DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Individuals with Disabilities Education Act--Part B; Application for Federal Grant [38 Pa.B. 980]
[Saturday, February 23, 2008]To receive a grant under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Department of Education (Department) must submit an Annual State Application to the United States Department of Education (USDE). The Annual State Application is an assurance by the Department that by June 30, 2008, policies and procedures will be adopted to ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act--Part B (IDEA-B) (as amended by Pub. L. No. 108-446 and Pub. L. No. 110-161). Moreover, the Department assures that throughout the period of the grant (July 1, 2008 to June 31, 2009), the Commonwealth will operate consistent with all requirements of IDEA-2004 and applicable regulations.
The IDEA-B funds, received under 34 CFR Subpart B (relating to State Eligibility), will be used to render services and programs to children with disabilities who are eligible for services under IDEA-B as well as training and technical assistance given to professional staff who render services to children with disabilities.
The Department and the State Board of Education has completed amending special education regulations in 22 Pa. Code Chapter 14 (relating to special education services and programs) and 22 Pa. Code Chapter 711 (relating to charter school services and programs for children with disabilities) are pending final adoption through the regulatory review process. Following final adoption and publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Spring 2008, the Department will give notice seeking public comment to Department's State Plan under the IDEA-B.
This notice is seeking public input to the Department's Annual State Application. Copies of the draft Annual State Application are available by calling Nancy Zeigler at (717) 783-6134. Alternative formats of the documents (for example, Braille, large print or cassette tape) are available upon request. Public comment is welcomed in alternative formats such as Braille, taped comments and telephone comments for the disabled. Individuals who are disabled and wish to submit comments by telephone should call Nancy Zeigler at (717) 783-6134.
In addition, opportunity for public testimony is being provided by the Department. Testimony may be scheduled by calling Nancy Zeigler (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday) no later than April 18, 2008. The public hearings will be conduct as follows:
April 22, 2008 PaTTAN Pittsburgh
3190 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(12--6 p.m.)April 24, 2008 PaTTAN King of Prussia
200 Anderson Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(12--6 p.m.)April 25, 2008 PaTTAN Harrisburg
6340 Flank Drive
Suite 600
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(12--6 p.m.)With regard to the oral testimony, one written copy of the testimony should be provided.
Written comments will be received until May 1, 2008. The written comments should be directed to Nancy Zeigler, Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, 7th Floor, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333.
Following receipt of all comments, the Department will consider all public comments and make any necessary modifications before final submission of the Annual State Application to the Secretary of the USDE.
GERALD L. ZAHORCHAK, D. Ed.,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-320. Filed for public inspection February 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
