IEP Service Delivery in Vermont
How are IEP services delivered in Vermont?
Vermont has specific regulations governing service delivery settings through VT AOE Rule 2360.8. The full continuum of placement options must be available, including instruction in regular classes, resource rooms, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and hospitals/institutions. Vermont has a strong commitment to inclusive education; supervisory unions must make available programs that allow students with disabilities to be educated alongside nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Extended school year (ESY) services must be provided when the IEP team determines the student requires them to receive FAPE (VT AOE Rule 2360.7.1). Vermont's Act 264 (now integrated into the education funding statute at 16 V.S.A. § 4001 et seq.) affects supervisory union responsibility for special education funding and delivery. The district must provide early intervention services for children ages 3-6 consistent with Vermont's early education framework.
What Vermont Requires
The full continuum of placement options must be available, including regular classes, resource rooms, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and hospital settings (VT AOE Rule 2360.8; 34 CFR 300.115).
Vermont has a strong inclusive education commitment — students must be educated with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, with supplementary aids and services used before more restrictive placements (VT AOE Rule 2360.8).
Extended school year services must be provided when necessary for the student to receive FAPE; the decision cannot be based solely on category of disability or administrative convenience (VT AOE Rule 2360.7.1; 34 CFR 300.106).
Vermont supervisory unions (not individual school districts) are the responsible local educational agencies for special education under Act 264 / 16 V.S.A. § 4001 et seq.
Vermont's early education system provides services for children ages 3-5, transitioning from Part C (early intervention) to Part B at age 3 (VT AOE Rule 2360.3).
Districts may contract for services they cannot directly provide, subject to quality and licensure requirements (VT AOE Rule 2360.4).
Key Timelines
Services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP (VT AOE Rule 2360.7.1).
Service delivery models must be reviewed at least annually at the IEP meeting (VT AOE Rule 2360.7.2).
ESY eligibility must be considered by the IEP team before the end of each regular school year (VT AOE Rule 2360.7.1; 34 CFR 300.106).
Part C to Part B transition conference must be held at least 90 days before the child's third birthday (34 CFR 300.124; VT AOE Rule 2360.3).