BEFORE THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

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In the matter of the adoption���������������������������� �) NOTICE OF ADOPTION

of NEW RULE I Assignment of������������������������ )

Persons Providing Instruction to���������������������� )

Braille Students��������������������������������������������������)

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TO: All Concerned Persons

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1. On November 22, 2006, the Board of Public Education published MAR Notice No. 10-55-242 regarding the public hearing on the proposed adoption of the above-stated rule at page 2869 of the 2006 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 22.

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2. The Board of Public Education has adopted new RULE I, ARM 10.55.717 Assignment of Persons Providing Instruction to Braille Students as proposed.

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3. The following comments were received and appear with the Board of Public Education's responses:

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COMMENT 1: Steve Gettel, Superintendent of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB) commented in support of the rule and provided written testimony.

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COMMENT 2: Martin Greiser, a concerned citizen and parent of a visually impaired student, stated that he believes this rule is long overdue and his only concern is one of compliance and monitoring in school districts.

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COMMENT 3: Cody Greiser, a student with a visual impairment, commented that he thinks the rule is a good idea and is glad this standard will be implemented.

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RESPONSE: The Board of Public Education thanked the commentors for their comments.

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COMMENT 4: The Board of Public Education received written testimony in support of the new rule from Steve Gettel, Superintendent, MSDB; Jim and Gwen Beyer of Helping Other Parents Excel, Montana; Emily Coleman, parent of a child with visual impairment; Lois A. Thatcher, parent of a child with visual impairment; Diana Colgrove, Chairperson, Special Education Advisory Panel with OPI; Norman and Doris Balko, grandparents of a child with visual impairment; Nancy Getten, MSDB Resource Consultant; the Rolf family of which a family member is blind; Robert Runkel, Acting Assistant Superintendent, OPI; Peggy Jarrett, concerned citizen; Pam Lytton concerned citizen; and Kerri B. Norick, MSDB Outreach Vision consultant. The general nature and tone of their comments supported the need for this rule in the accreditation standards and that all Braille instructors should meet minimum state standards.

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RESPONSE: The Board of Public Education appreciates the input and accepts and agrees with the comments.

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���������������� �/s/ Diane Fladmo

�����������������Diane Fladmo, Chairperson

�����������������Board of Public Education

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�����������/s/ Steve Meloy

�����������Steve Meloy, Executive Secretary

�����������Rule Reviewer

�����������Board of Public Education

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Certified to the Secretary of State January 29, 2007.