Section 3301-51-09 - [Effective 7/1/2025] Delivery of services(A) Least restrictive environment (LRE) Each educational agency will ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or nonpublic institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are non disabled.
(B) Least restrictive environment General
(1) Except as provided in rule 3301-51-07 of the Administrative Code regarding children with disabilities in adult prisons, each school district will adopt and implement written policies and procedures approved by the department of education and workforce, to ensure that the school district meets the least restrictive environment provisions of this rule.(2) Each educational agency will ensure that:(a) To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or nonpublic institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are non disabled; and(b) Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.(C) Continuum of alternative placements(1) Each educational agency will ensure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services.(2) The continuum specified in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule will: (a) Include the alternative placements listed in the definition of special education under rule 3301-51-01 of the Administrative Code (instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions); and(b) Make provision for supplementary services (such as resource room or itinerant instruction) to be provided in conjunction with regular class placement.(D) Placements In determining the educational placement of a child with a disability, including a preschool child with a disability, each educational agency will ensure that:
(1) The placement decision: (a) Is made by a group of persons, including the parents and other persons knowledgeable about the child, the meaning of the evaluation data, and the placement options; and(b) Is made in conformity with the least restrictive environment provisions in paragraphs (B) to (E) of this rule.(2) The child's placement:(a) Is determined at least annually;(b) Is based on the child's individualized education program (IEP); and(c) Is as close as possible to the child's home;(3) Unless the IEP of a child with a disability necessitates some other arrangement, the child is educated in the school that the child would attend if non disabled;(4) In selecting the least restrictive environment, consideration is given to any potential harmful effect on the child or on the quality of services that the child needs; and(5) A child with a disability is not removed from education in age-appropriate regular classrooms solely because of needed modifications in the general education curriculum.(E) Nonacademic settings In providing or arranging for the provision of nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities, including meals, recess periods, and the services and activities set forth in rule 3301-51-02 of the Administrative Code, each educational agency will ensure that each child with a disability participates with non disabled children in the extracurricular services and activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of that child. The educational agency will ensure that each child with a disability has the supplementary aids and services determined by the child's IEP team to be appropriate and necessary for the child to participate in nonacademic settings.
(F) Length of school day and school year Each child with a disability will be ensured:
(1) A school day consistent with rule 3301-35-06 of the Administrative Code and consistent in length to that provided to a child without disabilities, with special education and related services being provided during the regular school day unless otherwise indicated on the IEP; and(2) A school year consistent with rule 3301-35-06 of the Administrative Code and consistent in length to that provided to a child without disabilities with special education and related services being implemented at the beginning of each school year.(G) Role of preschool and school-age service providers (1) The educational agency will assign early childhood, and school-age intervention specialists, and/or related service providers to meet the unique educational needs of each child with a disability. The school-age service provider may provide indirect or direct services in one or any combination of instructional groupings, including large group, small group, individual instruction, or parent and teacher training and consultation.(2) The educational agency will ensure early childhood and school-age intervention specialists, and/or related service providers: (a) Serve children with disabilities to assure a free appropriate public education and may serve children without disabilities where needs for services are identified;(b) Support regular education teachers in serving and/or consulting about children with and without disabilities so that the regular education personnel, in partnership with the special education service providers and related service personnel, can implement a child's individualized education program in the least restrictive environment;(c) Assist in organizing and facilitating supplemental supports provided within the regular classroom;(d) Design parent involvement activities; and(e) Implement educational interventions and specially designed instruction which means adapting, as appropriate, to the needs of the eligible child, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction: (i) To address the unique needs of the child that result from the child's disability; and(ii) To ensure access to the general curriculum so that the child can meet the educational standards adopted by the state board of education that apply to all children.(3) The educational agency will ensure services of paraprofessionals and related service assistants are supervised in accordance with Ohio law.(H) Personnel qualifications and personnel development(1) General The educational agency will ensure that all personnel necessary to carry out the purposes of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, December 2004 (IDEA) will be employed and will be appropriately and adequately prepared and trained, including that those personnel have the content knowledge and skills to serve children with disabilities. Personnel will have appropriate certification or licensure as defined by Chapter 3301-24 of the Administrative Code.
