2189 Proposed grant application by the Department of Education under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for Federal fiscal year 2012

DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION

Proposed Grant Application by the Department of Education under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for Federal Fiscal Year 2012

[41 Pa.B. 6882]
[Saturday, December 24, 2011]

 Public comment is invited regarding the Department of Education's (Department) proposed grant application under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B). The annual grant application provides assurances that the Commonwealth's policies and procedures in effect are consistent with the Federal requirements, to ensure that a free appropriate public education is made available to all children with a disability from 3 to 21 years of age, including children who have been suspended or expelled from school. The current policies and procedures are available on the Department's web site at www.education.state.pa.us (click on the ''Programs'' tab, select ''Programs S-Z,'' select ''Special Education,'' click on ''Funding Sources,'' select the 2009 link under IDEA-B Policies and Procedures).

 The Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 300.165 (relating to public participation), requires that states conduct public hearings, ensure adequate notice of those hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment, including comment from individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, before adopting policies and procedures. The Commonwealth must publish the proposed IDEA-B application, and current policies and procedures related to IDEA-B, which can be found by accessing the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network's (PaTTAN) web site at www.pattan.net and clicking on the ''Legal'' tab at the top of the page to find the link to the ''Federal Law and Regulations.''

 Alternative formats of the documents (such as Braille, large print and cassette tape) will be made available upon request. Moreover, public comment is welcomed in alternative formats such as Braille, taped comments and telephone comments. Persons who wish to submit comments by telephone should contact Beth Runkle at [phone].

 Written and verbal comments must be received by April 1, 2012. The written comments should be directed to Jean B. Inskip or Dr. Ronald Wells, Bureau of Special Education, Department of Education, 333 Market Street, 7th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333.

 Additionally, the Department will provide individuals an opportunity to testify on the proposed IDEA-B application and the current policies and procedures. Testifiers are encouraged to bring a written copy of their testimony at the time of presentation. Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes.

 Dates, locations and times allotted for verbal testimony regarding the proposed grant application and current policies and procedures are as follows:

March 12, 2012	PaTTAN—Pittsburgh 3190 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA (4 p.m.—6 p.m.)
March 13, 2012	PaTTAN—Harrisburg 6340 Flank Drive Harrisburg, PA (4 p.m.—6 p.m.)
March 14, 2012	PaTTAN—King of Prussia 200 Anderson Road King of Prussia, PA (4 p.m.—6 p.m.)

 To schedule an opportunity to present verbal testimony, or individuals who require accommodation to participate in the proceedings, contact Beth Runkle at [phone] no later than February 17, 2012.

 Following receipt of all written and verbal comments, the Department must review and consider all public comments and make any necessary modifications to the application, or policies and procedures, as appropriate, before submission of the grant application to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.

RONALD J. TOMALIS, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-2189. Filed for public inspection December 23, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]