Continuum of service delivery options

(a) Ensuring continuum availability Section 612(a)(5) (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Continuum of alternative placements The State shall ensure that a full continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services. Such continuum shall include instruction in regular classes, specialized classes, specialized schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions, and shall make provision for supplementary services (such as a resource room or itinerant instruction) to be provided in conjunction with regular class placement.. (b) Maintenance of specialized services and settings for students with sensory disabilities Section 612(a)(18) (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(18)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (E) Maintaining a continuum of placement options For purposes of subparagraph (A), a State’s closure of a specialized school serving children who are blind or a special school serving children who are deaf (or the consolidation or merger of such school with another school), shall be considered a reduction of the State’s financial support for special education and related services resulting in a failure to meet a condition on receipt of assistance under this part..