(2) Related services personnel and paraprofessionals The qualifications under paragraph (H)(1) of this rule will include qualifications for related services personnel and paraprofessionals that:
(a) Are consistent with state-approved or state-recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable provisions that apply to the professional discipline in which those personnel are providing special education or related services; and(b) Ensure that related services personnel who deliver services in their discipline or profession: (i) Meet the provisions of paragraph (H)(2)(a) of this rule; and(ii) Have not had certification or licensure obligations waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis; and(iii) Allow paraprofessionals and assistants who are appropriately trained and supervised, in accordance with state law, regulation, or written policy, in meeting the provisions of this rule, to be used to assist in the provision of special education and related services under this rule to children with disabilities.(a) Paraprofessionals providing services to children with disabilities will hold an educational aide permit or associate license and meets the provisions under paragraph (I) of rule 3301-24-05 of the Administrative Code. Any educational agency that employs a paraprofessional will have written policies and procedures outlining: (i) Criteria for staff selection;(ii) A planned sequence of continuing education and annual training opportunities to enable the paraprofessional to continue to develop the knowledge and skills that are specific to the students with whom the paraprofessional works, including following lesson plans, implementing follow-up instructional procedures and activities, supporting effective classroom organization and behavior management, and working effectively with teachers and as part of an instructional team;(iii) A process for direct continuing supervision by one or more licensed teachers or service providers and evaluation of the services of such personnel; and(iv) A job description of the role and function of a paraprofessional.(b) Personnel serving as school psychology interns will hold a temporary pupil service license as specified by paragraph (A)(5) of rule 3301-23-44 of the Administrative Code and will be enrolled in school psychologist preparation programs while completing the program internship.(c) Ensure that personnel serving as physical therapists are licensed pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code to practice physical therapy; physical therapist assistants are licensed pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code to assist in the provision of physical therapy services under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist; and physical therapists and physical therapist assistants practice in accordance with sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code and Chapters 4755-21 to 4755-29 of the Administrative Code.(d) Ensure that personnel serving as occupational therapists are licensed pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code to practice occupational therapy; occupational therapy assistants are licensed pursuant to Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code to assist in the provision of occupational therapy services under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist; and occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants practice in accordance with sections 4755.04 to 4755.13 of the Revised Code and Chapters 4755-1 to 4755-9 of the Administrative Code.(3) Qualifications for special education teachers The qualifications described in paragraph (H)(1) of this rule will ensure that each person employed as a public school special education teacher in the state who teaches in an elementary school, middle school, or secondary school has obtained full state certification as a special education teacher and include qualifications for special education teachers that:
(a) Are consistent with state-approved or state-recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable provisions that apply to the professional discipline in which those personnel are providing special education or related services; and(b) Ensure that licensed special education teachers who deliver services in their discipline or profession:(i) Meet the provisions of paragraph (H)(3)(a) of this rule; and(ii) Have not had certification or licensure provisions waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.(4) Qualifications for supervisory personnel Personnel with supervisory responsibilities for the delivery of special education services will hold a valid administrator license and be appropriately licensed as specified by rule 3301-24-05 of the Administrative Code and in compliance with each educational agency's approved board policies.
"Supervisory and coordinator services" includes, but is not limited to, providing information and explanation to all personnel who provide special education and related services to students with disabilities regarding state and federal laws, educating staff on recommended practices, and other topics essential for the delivery of services to children with disabilities; helping educational agency personnel evaluate the effectiveness of special education and related services; and providing in-service education to parents and personnel involved in educating children with disabilities.
(5) Policy(a) Educational agencies in the state will take measurable steps to recruit, hire, train, and retain proper state certification to provide special education and related services under this rule to children with disabilities.(b) Personnel will be provided professional development that aligns with educational agency goals and objectives and meets the changing needs of children as provided by rule 3301-35-05 of the Administrative Code.(6) Rule of construction Notwithstanding any other individual right of action that a parent or child may maintain under this rule, nothing in this rule will be construed to create a right of action on behalf of an individual child or a class of children for the failure of a particular department of education and workforce or educational agency employee to be properly certified, or to prevent a parent from filing a complaint about staff qualifications with the department of education and workforce as provided for under this rule.
(7) Transition services Transition services will be coordinated and provided by individuals who have the competencies, experiences, and training to meet the child's transition service needs.
(a) Individuals who coordinate transition services will either:(i) Obtain the transition to work endorsement as defined in rule 3301-24-05 of the Administrative Code; or(ii) Possess the skills and knowledge as defined in rule 3301-51-01 of the Administrative Code.(b) Individuals who provide transition services as defined in rule 3301-51-01 of the Administrative Code will possess the appropriate credential, skills, or knowledge necessary to carry out the transition services designated within the child's individualized education program.(I) Service provider workload determination for delivery of services Educational agencies providing special education and related services to children with disabilities will ensure that the educational agency and all service providers implement the individualized education programs for each child with a disability in the classrooms, including resource rooms, in which they provide service during regular school hours based upon all of the factors set forth in this rule. For additional preschool service provider workload determination see rule 3301-51-11 of the Administrative Code.
