SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 66
September 27, 1996 |
TO: | Division Superintendents |
FROM:
|
Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
SUBJECT:
|
Report of Children and Youth With Disabilities Receiving
Special Education on December 1, 1996 |
Under the provisions of Public Law 94-142 and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), local education agencies are required to make an unduplicated count of students with disabilities receiving a free, appropriate public education in accordance with individualized education programs. The provisions of the Education Amendments of 1978 require that the count be taken on December 1, or the closest day to December 1. Because these data form the basis for state and federal funding, information submitted is subject to audit by the United States Department of Education, Virginia Department of Education, and Auditor of Public Accounts. Therefore, documentation of age and disability for students reported must be maintained at the local level. Data submitted to the Department of Education must reflect the status of each student as of December 1, 1996. A properly developed individualized education program (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP) must be on file for each disabled student reported to the Virginia Department of Education through use of this software. Individual student records received by the department are processed via use of student identification numbers. While particular student identification numbering conventions are left to local discretion, the Department of Education does require that when two or more school divisions report the same student, they must agree upon and use a common identification number. All other required data elements must also be identical. Inaccurate reporting of student SUPTS. MEMO NO. 66 September 27, 1996 Page 2 data may result in loss of federal and state funding, or overpayments to localities. All school divisions are required to use the Special Education Student Information System (K6) software to generate the student data file onto a diskette for the December 1, 1996 report. Submission of the diskette with the attached certification statement to the Department of Education, constitutes certification that all data are true and correct. Diskette and certification statements should be mailed to Mr. Paul J. Raskopf, Office of Student and Special Education Services, Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120 and should be received by the Department no later than Thursday, December 5, 1996. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Mr. Raskopf at 804/225-2080. RTL/crv Attachment: This memo and its attachment will be sent to the superintendent's office Supts. Memo. No. 66 September 27, 1996 Attachment Please sign and return with diskette to: Mr. Paul J. Raskopf Department of Education Office of Special Education and Student Services P.O. Box 2120 Richmond, VA 23218-2120. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT I certify that the information in the individual student data files contained in the attached diskette accurately reflects the December 1, 1996 status of students with disabilities receiving services in accordance with a properly developed Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). School Division:_______________________________School Code: _______ Superintendent's Signature:__________________________________Date:___________