Department of Education September 18, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and extensions of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. This waiver and extension of the project period enables the currently funded Technical Assistance Coordination Center (Center) to receive funding from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014.

The Secretary proposes to amend regulations under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA or Act). These regulations govern the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities program. The Secretary seeks public comment on proposed amendments to the regulation regarding local maintenance of effort to clarify existing policy and make other related changes regarding: The compliance standard; the eligibility standard; the level of effort required of a local educational agency (LEA) in the year after it fails to maintain effort under the IDEA; and the consequence for a failure to maintain local effort. The Secretary also seeks comment on whether States and LEAs or other interested parties think these proposed amendments will be helpful in increasing understanding of, and ensuring compliance with, the current local maintenance of effort requirements. Specifically, the Secretary seeks comment from States and LEAs to identify where they are experiencing the most problems in implementing the maintenance of effort requirements.