Virginia publishes new special ed guide for military families

Virginia Department of Education has developed a new guide for military families with children in special education. The 16-page guide provides information and answers to questions that military families with school-aged children might have about special education programs in Virginia public schools. Topics include enrollment, special education services, parental consent in Virginia, Section 504, dispute resolution and procedural safeguards.

Virginia — home to some of the nation’s largest and most important military installations — educates more military children than almost any other state.

In nearly every community in Virginia, there are children with parents or guardians on active duty with the armed forces. For a number of years, VDOE has partnered with school liaison officers, military leaders, educators and non-profit organizations to provide resources to support the unique needs of military service members and their families during all stages of transition and deployment.

First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffewas quoted as saying in a news release, “This guide will help these families navigate the education system and find resources uniquely tailored to the needs of their children.”

Printed copies of the guide were sent to school division special education directors and to Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine school liaison officers and military family coordinators.

Copies will also be provided to members of the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The council, created by the 2009 General Assembly to represent Virginia in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, was formed to assist in easing the transition of children of military families into school as a result of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.

Guidance for Military Families with Students in Special Education is also available in an online version.

Additional information and resources are available in a Military Families section of the Virginia Department of Education website.