<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>TO: All District and ESD Special Education Directors<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Petrea Hagen-Gilden<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Interim Assistant Superintendent<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Office of Student Learning & Partnerships<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>______________________________________________ <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>September 25, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>RE: Two Important Developments for Districts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear Colleague:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Welcome back to what promises to be an interesting and exciting school year! I write this letter to introduce myself to you and to alert you to two important developments in the area of service provision for transition age students.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>We did communicate briefly with you to let you know that I have assumed responsibility, on an interim basis, for leadership in the office of Student Learning and Partnerships (SL&P) at the Oregon Department of Education. I am honored to serve the children, families, and schools in Oregon once again. During my tenure, I intend to do all I can to further the goals of Governor Kitzhaber, Chief Education Officer Crew, and Deputy Superintendent Saxton to improve outcomes for all students. All of us in SL&P are looking forward to partnering with you to achieve these goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>We will continue with our current initiatives and, of course, our general supervision responsibilities. However, we will also be actively seeking your input on how we can better assist districts in implementing special education services and improving student outcomes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Above I noted there were two important issues for districts. These are detailed below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) findings regarding sheltered workshops</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>: During the summer, the United States Department of Justice issued a letter of findings indicating that Oregon’s use of sheltered workshops was a violation of the <i>Americans with Disabilities Act.</i> The media reporting on this issue focused on adult services, and as a result, many of you may have been unaware that the letter also includes findings related to school age programs. In summary, the USDOJ faulted districts for utilizing sheltered workshops as placements for students who are in transition programs, and as projected placements for transition outcomes. The practice of simulating sheltered workshops as part of school curricula was also highlighted as problematic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>At this time, ODE is a participant in those negotiations, along with the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division and Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services Division in on-going negotiation<span style='color:#1F497D'>s</span> that seek to address these findings. As part of our negotiation<span style='color:#1F497D'>s</span>, we may seek data from you regarding such services, and appreciate your assistance in these efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>At this time, we ask that you<span style='color:#1F497D'> </span>be aware of and evaluate the efficacy of such practices in your districts or programs. The letter in full can be found at (<a href="http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/olmstead_cases_list2.htm"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/olmstead_cases_list2.htm#oregon-findltr</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Portland Public Schools (PPS) agreement with Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) regarding the provision of 990 hours of instruction for students with disabilities with modified and extended diplomas, and alternative certificates</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>: On September 18, 2012, PPS and DRO settled a complaint regarding the provision of instructional hours for students in the District’s Community Transition Program. This complaint was between PPS and DRO and has no legal bearing on any other local education agency (LEA). However, it is important for LEAs to be aware of this issue and to make sure their programs comply with the requirements of HB 2283.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The agreement, PPS policy revisions, and its intended letter for parents and adult students can be found at (<a href="http://www.droregon.org/news/dro-and-yrj-sign-agreement-with-pps-to-provide-full-school-days-to-transition-aged-students-with-disabilities">http://www.droregon.org/news/dro-and-yrj-sign-agreement-with-pps-to-provide-full-school-days-to-transition-aged-students-with-disabilities</a>), and may be useful for LEA directors and transition program providers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Conference and working with you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Petrea Hagen-Gilden<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Office of Student Learning & Partnerships<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Oregon Department of Education<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="mailto:ruby.sandberg@state.or.us">ruby.sandberg@state.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Oregon Department of Education is an equal opportunity agency and employer. Messages to and from this email address may be made available to the public under Oregon law.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>