The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education (ED), has clarified a number of issues of importance to ASHA members who work in school settings. This will further aid members in the interpretation of the 2006 IDEA Part B final regulations that implement changes in the newly reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004). This is in response to ASHA's November 2, 2006 letter to the U.S. Department of Education seeking clarification on the following topics:
- eligibility for speech-language services when the student is not failing a course or grade, and reaffirm a letter issued in May 1980 that clarified when a speech or language impairment "adversely affects educational performance"
- how to handle missed sessions due to the child's absence from school, cancellation for a class or school activity such as a field trip or an assembly, or absence of the SLP due to illness or family emergencies
- the continuum of service delivery options to be considered for a student
The full text of ASHA's November 2, 2006 letter to OSEP stating ASHA members' concerns and OSEP's March 8, 2007 letter of guidance in response are available on ASHA's IDEA Action Center Web site. ASHA will also be developing issue briefs on missed sessions and the continuum of service delivery which will also be posted on this Web site. If you have questions or would like further information about the IDEA final regulations, please contact Catherine Clarke at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4159. For practice-related IDEA issues, please contact Kathleen Whitmire by e-mail at kwhitmire@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4137.
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