November 1, 2002

ADMINISTRATIVE

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Report of Children With Disabilities Receiving Special Education on December 1, 2002

Under the provisions of Part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended, local education agencies are required to make an unduplicated count of students with disabilities receiving special education on December 1 or the closest school day to December 1. Because December 1 falls on a Sunday this year, data submitted to the Department of Education must reflect the status of students with disabilities as of December 2, 2002.

Because these data form the basis for state funding and federal reporting, information submitted is subject to audit by the United States Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Auditor of Public Accounts. Therefore, documentation of age and disability for students reported must be maintained at the local level.

All school divisions are required to submit student data for the December 1, 2002,child count using the SpedSys Special Education Student Information System.

Individual student records received by the department are processed by using student identification numbers. While the student identification numbering systems are left to local discretion, the Department of Education requires that when two or more school divisions report the same student they must agree to use a common identification number. All other required data elements must be identical when two or more school divisions report the same student. Inaccurate reporting of student data may result in loss of funding or overpayments to localities.

A properly developed individualized education program (IEP) or a services plan for students unilaterally placed by parents in private schools but who are receiving some special education, must be implemented for each disabled student reported to the Virginia Department of Education.

Data should be submitted to the Department of Education no later than Friday, December 6, 2002. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Mr. Paul J. Raskopf at (804) 225-2080 or at (spedsys@mail.vak12ed.edu).

JLD/pjr