Notice of Public Hearings and Request for Public Comment

Proposed Early Childhood Transition Policy

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), in accordance with Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), approved Dec. 3, 2004 (118 Stat. 2647; 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) and regulations promulgated thereunder at 34 C.F.R. Parts 300 and 303, gives notice of the opportunity for public comment and public hearings regarding the proposed Early Childhood Transition Policy. The proposed policy establishes state-level processes and clarifies requirements to ensure the smooth and effective transition of children with disabilities from early intervention services under IDEA Part C to school-based special education and related services under IDEA Part B. The proposed policy is available for review below.

The proposed policy will be posted for a 30-day public comment period commencing Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 and closing Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 at 5 p.m. Two public hearings will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 from 12-2 p.m. and on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. Individuals interested in attending or testifying at the public hearings should register here:

• Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 (12-2 p.m.): Register to testify or attend | Access the public hearing
• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 (5-7 p.m.): Register to testify or attend | Access the public hearing

Individuals representing themselves and presenting testimony will be limited to five minutes; individuals representing an organization will be limited to a total presentation time of seven minutes at each public hearing. Individuals who do not register with OSSE prior to the hearing may testify on a first-come first-served basis as time permits within the timeframes announced for each hearing. Individuals may request an accommodation for a physical disability or language access in order to participate in the public hearing by contacting Christie Weaver-Harris no later than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. The hearings will be recorded.

Individuals or entities wishing to comment on the proposed policy should submit their comments in writing via email to [email protected]. All comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

The proposed policy is available for review here.

For more information or questions regarding the proposed policy or for accommodations, please contact:

Christie Weaver-Harris
Policy Manager, Office of Special Education
Division of Systems and Supports, K-12
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
[email protected]
(202) 741-0470