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 The U.S. Department of Education announced the release of the final regulations for the early intervention program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These final regulations will help improve services and outcomes for America's infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
The final Part C regulations incorporate provisions in the 2004 amendments to Part C of the IDEA. Additionally, the final regulations provide States with flexibility in some areas, while ensuring State accountability to improve results and providing needed services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The regulations focus on measuring and improving outcomes for the approximately 350,000 children served by the Part C program with the goal of ensuring that such children are ready for preschool and kindergarten.
“As everyone who works in education understands, one of the most important things we can offer children is a high-quality early learning experience that prepares them for kindergarten,” said U. S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. “This is true for all children – but it’s especially important for infants and toddlers with disabilities to have access to high-quality early intervention services that prepare them to successfully transition to preschool and kindergarten. The Part C regulations will support the Education Department’s commitment to the goal of preparing more children with high needs with a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.”
Note that the final regulations have been delivered to the Office of the Federal Register but have not yet been scheduled for publication. The official version of this document is the document that will be published in the Federal Register in the next couple of weeks. The pre-publication Part C final regulations are posted at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/news.html.
In addition, the Part C portion of IDEA.ed.gov is now live, including information about registering for the November 16, 2011 full day training being held in conjunction with DEC at National Harbor in Maryland. Information about additional training sessions will be coming soon.
Office of Special Education Programs
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