Talking Points on IDEA NPRM for CEASD Members

The U.S. Department of Education is holding a series of open meetings on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). Members of the public are invited to attend and present their views. Typically speakers have between three and five minutes to present. Sign language interpreters will be available at all meetings. CEASD urges its members to attend the meetings and present your views and has prepared the following talking points.

Introduction

Thank the Department for the opportunity to comment. Introduce yourself and tell about your school (and deaf children in general).

Tell about your leadership of CEASD. Tell about CEASD - Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf. This is the official description - please paraphrase:

Founded in 1868, CEASD is committed to the promotion of excellence within a continuum of equitable educational opportunities for all children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. CEASD advocates on behalf of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and supports the efficient and effective management of schools, programs, program service centers, and governmental units offering educational and related programs and services. CEASD's membership consists of over 100 member schools and programs serving over 12,000 deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.

Mention that CEASD will be submitting written comments.

Specific Comments on the NPRM

Least Restrictive Environment. Proposed ss300.114 supports funding for the appropriate placement for the child. Department comments on this section endorse the Congressional view that funding should not "provide an incentive or disincentive for placement, but that the LRE principle is intended to ensure that a child with a disability is served in a setting where the child can be educated successfully in the least restrictive setting." We believe that the understanding of LRE as the place where the child can be educated successfully is the correct interpretation.

Placements. Proposed ss300.116 relates to parent participation in placement decisions. CEASD supports parent choice and appreciates the comment that this new provision "would clarify that parents can choose to send their child to a charter school, a magnet school, or other specialized school without causing a violation of the Least Restrictive Environment mandate." Support for the continuum of alternative placements will help ensure that all children are placed in the educational setting most likely to meet their needs.

Alternate Routes to Certification. Proposed ss300.18 (b)(2) would specify that a teacher participating in an alternate route to certification program would be considered fully certified under certain circumstances. CEASD supports alternative routes to certification as a way of addressing teacher shortages and recruiting members of underrepresented groups. A caveat is that there needs to be a clear definition for "high-quality" in regard to professional development and the types of certifications and credentials needed for someone to be considered an appropriate supervisor. For example, a generic special educator should not be viewed as an appropriate supervisor to bring a candidate through the alternate certification route as a teacher of the deaf. A person well-trained and experienced in deaf education should be required to supervise those seeking this kind of certification.

The meetings will be held as follows.

Sacramento, CA
John F. Kennedy High School
6715 Gloria Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.

Las Vegas, NV
Donald C. Moyer Student Union
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Friday, June 24, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.

New York, NY
W Hotel of New York
Forest 1 Room
541 Lexington Avenue (Between 49th and 50th Street)
New York, NY 10022
Monday, June 27, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.

Chicago, IL
The Palmer House Hilton
Red Lacquer Room
17 E. Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.

San Antonio, TX
Education Service Center, Region 20
1314 Hines Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78208
Thursday, July 7, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.

Washington, DC
Gallaudet University
Kellogg Conference Center
800 Florida Ave, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
1:00-4:00p.m., 5:00-7:00p.m.