Special Education Newsletter from the Indiana Department of Education

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Special Education Newsletter

This monthly newsletter from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Office of Special Education (OSE) includes resources, guidance, and support for special education directors, educators, and administrators who provide essential services that Indiana’s students with disabilities need to learn and thrive.

Monitoring

Educator Stakeholder Group Meetings for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

OSE is holding two sessions of stakeholder meetings to analyze data and identify improvement strategies for Graduation Rate (Indicator 1), Dropout Rate (Indicator 2), and Transition IEPs (Indicator 13). Participants are encouraged to attend the session that works best for their schedules (they do not need to attend both sessions as the same information will be covered at each). No registration is required. Click the corresponding link to join either session on Tuesday, May 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET or Thursday, May 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET. Please contact the Office of Special Education Monitoring Team with any questions. 


Parent Stakeholder Group Meeting for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs

OSE is holding a parent stakeholder meeting to analyze data and identify improvement strategies for Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs on Monday, May 15, from 6 to 7 p.m. ET. No registration is required, just click the preceding link to join the session. Please contact the Office of Special Education Monitoring Team with any questions.

Fiscal

Special Education Excess Cost (SEEC) Fund Office Hours

OSE will hold office hours to support schools that are applying for SEEC funds. This is an opportunity for school personnel to ask questions regarding recently released new information and district-specific cases. No registration is required. Join any upcoming session by clicking the corresponding link below.


April Indiana School-based Medicaid Administrative Claiming (IndianaMAC) Financial Technical Assistance Session

One representative of each IndianaMAC-participating school corporation is required to attend at least one quarterly IndianaMAC Financial Technical Assistance session annually. School corporations that are due for this training should have received a notification from the statewide IndianaMAC contractor, Public Consulting Group (PCG). Other school corporation personnel who are interested to learn more about this school Medicaid claiming option are welcome to attend. There is no charge to participate but registration is required. Click this link to register for the session on Wednesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. ET. Email any questions to inmac@pcgus.com or the Office of Special Education.


Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Annual State Application

All states applying for funding under IDEA Part B are required to allow public review and comment on the application and proposed budget. The application packet, developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) includes a summary of assurances, certifications, and fund usage descriptions that the state will use to fulfill IDEA Part B requirements. Upon OSEP's approval of Indiana's Part B application, the state will receive a federal grant award to implement necessary services for students with disabilities for July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025. Indiana’s Part B application and its components have been posted on IDOE’s website for public review and will remain available until Tuesday, May 23. Contact the Office of Special Education with any questions.


Part B 611 and 619 Grant Application and Reporting Due Date Reminders

Templates for fiscal year (FY) 2023 Part B proportionate share reports were posted in IDOE’s OSE Moodle community under the Fiscal section in mid-January. Semi-annual Part B proportionate share reports for FY 2021, FY 2022, FY 2022 ARP, and FY 2023 Part B grants were due on or before Tuesday, January 31. If you haven’t submitted your monitoring reports, please email the reports to partbgrants@doe.in.gov by Friday, April 28. 

Final reports for FY 2021 Part B grants were due Sunday, January 15 (30 days after the final FY 2021 Part B grants reimbursement deadline). Email FY 2021 final reports to partbgrants@doe.in.gov.

Schools that have not yet submitted FY 2023 Part B 611 and 619 grant applications are reminded to submit those in the Grant Management System on or before Friday, April 28.

Please check the current Part B fiscal specialist assignments list in the Office of Special Education Moodle community, and contact your school’s assigned specialist with any questions regarding Part B grants.


FY 2022 American Rescue Plan (ARP) and IDEA Part B Funds

Grant funds provided under IDEA Part B Section 611 and 619 and ARP funds for FY 2022 must be encumbered by Saturday, September 30. Contact your special education fiscal specialist with questions regarding remaining balances. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance Special Education Part B reimbursement team to request reimbursement.


Application for FY 2024 Indirect Cost Rates

The window to submit applications for FY 2024 Indirect Cost Rates closes Monday, May 1. School corporations and charter schools that provided Form 9 financial information for FY 2022 are eligible to apply for a restricted and an unrestricted rate for FY 2024. New charter schools are eligible to apply but will be subject to the median rate. The following memo includes the application instructions. Contact icr@doe.in.gov with any questions.

Indiana IEP (IIEP)

IIEP March Release Notes

IIEP releases monthly updates impacting navigation and use of the IIEP system. View the March Release Notes here, in the Office of Special Education Moodle community, as well as in IIEP. Updates to accommodations, IEP creation, and reevaluation referrals are outlined. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions regarding these changes.

Technology and Materials for Students with Disabilities

PATINS Project Opportunities and Resources for Indiana Educators

The PATINS Project offers opportunities and resources, including Accessible Education Materials, for educators across the state. A list can be found here. Contact the PATINS Project or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

Special Educator Licensure, Recruitment, and Recognition

Aspiring Statewide Special Education Teacher (ASSET) Application Now Open

ASSET is an approved alternative licensure Transition to Teaching program through IDOE and the Indiana State Board of Education. ASSET is offered through the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) for currently-licensed Indiana educators to add a special education teaching credential. Successful completion of the ASSET program coupled with passing the appropriate licensing exams enables educators to add either the Mild or/and Intense Interventions endorsement to their existing license. Access the ASSET program application here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education or ICASE with any questions.


