On July 3, 2023, the new Ohio operating budget for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years was signed. This budget bill made significant changes to how students qualify for the Autism Scholarship. Previously, students qualified for the Autism Scholarship only if they were placed in the autism disability category during their school district’s ETR process. However, there are now three ways a student can qualify for the Autism Scholarship: The school district in which the student is entitled to attend has identified the student as autistic, or the student has been diagnosed with “pervasive developmental ..read more

Manifestation Determination Review What is a Manifestation Determination Review? A Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) is a meeting to determine whether or not a student’s behavior that has resulted in a potential suspension or expulsion is due to their disability. It is a required procedure under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) if the student is expelled or suspended for more than 10 consecutive days. When is a school required to provide an MDR? A school is required to provide an MDR when a disciplinary action results in a change of placement for the student. Chang ..read more

Manifestation Determination Review What is a Manifestation Determination Review? A Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) is a meeting to determine whether or not a student’s behavior that has resulted in a potential suspension or expulsion is due to their disability. It is a required procedure under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) if the student is expelled or suspended for more than 10 consecutive days. When is a school required to provide an MDR? A school is required to provide an MDR when a disciplinary action results in a change of placement for the student. Chang ..read more

 Suspension, Expulsion, and Emergency Removal - what’s the difference? School discipline and student safety are top priorities for any school district. Students may be removed from school for a variety of reasons. The different removal types can impact student’s education in a variety of ways, particularly for special education students. If you are asked to pick your student up from school for behavioral problems, it is important that the school clarifies in writing if the student is being suspended, expelled, or subject to an emergency removal. School removals can trigger procedural safe ..read more

What is the Least Restrictive Environment? Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the legal requirement that children with disabilities be educated in the same environment as children without disabilities whenever possible. Children with disabilities should only be removed from a regular educational environment if the nature of their disability or services makes it so their needs cannot be adequately addressed in the general education environment. What is the Continuum of Placement? The Continuum of Placement is a continuum of alternative placements available to meet unique special educational ..read more

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio schools will face new requirements when it comes to screening and educating students with dyslexia. Ohio Revised Code 3323.251, along with Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook, mandate new screening procedures and best practices to ensure students with dyslexia are identified and appropriately educated at a young age. This law was initially scheduled to begin in 2022-2023, but due to recently-signed HB 583, the starting date was pushed back to the 2023-2024 school year. 2023-2024 Requirements Beginning fall 2023, all school districts must develop a structured ..read more

What is Extended School Year? Extended School Year (ESY) is educational services for students with disabilities that take place outside of the standard 180-day school year. If ESY is necessary for the student to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), then these services must be provided in accordance with the student’s IEP and at no cost to the student. ESY is most commonly provided for a period over summer break, but may happen during any school break, such as winter or spring break. ESY is not a daycare service or summer school, it is specialized instruction for students wit ..read more

What is the Least Restrictive Environment? Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the legal requirement that children with disabilities be educated in the same environment as children without disabilities whenever possible. Children with disabilities should only be removed from a regular educational environment if the nature of their disability or services makes it so their needs cannot be adequately addressed in the general education environment. What is the Continuum of Placement? The Continuum of Placement is a continuum of alternative placements available to meet unique special educational ..read more

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio schools will face new requirements when it comes to screening and educating students with dyslexia. Ohio Revised Code 3323.251, along with Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook, mandate new screening procedures and best practices to ensure students with dyslexia are identified and appropriately educated at a young age. This law was initially scheduled to begin in 2022-2023, but due to recently-signed HB 583, the starting date was pushed back to the 2023-2024 school year. 2023-2024 Requirements Beginning fall 2023, all school districts must develop a structured ..read more

Getting registered to vote in the upcoming election is the best way to make sure your voice is heard! The deadline to register for this year’s election is Monday, October 5th, so be sure to follow these easy steps to prepare. To register means filling out a form (either online or on paper) for the Board of Elections telling them that you want to vote and giving them information everyone must give to vote. How do I register to Vote? • Register online or update your address by clicking here. • You can fill out a form and mail it or take it to the Board of Elections • You can get a form at state ..read more