Thursday, November 04, 1999
State rules for special ed rile school chiefs
Superintendents prefer federal law
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ALEXANDRIA — The creation of new state special-education regulations is setting up what could become a contentious debate in the 2000 General Assembly session.
Northern Kentucky's 18 school superintendents do not want state regulations to exceed federal rules. The group voted Wednesday to send letters that make this point to the Education Department and the region's legislative caucus.
“Unless we stand up, we are going to get stuck with some overly prescriptive rules,” said Fred Bassett, Beechwood Schools superintendent.
The action came as the Kentucky Board of Education was presented with several plans for new regulations at a Wednesday work session.
Superintendents said recommendations presented to the board contradict what they were told by Education Commissioner Wilmer Cody and department officials — that state rules would not exceed federal law.
“The department rolled out recommendations before the hearing process,” said Roger Brady, Campbell County Schools superintendent. “I have no credibility for the whole bunch of them.”
Gene Wilhoit, deputy commissioner for learning support services, said the board wanted background information on special education issues.
“Document 1” presented to the board mirrors federal rules for educating students under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
“Document 2” includes additional procedures and concerns brought to the Education Department by parents, community members and special-education advocates.
“Document 3” contains recommendations from other concerned groups not represented in the second paper.
Mr. Wilhoit said the Education Department recommended Document 1 for adoption.
“This is not over by a long shot. This will go on for a number of months,” Mr. Wilhoit said.
Superintendents said the presenta tion of more recommendations makes them question the department's sincerity.
“The department of education pays lip service to listening to people out there,” Mr. Bassett said. “They typically slip something in at the last minute.”
Kentucky teachers and superintendents say rules now are too specific and too time-consuming. For example, when federal rules say schools must create short-term goals for students, Kentucky spells out exactly what those goals are and how they should be achieved.
Sticking to federal regulations would give local districts more con trol, the superintendents say. Schools would set limits on special-education class sizes, for example.
The state board of education will hold public hearings and more meetings about the special-education regulations in December and January before sending recommendations to the General Assembly.
State Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills, a member of the House Education Committee, said state special-education regulations should not go beyond federal rules.
“There is no question. We will ensure that happens,” he said.
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