included: Dakota County (Minnesota), Idaho North Central Public Health District, Cuyahoga County (Ohio), Durham County (North Carolina) and Bedford County (Pennsylvania).
7. The Role of State Boards in Improving Early Childhood Education
In the January 2018 issue of NASBE's Education Leaders Report, the authority state boards have over improving early childhood education (ECE) is explored across states. Many boards are unaware of the level of authority they have over ECE standards, guidelines, and funding. By applying state boards' authority in collaboration with other state leaders, states can make headway to revising their current standards and developing more effective ECE policies to close the gaps that leave children unprepared once entering elementary school.