The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education (ED), has announced the availability of grant applications for the Multi-Year Individualized Education Program (IEP) Demonstration Program (Multi-Year IEP Program) and the Paperwork Waiver Demonstration Program (Paperwork Waiver Program). Applications for both programs became available on October 12, 2007 and the deadline for transmittal of applications is February 11, 2008. Eligible applicants under both the Multi-Year IEP and Paperwork Waiver Programs are state educational agencies (SEAs) in any state, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each of the outlying areas.
Under the Multi-Year IEP Program, the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will select up to 15 states to participate in a single one-time only pilot program. State proposals approved under this program will create opportunities for participating local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve long-term planning for children with disabilities through the development and use of comprehensive multi-year IEPs. Additionally, the pilot program will focus on an identified national need to reduce the paperwork burden associated with IEPs while preserving students' civil rights and promoting academic achievement.
Also, under the Paperwork Waiver Program, the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will select up to 15 states to participate in a single, one-time only pilot program. State proposals approved under this program will create opportunities for participating states to reduce paperwork burdens and other administrative duties in order to increase time for instruction and other activities, while preserving students' civil rights and promoting improved educational and functional results for children with disabilities.
The Multi-Year IEP and Paperwork Waiver Programs are two demonstration programs authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. These demonstration programs are designed to address parents', special educators' and states' desire to reduce excessive and repetitious paperwork, administrative burden, and non-instructional teacher time and, at the same time, increase the resources and time available for classroom instruction and other activities focused on improving educational and functional results of children with disabilities.
For more information on these programs please see ED's announcement in the Federal Register or 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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