Individualized Education Plans

About the Bill

Each student with a disability is provided with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that sets forth the promised services to the student to permit the student to make meaningful education progress over the next year. The IEP is intended to be developed in a collaborative process between the school and the parents. SEEK is concerned about any legislative initiatives that undermine the individualized nature of the educational programs.

For that reason, SEEK is concerned about the legislative initiative to create a Special Education Predictable Cost Cooperative. The proposal is for the creation of an insurance company to provide predictability for school districts in their special education budgets. SEEK opposes the establishment of a Cost Cooperative. If such a cooperative were set up, SEEK would seek language ensuring that the insurance company would have no ability to question an IEP developed pursuant to the IDEA. Further, the administrative costs of the Cooperative would need to be new money and not funds recycled from limited special education budgets. And, all communications between a school district and the Cooperative relating to a student’s IEP would need to be available to the parent of the child.

SEEK of CT is a social welfare organization, organized under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the donation. 501(c)(4) organizations are required to disclose certain information publicly, although we are not required to disclose the name and address of any contributor to the organization. Under this statute, we are permitted to lobby extensively and to participate in political activity in support of or opposition to candidates for office, as long as such election activities are not our primary activity