(1) Workload for an individual service provider will be determined by the following process, which incorporates the following components:(a) All areas of service provided to children with and without disabilities, including, but not limited to school duties, staff meetings, professional development, supervisions, travel/transitions, screening, assessment, evaluation, progress documentation and reporting, secondary transition service planning, conferencing/consultation collaborative planning, documentation for individual students, and third party billing obligations.(b) Services for children with disabilities will be based on the unique needs of the individual child and will take into consideration the severity of each child's need, and the level and frequency of services necessary to provide a free and appropriate public education.(c) Time needed for planning in accordance with rule 3301-35-05 of the Administrative Code including statutory and/or contractual agreements applicable to the educational agency.(2) School-age service providers serving grades kindergarten through age twenty- one will provide specially designed instruction in accordance with the following provisions limiting the number of students per licensed professional, as set forth in paragraphs (I)(2)(a) to (I)(2)(h) of this rule.(a) An intervention specialist will serve no more than sixteen children at the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, or no more than twenty-four children at the high school level with intellectual disabilities.(i) No more than twelve children at the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, or no more than sixteen children at the senior high school level will be served during any one instruction period.(ii) The age range will not exceed sixty months within any one instructional period.(b) An intervention specialist will serve no more than sixteen children at the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, or no more than twenty-four children at the high school level with specific learning disabilities.(i) No more than twelve children will be served during any one instructional period.(ii) The age range will not exceed sixty months within any one instructional period.(c) An intervention specialist will serve no more than ten children with hearing impairments, visual impairments, orthopedic impairments, and/or other health impairments. (i) No more than eight children will be served during any one instructional period.(ii) The age range will not exceed forty-eight months within any one instructional period.(d) An intervention specialist will serve no more than twelve children with emotional disturbances. (i) No more than ten children will be served during any one instructional period.(ii) The age range will not exceed forty-eight months within any one instructional period.(iii) There should be a plan on file and in operation in the educational agency to provide appropriate classroom management and crisis intervention support.(iv) In the absence of a plan, the educational agency will employ at least one full-time paraprofessional in each special class for these children.(e) An intervention specialist will serve no more than eight children with multiple disabilities. (i) No more than eight children will be served during any one instructional period.(ii) The age range will not exceed sixty months within any one instructional period.(iii) There will be at least one full-time paraprofessional in each special class for children with multiple disabilities.(f) An intervention specialist will serve no more than six children with autism, deaf-blindness and/or traumatic brain injury. (i) The age range will not exceed sixty months within any one instructional period; and(ii) There will be at least one full-time paraprofessional in each special class for these children.(g) An intervention specialist may serve multiple categories of children with disabilities for which the person is properly certified. The ratio for this service will be determined in accordance with paragraph (I)(1) of this rule and will not exceed sixteen children at the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, or no more than twenty-four at the high school level.(i) No more than sixteen children at the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, or no more than twenty-four children at the high school level will be served during any one instructional period.(ii) The age range will not exceed sixty months within any one instructional period.(iii) Indirect and direct services will be provided in accordance with each child's individualized education program.(h) An adapted physical education specialist will serve no more than one hundred children with disabilities.(3) Related service providers for preschool and school-age children with disabilities will provide specially designed instruction in accordance with the following provisions limiting the number of students per licensed professional:(a) An audiologist will provide services to no more than one hundred school-age children with disabilities or no more than seventy-five preschool children with disabilities.(b) An occupational therapist will provide services to no more than fifty school-age children with disabilities or no more than forty preschool children with disabilities. An occupational therapy assistant who provides occupational therapy techniques will do so under the general supervision of an occupational therapist as provided under rules 4755-7-01 and 4755-7-03 of the Administrative Code.(c) An orientation and mobility instructor will provide services to no more than fifty school-age children with disabilities or no more than forty preschool children with disabilities.(d) A physical therapist will provide services to no more than fifty school-age children with disabilities or no more than forty preschool children with disabilities. A physical therapist assistant who assists in the provision of physical therapy services will do so under the supervision of a physical therapist as provided under Chapter 4755-27 of the Administrative Code.(e) A speech and language pathologist will provide services to no more than: (i) Eighty school-age children with disabilities, or(ii) No more than fifty school-age children with multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, autism, orthopedic impairments or other health impairments, or(iii) No more than fifty preschool children with disabilities, or(iv) A combination of preschool and school-age children with disabilities or children with multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, autism, orthopedic impairments, or other health impairments proportionate to the ratios set forth in paragraphs (I)(3)(f)(i) to (I)(3)(f)(iii) of this rule. Each school district will provide speech and language pathology services as specified by division (F) of section 3317.15 of the Revised Code.
