Public comment is invited regarding the PA Department of Education’s (PDE) proposed grant application under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B) for FFY 2023.
The annual grant application provides, in part, assurances that the State’s policies and procedures in effect are consistent with the federal requirements to ensure that a free appropriate public education is made available to all children with a disability from age 3 to 21, including children who have been suspended or expelled from school.
PDE is also seeking public comment on its revisions to the Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation and Request for Consent form and corresponding Cyclical Monitoring for Continuous Improvement (CMCI) file review documents.
The form is being separated into two forms, the Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation form and the Request for Consent for a Reevaluation form, to ensure local educational agencies (LEAs) provide parents with prior written notice and obtain parent consent at proper times during the reevaluation process. PDE changed the corresponding CMCI file review documents to incorporate both forms so that during its monitoring, PDE can ensure LEAs are properly using both forms.
The public participation requirements relevant to Part B are set forth in the Part B regulations at 34 CFR § 300.165 and in section 441(b)(7) of GEPA at 20 U.S.C. § 1232d(b)(7). In accordance with these requirements, and prior to submitting a State plan and/or adopting any policies and procedures needed to comply with Part B, the State must ensure reasonable opportunities for participation by local agencies, representatives of the class of individuals affected by this program and other interested institutions, organizations, and individuals in the planning for and
operation of the IDEA-B program.
The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) at 34 CFR § 76.102 indicate that the IDEA-B grant application is considered a State plan.
Copies of the proposed 2023 IDEA-B grant application, Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation and Request for Consent for a Reevaluation forms, and the corresponding CMCI file review documents are available by viewing the documents on this page.
The current IDEA-B policies and procedures are available for viewing on this page. Alternative formats of the documents (e.g., Braille, large print, CD) can be made available to members of the public upon request. PDE will accept written public comment beginning March 18, 2023, until May 17, 2023.
Written Comments
The written comments should be directed to Jeanette Alexander, Special Education Adviser, Bureau of Special Education, PA Department of Education, 333 Market Street, 7 th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 or emailed to jeaalexand@pa.gov.
Public comment is also welcomed in alternative formats such as Braille, recorded comments, and telephone comments for individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person with a disability and wish to submit comments by telephone, please contact Aaron Ioos at 717.772.3500.
Additionally, PDE will provide individuals wishing to present verbal testimony an opportunity to do so. One written copy of verbal testimony prior to the time of presentation would be appreciated. Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes.
Verbal testimony must be provided virtually on:
March 29, 2023: (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
To schedule an opportunity to present verbal testimony, or if you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please call Aaron Ioos at 717.772.3500 or email aioos@pa.gov no later than March 23, 2023. You will be provided with a link in order to participate.
Following receipt of all written and verbal comments, PDE will consider all comments.
PDE will make any necessary modifications to the proposed 2023 IDEA-B grant application and the revised forms and corresponding CMCI file review documents before submission of its FFY 2023 IDEA-B grant application to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and implementation of the revised forms and corresponding CMCI file review documents.
