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The U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a notice in the December 29, 2004 Federal Register soliciting comments and recommendations on regulatory issues under 34 CFR Parts 300 and 303 to implement programs under the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that was signed into law by President Bush on December 3, 2004. This provides an opportunity to consider improvements in the regulations implementing IDEA which would strengthen the federal effort to ensure the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in order to ensure that every child with a disability has access to a free, appropriate education of high quality that is designed to meet the high standards reflected in the No Child Left Behind Act. Feedback may be sent via mail or e-mail and should be received on or before February 28 to be assured consideration.
To receive public feedback for developing regulations, OSERS will also hold a series of informal regional meetings during the first few months of 2005 in Newark (DE), Columbus (OH), Boston (MA), San Diego (CA), Atlanta (GA), Laramie (WY), and Washington (DC). The specific dates and locations for these meetings are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register in the near future. ASHA will relay this information to members and state associations when it is available. For more information on the IDEA regulatory process, please contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4159.
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