State adopts new special education rules for visual impairment services

The State Board of Education and Early Development has adopted new regulations governing special education services for students with visual impairments, effective May 28.

The regulations update supervision requirements, terminology, and service standards under Title 4 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The changes affect how school districts provide specialized instruction and support to visually impaired students statewide.

The regulations were filed with the Department of Law on April 28 under file number 2024200453. They will be published in the July 2026 Alaska Administrative Journal, Register 258.

The new rules modify sections 4 AAC 52.130 and 4 AAC 52.250 through 4 AAC 52.252, which govern special education programs and services. School districts must comply with the updated standards once they take effect.

The Lieutenant Governor's office filed the regulations on behalf of the state board. The full text is available through the Alaska Online Public Notices system.

For questions about the regulations, contact the Department of Education and Early Development. The complete filing document is posted at notice.alaska.gov under project number 2024200453.