Your comments are needed NOW!!!! At the May 18^th Meeting of the State Advisory Council (the body currently working on the revision of Indiana's Special education rules) had extensive discussions about proposed changes to the rules governing Early Childhood special education (3-5 preschool) The new proposed language would allow for greater flexibility in providing early childhood services. The language being considered is as follows:

The length and frequency of the instructional day for early childhood students with disabilities shall be based on the developmental and educational needs as determined by the student's case conference committee. A public agency may not unilaterally limit the length and frequency of the instructional day based on categories of disability, age of students, or administrative convenience.

The council voted to accept this change.

The current language regarding caseload (number of students per class and ratio of adult:child) and instructional time (12.5 hours) would be eliminated.

If parents disagreed with the amount of time offered they would have to seek due process.  It may also be possible for a parent to file a compliant (illustrating that a IEP can not be meet because of high case loads)

It is CRITICAL that families share their thoughts on this issue via email to tsapc@....in.us

If you currently have a child served with an IEP in Preschool.

If you have in the past had a child served by an IEP in Preschool.

If you will have a child in the futures that will be served by an IEP in Preschool.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the importance of schools having rules that support effectively and appropriately meeting the needs of kids ages 3-5

Possible talking points:

            Case Load (the need to have guidance about the adult to child ratio)

            School day (the need to have guidance to ensure that schools have)

The difficulty families of kids 3-5 would have going to due process of filing complaints when they are attempting to build partnerships with schools.

Share why this is important for YOU and YOUR CHILD

The Council has received minimal public comment.  Receiving a LARGE number of comments on this issue would likely be VERY impact full.

Please join FV Indiana in ensuring that the council receives over 100 emails on this subject in the next 10 days