HB 5353 Summary

• Expands notice and participation rights for parents/guardians in special education planning and placement team meetings, including pre-meeting opportunities to discuss concerns and advance receipt of assessment results at least three school days before meetings.

• Requires teacher preparation programs to include instruction on implementing student individualized education programs and special education service delivery, effective July 1, 2012.

• Mandates special education teachers complete at least 10 hours of continuing education every five years on individualized education program implementation and communication of special education procedures to parents.

• Establishes that boards of education must provide applied behavior analysis services to children with autism spectrum disorder if required in their individualized education program or Section 504 plan.

• Standardizes terminology throughout statutes to use "individualized education program" instead of "individualized education plan" and clarifies provisions for students in foster care attending their school of origin.