Foundation's Legislative Work
MoDE Foundation's 2023 Legislative Priorities
Burden of Proof
When parents or guardians and the IEP team cannot come to an agreement on the IEP, the parents or guardians may choose to file due process. In the state of Missouri, the burden of proof that IDEA (federal special education law) requirements have not been met is on the parents. Many states rightfully place the burden of proof on the school districts, since the school is required by law to meet the IDEA requirement of providing FAPE (free and appropriate public education) for the student.
The Supreme Court ruled that while the burden of proof lies on the parents or guardian, states may pass laws to change this. Currently nine states and Washington, DC, have laws that place the Burden of Proof on the school system.
Parental Consent to Implement IEPs
When a student has disabilities, a team consisting of the parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, specialists, and school psychologists work together to develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program) for the student. Parents or guardians are asked to sign the IEP so that it can go into effect. While developing the IEP should be a collaborative effort, there are times the parents or guardians do not agree with what the school decides. While they may choose not to sign it, it still goes into effect after ten days. Parents or guardians have only ten days to file due process to stop the IEP from being implemented. Some states have passed laws requiring parental consent for changes made to the IEP. By making sure all parties are in agreement, this law encourages collaboration by the IEP team.
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Cameras in Special Education Classrooms
Students in self-contained classrooms may not have the ability to express what is happening in a classroom. Some students are in self-contained classrooms due to behavior concerns and there are elevated behavior incidents in the classroom. Cameras add extra eyes. Cameras enable teachers and parents to review alleged incidents that occurred in the classroom and potentially resolve the issue. Cameras are an extra layer of protection for both students and teachers.