ERIC Number: ED299751
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1988-Feb
Pages: 12
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Interagency Collaboration among Rural Special Education Programs: How Is It Done and Is It Working?
Fletcher, R.; And Others
Public Law 94-142 requires that local education agencies (LEAs) generating less than $7,500 through the child count formula either submit consolidated applications or use the state education agency (SEA) to provide child services directly. A survey of state directors of special education in 50 states sought to address the status of interagency collaborations among rural school districts. Thirty-six of the states have legislated or regulated systems of collaboration among their local education authorities. Authorization for the systems are categorized under four legal processes: intermediate education units or boards of educational cooperatives, statutorily established consortia/cooperatives, state board of education-regulated centers or cooperatives, and other consolidated applications. School districts have developed interagency agreements not only to meet the $7,500 minimum provision but also to facilitate free, appropriate public education. Fifty-two percent of the SEAs were very satisfied with the ability of their present systems to address Public Law 94-142 compliance issues. An analysis of the perceived strengths and weaknesses among the types of collaborative systems identified seven clusters of positive characteristics and four negative characteristics. Implications for planning are also noted. (JDD)
Descriptors: Agency Cooperation, Compliance (Legal), Cooperative Planning, Disabilities, Educational Cooperation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, National Surveys, Rural Education, School Districts, Special Education, State Departments of Education, State Programs, State School District Relationship, State Supervisors
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A