View FileDecember 18, 2003 to Texas Education Agency Associate Commissioner Susan Barnes (MS Word)
Dated December 18, 2003Dr. Susan BarnesAssociate Commissioner for Standards and ProgramsTexas Education Agency1701 N. Congress Avenue, Room 3-121QW.B. Travis BuildingAustin, TX 78701-1494Dear Dr. Barnes:This letter is in response to your question to Dean Kern, Director of the Charter School Program at the U.S. Department of Education regarding students with disabilities and virtual charter schools. You ask whether there is any federal guidance specifically for students with disabilities enrolled in virtual charter schools or other types of virtual education developed by states and/or their districts. By "virtual education," I assume that you mean education that uses information and communication technologies to deliver traditional educational programs (e.g., via the Internet, teleconferencing, tele-video conferencing). The Office of Special Education Programs has not developed guidance specific to virtual charter schools or other types of virtual education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each State make available a free/s/ Patricia J. Guard forStephanie Smith LeeDirectorOffice of Special Education Programscc: Dean KernPage PAGE 2 - Dr. Susan Barnes
