Committee Seeks Assurances on IEPs as Federal Education Funding and Guidance Remain Uncertain

Representative Salisbury asked the Pennsylvania Department of Education at the Feb. 24 appropriations hearing what to tell parents worried that IEPs and 504 accommodations could be unenforced if federal guidance or funding changes.

"I think you can start by telling parents that the values of the Shapiro Administration haven't changed," Secretary Rowe said, adding that state law requiring IEPs remains in effect and that PDE is seeking clarification from the U.S. Department of Education where federal executive orders or "Dear Colleague" letters have introduced uncertainty.

Rowe told committee members PDE will examine the impacts of any changes and provide guidance where possible. She said the department would "take stock of all of the conversations" and issue additional specificity when federal direction is clarified.

When Representative Salisbury asked whether the Commonwealth could make up for significant losses in federal IDEA funds, Rowe said PDE would develop contingency plans. "Needless to say, if $600,000,000 in IDEA funds failed to flow to the state, that would cause irreparable harm," she said.

On remedies at the state level, Rowe said parents and guardians can pursue district-level processes, and that due-process and procedural rights listed on district forms include contact information for PDE for further remedy. "They can certainly speak with their school district and ... in that there is contact information for the department so that they can seek a remedy," she said.

Ending: PDE told lawmakers it is tracking federal developments, will request clarification from the U.S. Department of Education, and would issue guidance and contingency planning if federal funding or rules change.