Special Education

AOE To Hold Public Hearing on Vermont’s Policy and Procedures: Significant Disproportionality in Special Education

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Administrators, Educators, General Public
The Agency of Education (AOE) is hosting a Public Hearing on the Policy and Procedures: Significant Disproportionality in Special Education. The AOE is proposing a policy and a description of methodology concerning the requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with respect to significant disproportionality. Under 34 C.F.R. 300.646 and 300.647, states must annually collect and examine data to see if significant disproportionality is occurring within the state and at the Local Education Agency (LEA) level. The IDEA regulations also expand the ways that districts must use funds to provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) to students to address the identified disproportionality and to alleviate barriers to students’ access to curriculum and appropriate supports. The public has the opportunity to participate in two virtual Public Hearing sessions – April 20, 2020 from 11-12 PM or 4:30-5:30 PM. Please see Public Posting Significant Disproportionality Hearing for call in details. Further, comments should be submitted to AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov with the Subject header – Significant Disproportionality. In addition to the public hearing, the AOE will be accepting public comments for 30 days from April 8, 2020 through May 8, 2020. Contact: Jacqui Kelleher at jacqui.kelleher@vermont.gov.

Policy and Procedures Significant Disproportionality in Special Education Memorandum

​Public Posting Significant Disproportionality Hearing

AOE Seeking Public Comment on Vermont’s FFY2020 IDEA Part B Application (Updated Deadline)

Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Administrators, Educators, General Public
The Agency of Education is seeking comments from the public on the draft FFY20 IDEA Part B Application. The grant application provides assurances that Vermont has policies and procedures in place as required by Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Further, Part B Interactive Spreadsheet provides an overview of how federal funds will be allocated for State Education Agency leadership, oversight, and support, in addition to the total award sought for the State’s Local Education Agencies. The draft grant application is available for you to review. Comments should be submitted to AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov with the Subject header – IDEA Part B Public Comment. As required, the Agency of Education will be accepting public comments for 30 days from March 13, 2020 through April 13, 2020. The deadline date has been extended to April 20, 2020. Contact: Jacqui Kelleher at jacqui.kelleher@vermont.gov.

Vermont FFY2020 IDEA Part B Application Draft

Part B Interactive Spreadsheet FFY2020 Vermont AOE

Special Education Team

Special Education Technical Assistance is available 24 hours/day through the general email and voicemail system. These methods of communication are monitored regularly during business hours and a response is generally provided within 1 business day: AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov or (802) 828-1256.

State Director of Special Education: Jacqueline Kelleher, MA, Ph.D.

Special Ed Monitoring Program Manager: Tonya Rutkowski

Special Ed Monitoring Specialist: Simona Kragh

Special Education Programs Manager: Chris Kane

Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator: Ana Kolbach

Inclusive Systems Coordinator: Betty Roy

Post-Secondary Transition Coordinator: John Spinney

Coordinator for Behavioral Supports: Tracy Harris

IDEA Data Administration Director: Cassidy Canzani

Special Education Data Specialist: Brandon Dall

Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator: Amy Murphy

Early Childhood Special Ed/IDEA Part B 619 Coordinator: Katie McCarthy

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities can be found on Families Resources webpage.