Parents across NoVA -- with our largest proportion of the state's population -- need to be heard and accounted for by Virginia's education officials. Fairfax County, for example, has the largest population of students in special ed in Virginia within a particular county (about 25,000), which means there are potentially 50,000 parents in Fairfax who stand to lose out if these proposed regs go through "as is." However, this isn't a hearing for just Fairfax residents. Parents from all NoVA locations -- Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Prince William and Loudoun -- need to and voice their opposition to the proposed regs.
Please don't let the VA Board of Education think that we don't really care about our rights in the special ed process. If we didn't have the Virginia-specific guarantees for parental involvement that exist in current regulation, we would have even less say in our children's education than we do now. In other words, if these regs are approved, things could become much worse for those of you who are currently struggling with your school to get appropriate services for your child.
Department of Education's Revision Process Web site
WUSA 9 News video on the education regulations
The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) has submitted comments regarding VDOE’s proposed special education regulations.
Action alert from The Arc of Virginia on revisions to the Special Education Regulations.
Post comments about the special education regulations.
Use this letter to submit comments regarding the Special Education Regulations Revision Process (PDF, 36 KB)
Side by side comparison of the Regulations.
The Arc of Northern Virginia at Oakton High Schoolon June 2, 2008. If the changes to the education regulations are approved, it will become more difficult for parents to acquire appropriate services through their child's school. SLIDE SHOW
Without consent - Vienna Connection, June 6, 2008
Proposed state special education plan decried - Fairfax County Times, June 5, 2008
Proposed special-education changes spark parent protests - Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 28, 2008
Special-ed proposals upsetting, parents say - Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 26, 2008
Parents of Special-Ed Students Oppose Changing Consent Rule - Washington Post, April 22, 2008
Contact The Arc of Northern Virginia at info@thearcofnova.org or visit TheArcofNoVA.org