The Part B Final Regulations implementing the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) were published in the Federal Register on Aug. 14, 2006, and can be accessed on the Department’s Web site at www.ed.gov/IDEA .

To provide the public with an overview of the regulations, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will be hosting a series of community-based public meetings. These public meetings will serve two major purposes. First, the meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the major concepts and principle changes in the new regulations. Second, the meetings will serve as a mechanism for the public to learn about and obtain some of the many resources and supports available from OSERS to assist in the implementation of these regulations.
A list of the meetings sites, and information on the locations and times appears below.

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006 in Tampa, Fla.

Gibbons Alumni Center
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL 33620 5:30pm-9:00pm

Reception: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Meeting: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.


All sites and dates listed below, all beginning at 5:30pm:

Charlotte, NC, UNC Charlotte, Tuesday,September 26, 2006
Tampa, FL, USF, Gibbons Alumni Center, Weds. September 27, 2006
Philadelphia, PA, The Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006
Seattle, WA, University of Washington Kane Hall Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006
Minneapolis, MN, PACER Center, Wednesday Oct. 25, 2006
Dallas, TX, Region 10 Education Service Center, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006
Denver, CO, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006
Sacramento, Calif., Capitol East End Complex, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006

Each participant will receive a copy of the regulations on a CD ROM, as well as a copy of the Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students With Disabilities, also on CD ROM. In addition, other material will be available in print form, including copies of the three model forms required under the reauthorization: Individualized Education Program (IEP), Notice of Procedural Safeguards, and Prior Written Notice.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend these meetings: parents, teachers, family members, community service representatives, local school administrators, related service providers, advocates, technical assistance administrators and others with an interest in education. These meetings are regional in scope and individuals from adjacent states are encouraged to attend.

There is no advanced registration for these public meetings, nor any cost. Registration will take place at the door. Interpreters will be available for individuals with hearing impairments. For further information, please contact Tanya Kosinski at or .