Thankfully, the federal government has announced that the commonwealth has resolved a major problem with its special education program. Now, Virginia must continue to build on that foundation and do what it takes to ensure that children with special needs receive the education they deserve.
Since 2019, the Virginia State Board of Education has been under scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Education for various problems with the way it provides services to children with special needs. While some of the shortcomings are primarily technical or procedural, the more serious problem boils down to the fact that the program did not meet the needs of individual children.
Worse, when parents ask questions or complain about the education their child is receiving, school officials appear more interested in resolving complaints than improving their child's individual program. It was frequently reported.
The purpose of public education is to prepare children for successful lives as adults. This should mean all children, including her 181,000 students in Virginia, who are found to be eligible for individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to their specific circumstances because of a variety of disabilities. .
Parents and students themselves are considered equal members of the IEP team. However, in recent years, when disagreements between parents and school officials have been resolved at public hearings, public hearing officers have almost always sided with the school.
Supporting and educating children with special needs is the right thing to do, and school systems work closely with families and listen to their input to provide the best education possible. should listen to.
Virginia has long struggled with public school programs for special needs children under leaders of both parties. The disruption caused by the recent pandemic has made matters worse.
It is also the law to provide free public education that is individually designed to assist students with a variety of disabilities, and has been required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act since 1975.
Faced with the possibility of withholding federal funding for education, Virginia successfully addressed its most serious shortcomings, including responding to complaints from parents about schools' compliance with the law.
Then the federal government discovered a new, less serious problem. These issues are mostly procedural, and the Commonwealth is proposing regulatory changes and other appropriate modifications.
But much remains to be done to ensure that Virginia's programs are on the right track over the long term and provide the best education possible for each child with special needs.
Changes are currently in progress. The General Assembly passed legislation that would create a system to oversee the development and use of IEPs for students with special needs and require additional training for educators in comprehensive special education instruction. Lawmakers also approved $4.4 million over the next two years for professional development and special education instruction for school staff, as well as funding to establish eight regional special education family support centers that Gov. Glenn Youngkin left in the budget. also approved. Fixed.
Under Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, the state Education Department commissioned two external evaluations of special education programs and used the results to develop a strategic plan for improvement.
One of the chronic challenges facing the school sector in special education is having enough professionals with the necessary specialized training. In 2020, an investigation by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee found that school divisions were overly reliant on teachers who were not adequately prepared for special education positions.
State authorities should prioritize training, recruiting, and retaining the professionals needed for the special education teaching profession.
Children with special needs can have a hard time getting the education they need to live their best lives. Their parents also face special challenges. It is essential that schools work closely with families to shape the best possible education for each child, a plan designed to meet that child's unique needs. Children with special needs deserve no less.
