11-1300-19249-1

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

In the Matter of the Proposed Amendment to Rules Governing Special Education, Minnesota Rules Chapter 3525, and the Repeal of Minnesota Rules 3525.2435 and 3525.2710

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................ i

REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.......................................... 1

NOTICE............................................................................................................... 2

FINDINGS OF FACT........................................................................................... 3

I. Background and Nature of the Proposed Rules....................................... 3

II. Compliance with Procedural Rulemaking Requirements......................... 4

III. Statutory Authority..................................................................................... 6

A. MDE’s Statutory Authority to Amend and Repeal

Aversive and Deprivation Procedure Rules.................................... 7

1. Arguments of Interested Persons and

MDE’s Response................................................................. 7

2. Analysis and Conclusion of Administrative Law Judge................................................................................. 11

B. MDE’s Statutory Authority to Adopt, Amend and Repeal

Rules Other Than Those Relating to Aversive and

Deprivation Procedures................................................................ 15

1. General Rulemaking Authority under

Minn. Stat. § 125A.07........................................................ 15

2. Authority for Care and Treatment Rules under

Minn. Laws 2006, Ch. 263, Art. 3, Sec. 16........................ 16

IV. Additional Notice Requirements.............................................................. 17

V. Impact on Farming Operations................................................................ 18

VI. Compliance with Other Statutory Requirements..................................... 18

A. Cost and Alternative Assessments............................................... 18

B. Performance-Based Regulation................................................... 23

C. Consultation with the Commissioner of Finance.......................... 23

D. Cost to Small Businesses and Cities under

Minn. Stat. § 14.127..................................................................... 24

VII. Rulemaking Legal Standards.................................................................. 25

VIII. Analysis of the Proposed Rules.............................................................. 26

IX. Broad Issues Relating to the Proposed Rules........................................ 27

A. Concerns about Propriety of Proceeding with the

Proposed Rules at the Present Time........................................... 27

B. Cost Concerns............................................................................. 29

C. Concerns about Increasing Regulation and Paperwork

Requirements............................................................................... 31

X. Rule-by-Rule Analysis

Proposed Rule Part:

3525.0210 Definitions.......................................................................... 35

Subpart 35 – Parent.......................................................... 35

3525.0400 Least Restrictive Environment.......................................... 36

3525.0850 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports................ 43

Subpart 3 – Definitions...................................................... 43

3525.0855 Behavioral Intervention Plans............................................ 43

3525.0850 Regulated Interventions..................................................... 44

3525.0865 Prohibited Procedures....................................................... 44

3525.0870 Emergency and Notice of Peace Officer Involvement....... 44

Subpart 3 – Notice of peace officer involvement............... 44

3525.1325 Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).................................... 46

3525.1327 Deaf-Blind.......................................................................... 47

3525.1331 Deaf and Hard of Hearing.................................................. 47

3525.1335 Other Health Disabilities.................................................... 49

3525.1341 Specific Learning Disability............................................... 50

Subpart 1 – Definition........................................................ 51

Subpart 2 – Criteria........................................................... 53

Overview of SLD Criteria, Subpart 2, Items A-D.... 55

Comments Regarding Item A................................. 57

Comments Regarding Item B................................. 59

Comments Regarding Item C................................. 62

Comments Regarding Item D................................. 63

SRBI Procedures................................................... 64

Parental Consent to SRBI...................................... 64

Data Collection Requirements................................ 65

Fidelity of Implementation....................................... 68

Fifth Percentile........................................................ 70

Subpart 3 – Determination of specific learning disability... 73

Subpart 4 – Verification..................................................... 76

3525.1343 Speech or Language Impairments.................................... 78

3525.2325 Education Programs for K-12 Children with Disabilities

and Regular Students Placed Outside the Normal

School Site for Care and Treatment................................... 78

Subpart 1 – When education is required........................... 80

Subpart 1a – Responsibility for provision of education

services............................................................................. 84

Subpart 2 – Education programs for students and

children with disabilities and regular education

students placed in short-term programs for care

and treatment.................................................................... 85

Subpart 3 – Education programs for children with

disabilities and regular education students placed

in long-term programs for care and treatment................... 85

Subpart 4 – When a student or child with a disability

leaves the facility............................................................... 89

Subpart 5 – Minimum service required............................. 90

Subpart 7 – Placement of students and children with

a disability and regular education students; aid for

special education............................................................... 91

3525.2720 Criteria Upon Reevaluation............................................... 91

3525.2810 Development of Individualized Education Program Plan.. 98

3525.2900 Transition Planning......................................................... 100

3525.3700 Conciliation Conference.................................................. 101

3525.3900 Initiating a Due Process Hearing.................................... 101

3525.4110 Prehearing Conference.................................................. 103

3525.4700 Enforcement and Appeals.............................................. 105

CONCLUSIONS.............................................................................................. 106

RECOMMENDATION..................................................................................... 107