The Ohio Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities ("Operating Standards"), requires traditional public schools and chartered community schools to adopt written policies and procedures regarding the education of children with disabilities (For example, see 3301-51-02(A) of the Operating Standards). In addition, the Operating Standards allows districts to choose which method they will use to determine the existence of a specific learning disability and requires districts to develop written procedures for the implementation of their chosen method (3301-51-06(H)(3)(f) of the Operating Standards).

The Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) has developed a document to assist schools/districts in meeting these requirements, the Model Special Education Policies and Procedures ("Model Policies"). A school/district may choose to adopt these policies in their entirety. Alternatively, a school/district may choose to adopt its own Special Education Policies and Procedures as long as they are in accordance with Ohio's Operating Standards and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). If a school/district chooses to adopt their own Special Education Policies and Procedures, the school/district may choose to incorporate portions of the Model Policies.

If a district/school uses a method based on identifying a severe discrepancy or a method based on response to intervention, or a combination of these methods, the district/school can choose to satisfy the requirement of a written policy and procedure by adopting the OEC Model Policies and indicating that the district/school follows the procedures set forth in Procedures and Guidance for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children With Disabilities at §6.7, Specific Learning Disabilities. If a school/district uses an alternative research-based procedure, the district/school must submit the district's/school's written policies and procedures regarding the implementation of that method to OEC for approval. Districts/schools may also choose to develop individual written policies and procedures regarding the manner in which the district/school determines the existence of a specific learning disability, regardless of the method used.

Districts and schools must notify the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children (ODE/OEC) no later than November 1, 2009 regarding their chosen method for complying with the requirement to have adopted written policies and procedures for the education of children with disabilities.

Click on form. This form must be completed by districts/schools and returned to OEC. In the top portion, check the appropriate statement that indicates the district's/school's chosen method for complying with the requirement to have adopted written policies and procedures for the education of children with disabilities. In the bottom portion, choose the statement that reflects the manner that the district/school has chosen to satisfy the requirement that it have a written policy and procedure regarding the determination of a specific learning disability.

Questions should be directed to Ann Guinan at ann.guinan@ode.state.oh.us