It’s never been the intention to take away special assistance from students who require it, the chancellor Jacob Oliva claimed.
Florida students with severe cognitive impairments should not be in danger of being denied services because of the recently approved state policy, the senior Florida Department of Education official states.
This has never been the goal of the rules, a senior chancellor Jacob Oliva stated.
However, many parents and teachers have expressed concern that the new policy approved in June by the State Board of Education in June, has a negative impact. They have mentioned that the new standards established by the board include the requirement of a mandatory IQ score, in addition to other things. This implies that schools should let students determine if they’re still qualified for alternative tests.
The State Board of Education does not have the power to interfere with the parent as well as the groups who build Individual Education Plans, referred to as IEPs for students who have special requirements, Oliva noted. The state’s aim was to comply with the Federal requirement that states the percentage of students taking the tests and standards should not surpass 1% of the total enrollment in the state.
Florida has exceeded that 1% threshold.
However, the rule wasn’t intended to cancel the services provided, Oliva stated. Instead, he described the rule as a blueprint to school districts which examine the needs of each child.
It is important to note that the IQ score is only one part of the portfolio, said the expert. It’s not a limitation.
Oliva stated that the department didn’t hear the majority of concerns raised during the poorly visited public workshops and discussions leading to the board’s decision. However, they started to appear when the Times posted an article about the new requirement on the weekend.
The department needs to better inform all parties involved in the rules’ requirements and exclusions, he noted.
Special education school district officials stated that the new rule has created confusion since it was approved. They received no instructions from state officials, they claimed, and were expected to start implementing the change right away.
Due to the increased concern and the need to have more guidance, a number of districts have taken the time to conduct comprehensive reviews of all students who could be affected. In the end, only a few students were exposed to significant modifications.
Special education school district officials stated that the new rule has created confusion since it was approved. They received no instructions from state officials, they claimed, and were expected to start implementing the change right away.
Due to the increased concern and the need for more in-depth guidance, a number of districts have taken the time to conduct comprehensive reviews of all students who could be affected. In the end, only a few students have experienced any significant modifications.
Oliva explained that districts are facing no punitive or penal damages if they go over the cap of 1% for students who use alternative tests. The aim is to ensure that the children get the appropriate services to reach the maximum results.
And while most residents are still questioning the intentions of the new rule, there is a special service that provides academic assistance to every student without any exception – StudyCrumb essay writing service. They have professional academic writers who can help students complete any assignment in time.
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