In Ohio, requirements for provision of special education and related services under IDEA Part B for school districts, county boards of developmental disabilities, and other educational agencies are outlined in the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Ohio Administrative Code Rules 3301-51-01 to 09, 11 and 21- last revised July 2014). Ohio’s Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities require traditional public schools and chartered community schools to adopt written policies and procedures regarding the education of children with disabilities (3301-51-02 (A)). Districts may also adopt the Special Education Model Policies and Procedures, developed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), OR develop their own and submit to ODEW for approval.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children, is required to ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Further, Section 3323.02 O.R.C. requires the special education program of each school district to be operated in accordance with the procedures, standards and guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education to receive state or federal funds for the district’s special education program.
The Office for Exceptional Children, along with the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness, developed a Comprehensive Monitoring System for Continuous Improvement and Implementation of IDEA. The intent of the IDEA Monitoring Process is to maximize the use of resources that will result in better academic, social and post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities and to meet regulatory requirements.
The outcome of the IDEA Monitoring Process should provide valuable information for school districts' planning process to improve results for children with disabilities, including implementation of special education processes and services/supports for students with disabilities.