State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education (Page 231 of 277) in pdf

State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 231

Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit

Part B State Performance Plan

Monitoring Priority: Effective General Supervision Part B

Indicator 15: Identification and Correction of Noncompliance

General supervision system (including monitoring, complaints, hearings, etc.) identifies and corrects

noncompliance as soon as possible but in no case later than one year from identification. (20 U.S.C. 1416

(a)(3)(B))

Measurement

Percent of noncompliance corrected within one year of identification:

a. # of findings of noncompliance.

b. # of corrections completed as soon as possible but in no case later than one year from identification.

Percent = [(b) divided by (a)] times 100.

States are required to use the “Indicator 15 Worksheet” to report data for this indicator (see Attachment 1).

Overview of Issue/Description of System or Process

Components of the State’s General Supervision System

The Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit is composed of the following sections:

• Dispute Resolution Section (DRS)

• Monitoring/Program Effectiveness (M/PE)

• Non-Traditional Programs

• State Program Development

• Associate Director’s Office

• Grants/Data Management (G/DM)

• Arkansas IDEA Data & Research Office at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Dispute Resolution: The Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit (ADE-SEU) includes a

Dispute Resolution Section (DRS). The Dispute Resolution Section (DRS) of the ADE-SEU is a component

of the State’s general supervision system. The DRS is responsible for managing the due process hearing

system and the complaint investigation system, both of which are required by the federal Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended. Implementation of both systems is accomplished under

Arkansas state rule, Special Education and Related Services: Procedural Requirements and Program

Standards (Arkansas Department of Education, 2008).

Coordination of due process hearings, complaint investigations, and pre-filing mediation services is the duty

of the DRS with the legal mandate of ensuring effective general supervision. This goal is accomplished by

resolving disputes in accordance with the federal and state regulations governing due process hearings and

complaint investigations. The Administrator of the DRS works closely with the Administrator and staff of

the Monitoring/Program Effectiveness (M/PE) Section to ensure prompt resolution of complaints filed with

the DRS.

In addition to monitoring and enforcing compliance with corrective actions contained in hearing decisions

or investigation reports, the DRS also sends monitors to make on-site inspections of school districts and

early childhood programs to verify compliance.

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State Performance Plan 2005-2012 - Part B - Arkansas Department Of Education Page 231