Q&A
Steps taken to prevent unnecessary due process cases and improve IESP services
0:34:22
ยท
124 sec
DOE officials explain the measures implemented to prevent unnecessary due process cases and improve Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) services. They discuss changes in procedures and efforts to better serve families.
- The DOE has implemented a June 1st deadline as part of a larger set of efforts to change how IESP services are provided.
- Data shows a significant increase in IESP cases, with about 70% having SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services) recommendations.
- The DOE faces challenges in finding providers for SETSS due to a supply problem and an explosion in demand.
- Efforts have been made to speak directly with families to arrange services or provide vouchers for finding providers.
- The value of the P-4 voucher has been significantly increased to make it easier for families to find providers who will accept it.
Liz Vladeck
0:34:22
Well, yes.
0:34:23
Actually, we've taken a a long list of steps to try and prevent that.
0:34:27
The efforts the the June 1st deadline that you mentioned earlier is actually just one piece of a large set of efforts this year to really change how we are providing IESP services.
0:34:39
What the data shows us is that the number of those cases jumped very significantly very quickly in a short period of years, and that the IESPs involved in those cases, have a very high percentage of sets recommendations.
0:34:56
About 70% of these IESPs have a sets recommendation.
0:35:01
Now unlike occupational therapists, speech, or physical therapists, the providers of sets are not licensed professionals who may work on an hourly basis.
0:35:12
There are teachers who are licensed professionals.
0:35:14
But my point is there's not a big pool of itinerant special education teachers kind of hanging out and looking for hourly work.
0:35:23
And so a lot of families who were looking for, those set services, we ran into a a supply problem for an explosion in demand.
0:35:34
What we've done this year, unfortunately, some of that demand, we think, was sort of manufactured, and has caused some of the problems that families have had to struggle with.
0:35:43
However, in addition to a long list of other steps we've taken, which I won't bore you with now, but I'm happy to discuss, we efforts directly to speak to families, either to directly arrange for their services, or to ensure that they have a voucher that they can use to find a provider.
0:36:11
And as, deputy chancellor Foti said, we significantly increase the value of the p four voucher, and we our understanding is that, it's it's become much easier to find providers who will accept that voucher.
Jumaane Williams
0:36:26
Is it?