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AEP Online |
IDEA Hearings Present Key Opportunites for Supplemental PublishersIn November 2004, AEP helped supplemental publishers get a win on the government relations front. Congress approved a key provision in the IDEA Conference Committee report to permit teachers to use supplemental instructional materials to support the instruction of children served in programs authorized by the IDEA. The battle is not over yet, though. In order for supplemental publishers to be assured that their materials are recognized as eligible for money for early intervening services, the Conference Committee language must also be written into the Department of Education’s regulations for the IDEA. As part of the regulation-writing process, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the Dept. of Ed. is holding a series of public meetings. Individuals may testify at these hearings as to clarifications or guidelines they would like written into the regulations. The first public meeting was held Friday, January 28 in Newark, DE. Charlene Gaynor, AEP Executive Director, spoke on behalf of the supplemental publishing industry to get the Conference language into the regulations. In her testimony, she stated, “supplemental instructional materials designed specifically for students not succeeding within the regular curriculum are arguably the best and only available interventions for children needing extra help.” She cited the organization’s support from Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE), who was instrumental in getting supplemental materials approved for early intervention services. (Go to http://www.AEPweb/org/govrelations/Gaynortestimony.htm to read Gaynor’s full testimony.) Industry members can strengthen this cause by testifying at the other public hearings or by submitting comments in writing. Here are the locations for future hearings: *Thursday, February 3, 2005, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM and from
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio All written comments should be submitted to comments@ed.gov by February 28. For more details on upcoming hearings, go to http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/idea/public-meetings.html. AEP will post sample testimony, which you may use at the hearings. The more united and interested our industry appears regarding the regulations, the more likely that our position will be written into the IDEA guidelines. If you have questions about testifying, please contact Charlene Gaynor at 856-241-7772.
Questions, ideas, or in need of more information? Please contact Stacey Pusey at 856-241-7772. |
Check the AEP Government Relations section for the latest IDEA news.
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