As required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004, United States Department of Education (USDE)/Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and Mississippi State Code, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has developed proposed State Policies Regarding Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004. The Mississippi State Board of Education has approved MDE’s request to begin a period of public comment and regional public hearings according to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).
Beginning April 17, 2009, and continuing through June 15, 2009, the proposed State Policies will be available for review and public comment. The document can be accessed by visiting the Office of Special Education (OSE) website at www.mde.k12.ms.us/special_education/policies.html. Copies are on file for public viewing at Central High School Building, Suite 301, 359 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi.
Four regional public hearings were scheduled across the state for the purpose of receiving comments pertaining to the proposed State Policies Regarding Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004. The schedule for remaining two public hearings follows:
May 18, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg High School
Multi Purpose Room, 301 Hutchinson Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 544-0811

May 26, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Tupelo, MS
University of Mississippi
1918 Briar Ridge Road
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 690-6220
Interested individuals are urged to review the proposed State Policies Regarding Children with Disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 2004, prepare written comments and present them at one of the public hearings. If you need special accommodations due to a disability in order to participate in a public hearing, please contact Yvonne Ellis at the Office of Special Education by calling (601) 359-3498 or toll free at 1-877-544-0408.
Persons may address written comments to the agency regarding the proposed State Policies by:
1) Writing to the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education,
     P. O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771;
2)  Visiting the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education,
     359 North West Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201;
3)  Emailing PublicComments@mde.k12.ms.us; and/or
4)  Faxing to 601-359-2078, attention: Barbara David.