Authority: Special Education Instructional Services: §§ 22.1-213 through 22.1-221, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-319 through 22.1-332, Code of Virginia; P.L. 108-446, Federal Code.
Special Education Administration and Assistance Services: §§ 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, Code of Virginia; P.L. 108-446, Federal Code.
Special Education Compliance and Monitoring Services: §§ 22.1-213 through 22.1-221, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-319 through 22.1-332, Code of Virginia; P.L. 108-446, Federal Code.
Student Assistance and Guidance Services: Title 22.1, Chapters 1, 13, 14, 16; §§ 22.1-16.2, 22.1-17.1, 22.1-17.2, 22.1-199.4, 22.1-206, 22.1-207.1, 22.1-208.01, 22.1-209.2, Code of Virginia; P.L. 107-110 and P.L. 108-446, Federal Code.
A. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Children's Services, shall provide training to local staff serving on Family Assessment and Planning Teams and Community Policy and Management Teams. Training shall include, but need not be limited to, the federal and state requirements pertaining to the provision of the special education services funded under § 2.2-5211, Code of Virginia. The training shall also include written guidance concerning which services remain the financial responsibility of the local school divisions. In addition, the Department of Education shall provide ongoing local oversight of its federal and state requirements related to the provision of services funded under § 2.2-5211, Code of Virginia.
B. The Board of Education shall consider the caseload standards for speech-language pathologists as part of its review of the Standards of Quality, pursuant to § 22.1-18.01, Code of Virginia.
C. The Board of Education shall consider the inclusion of instructional positions needed for blind and visually impaired students enrolled in public schools and shall consider developing a caseload requirement for these instructional positions as part of its review of the Standards of Quality, pursuant to § 22.1-18.01, Code of Virginia.
D. Out of this appropriation, $197,416 the first year and $197,416 the second year from the general fund is provided to the Department of Education to provide training, technical assistance, and on-site coaching to public school teachers and administrators on implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports program with the goal of improving school climate and reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom. Such training and other assistance may be provided as part of the Department's ongoing efforts to assist schools with implementation of a tiered system of supports that addresses both academic and behavioral needs.
E. The Department shall convene an interagency workgroup to assess the barriers to serving students with disabilities in their local public schools. The workgroup shall assess existing policies and funding formulas including school divisions' program requirements, localities' composite indices, local Children's Services Act (CSA) match rate allocations, local CSA rate setting practices, the impact of caps on support positions, policies for transitioning students back to the public school, and funding for local educational programming based on models which are collaborative and create savings for both local and state government while providing youth an educational option within their communities. Membership shall include a balance of local and state representatives, all impacted state agencies, Local Education Agency (LEA) representatives, local CSA representatives, local government officials, local special education administrators, stakeholder organizations, parent representatives, the Arc of Virginia, the Coalition for Students with Disabilities, and members of the Virginia General Assembly. The workgroup shall make recommendations to the Virginia Commission on Youth prior to the 2017 General Assembly Session.