(f) A school psychologist will provide services to no more than: (i) One hundred twenty-five school-age children with disabilities, or(ii) Seventy-five preschool children with disabilities, or(iii) A combination of preschool and school-age children with disabilities proportionate with the ratios set forth in paragraphs (I)(3)(f)(i) and (I)(3)(f)(ii) of this rule. Psychological services are defined in rule 3301-51-01 of the Administrative Code. Each school district will provide school psychological services as specified by division (F) of section 3317.15 of the Revised Code.
(4) Transition services will be: (a) Coordinated by personnel who possess the credential or skills and knowledge as defined in this rule; (i) Personnel coordinating transition services will provide services to no more than seventy-five children with disabilities age fourteen through twenty-one, inclusive, or younger if determined appropriate by the individualized education program team; and(ii) Personnel coordinating transition services will provide services to no more than twenty intervention specialists who are providing services to students with disabilities age fourteen through twenty- one, inclusive, or younger as determined appropriate by the individualized education program team.(b) Provided per division (O) of section 3323.01 of the Revised Code by individuals who possess the credential or skills and knowledge as defined in this rule.(c) Personnel coordinating and providing transition services while serving in the capacity of a school age or related service provider will operate in accordance with the workload determination for delivery of service as defined in this rule and provisions limiting the number of students per licensed professional as described in this rule.(5) Supervisory services A supervisor, as provided in this rule, will:
(a) Provide services, to no more than twenty intervention specialists who are providing services to children with disabilities; or(b) Provide services to no more than twenty speech and language pathologists; or(c) Provide services to no more than twenty school psychologists.(d) Supervise an occupational therapy assistant under rule 4755-7-01 of the Administrative Code.(e) Supervise a physical therapist assistant under Chapter 4755-27 of the Administrative Code.(J) Housing, facilities, materials, and equipment and supplies for preschool and school-age programs(1) Children and service providers will have a service area that will accommodate the special needs of the children in attendance and be of sufficient capacity to accommodate the use and storage of special equipment and teaching materials. Service areas used for special education classrooms will be equivalent to those used for general education classrooms.(2) Each service provider will have access to an office or room space suitable for private consultation or intervention; access to a telephone in an area where scheduling, parent contacts, and confidential conversations regarding children can be completed; and adequate office equipment including a locking file cabinet with a key and supplies.(3) Service areas will be equipped with the appropriate materials, equipment, and facilities necessary to identify children with disabilities and to implement the child's individualized education program and meet the educational, physical, developmental, and learning needs of children within the area.(4) The service areas for intervention specialists will be located in the section of the building that houses children without disabilities of comparable age.(5) The service areas will provide a work environment that supports service providers and is conducive to children's learning consistent with rule 3301-35-05 of the Administrative Code. Instructional materials, equipment, and technology will be provided to support each child's progress toward meeting educational objectives.(6) Evaluation and instructional materials and equipment will be provided to enable the child with a disability to progress in the general curriculum or in the case of preschool, developmentally appropriate activities, and meet both individualized education program and performance objectives.(7) Children with disabilities will have the same access to textbooks, educational materials, and computer technology that is provided to children without disabilities.(8) Additional materials and/or technology will be provided to allow children with disabilities access to the materials used in the general curriculum.(9) Equipment that is utilized for children with disabilities will be adequately maintained and promptly repaired.(K) Waiver (1) If an educational agency exceeds the workload provisions in paragraph (I) of this rule an educational agency will file a waiver request with the department of education and workforce. An educational agency may be granted a waiver for individual service provider limits or for age-range per instructional period as referenced by this rule.(2) Requests will be submitted in writing to the department of education and workforce. The written request will include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Identification of the specific rule for which a waiver is being requested;(b) Specific period of time for which the waiver is requested; and(c) Rationale for the request.(L) Mandatory medication (1) General School district personnel are not authorized to direct parents to obtain a prescription for substances identified under schedules I, II, III, IV, or V in Section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act as amended and specified in the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, November 1990, 21 U.S.C. 812(c) for a child as a condition of attending school, receiving an evaluation under rule 3301-51-06 of the Administrative Code, or receiving services under this rule.
(2) Rule of construction Nothing in paragraph (L)(1) of this rule will be construed to prevent teachers and other school personnel consulting or sharing classroom-based observations with parents or guardians regarding a child's academic and functional performance, or behavior in the classroom or school, or regarding the need for evaluation for special education or related services under rules 3301-51-03 and 3301-51-06 of the Administrative Code.
Ohio Admin. Code 3301-51-09
Effective: 7/1/2025
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 7/1/2028
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3301.07, 3301.07(J), 3323.02, 3323.04, 3323.07
Rule Amplifies: 3323.02, 3323.04, 3323.07, 3323.11
Prior Effective Dates: 07/01/2002, 07/01/2008, 07/23/2010, 07/01/2014, 07/01/2023