Apply for Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute (ASELI) Cohort #4 

ASELI is a one-year leadership development program designed to improve outcomes for all students by preparing a diverse group of educators for leadership roles in special education. Aspiring leaders in special education (teachers, department chairs, school psychologists, counselors, principals, etc.), especially those who are traditionally underrepresented in special education leadership, and who do not currently have a Director of Special Education license should apply. Applicants should have a commitment to a career in special education leadership and value equity, excellence, and success for our diverse student populations. Applications for the next ASELI cohort are due Sunday, May 7. Click here to apply online. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education or ICASE with any questions.


Learn More About the Next Phase of the Nimble Supply and Demand Marketplace

This month, Indiana’s 55 educator preparation programs began to engage future educators in creating candidate profiles that will be accessible to all schools that opted into the full applicant tracking system (ATS). Nimble and IDOE are offering additional opportunities to learn more about the supply and demand marketplace, ATS, and additional features available to schools that have fully opted in.

  • Nimble Overview of IDOE/Nimble Partnership: Wednesday, April 26, at 9:30 a.m. ET
  • Nimble Advanced: Thursday, April 27, at 9:30 a.m. ET

Register for these opportunities here. Districts ready to opt-in to the full ATS can complete this Jotform. For more information, contact Rebecca Estes


Register Now to Attend Indiana’s Educator Pipeline Collaboratives

Indiana’s Education Pipeline Collaboratives are interactive events that bring together PK-12 and higher education stakeholders for presentations and discussions focused on expanding and diversifying the PK-12 educator pipeline through Grow Your Own Programs and Registered Teacher Apprenticeships. Register now for one of three events taking place this May. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.


Nominations Open for Distinguished Leaders Recognition

IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is looking for confidential recommendations of leaders representing the very best educators in Indiana. These emerging leaders must have between five and 15 years of experience, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and positively impact school culture and student achievement. Superintendents and principals may submit recommendations here. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, May 26. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.

Technical Assistance and Professional Development

Office Hours with IDOE and IN*SOURCE

IDOE partners with IN*SOURCE to present free monthly webinars on special education topics. Office Hours are offered from noon to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. ET. Use this link to join any session. For more information and upcoming topics, call 800.332.4433 or email insource@insource.org.


Call for Proposals for Elevating Education - Improving Outcomes for All

IDOE is collaborating with the IEP Technical Assistance (TA) Center to provide a statewide conference for all Indiana educators. IDOE is seeking educators to showcase their knowledge and success in presenting at Elevating Education 2023: Improving Outcomes for All on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center. Submit proposals via this form by Thursday, April 27. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.


Office of Student Support and Accessibility Technical Assistance Office Hours

IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility will host Technical Assistance Office Hours from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET on the first Thursday of each month. The first 20 minutes will cover a relevant topic of choice and the remaining time will be available for questions and discussion. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

Updates from the U.S. Department of Education

From the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): Fast Facts on Traumatic Brain Injury for Students Served Under IDEA

OSEP recently provided information about students with traumatic brain injury served under IDEA. For more information, see the Fast Facts here.

Additional Resources Opportunities

From Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM): Modules for Toddlers Now Available

A Prompting for Toddlers module, developed by AFIRM for Toddlers in collaboration with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), is now available. Prompting procedures are the verbal, gestural, and/or physical assistance given to learners to help them in acquiring or engaging in a targeted behavior or skill. Specifically designed for early interventionists working with families and early care providers, AFIRM for Toddlers currently has four other modules: Naturalistic Intervention for Toddlers in the Childcare Settings; Parent-Implemented Intervention; Reinforcement for Toddlers; and Visual Supports for Toddlers. Users must sign up to access the free modules. Contact AFIRM with additional questions.


From the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO): Accommodations Brief

NCEO has released the Suggestions for Involving Students in Selecting and Implementing Accommodations brief to review suggested strategies for involving students in advocating for their daily accommodations.


From the Indiana Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE): Course Update

For information about CTE courses being phased out after the 2023-2024 school year (SY), see the High School CTE Course Titles and Descriptions (this content is all included in the more comprehensive IDOE Course Titles and Descriptions document). Only the courses listed in Part II of the document are being phased out after the 2023-2024 SY. Preparing for College and Careers (PCC) is part of Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS), as well as other courses that are not part of a specific NLPS concentrator sequence. PCC will still receive credit as an elective on any diploma and we would encourage anyone offering it in grade eight to continue doing so. To find PCC in the document linked above, go to the Table of Contents on Page 3. From the Table of Contents, click on "Career and Technical Education and Work-Based Learning," then scroll down to Preparing for College and Careers. Contact the Office of CTE with any questions.


From the College Football Playoff Foundation: Go Teach Grow Your Own Kits for Future Educators

Are you a high school that supports future teachers through a Grow Your Own Program? The College Football Playoff Foundation would like to gift your students Go Teach Grow Your Own Kits as a thank you for pursuing a career in the world of education. Visit Go Teach College Football Playoff Foundation to request kits for your future educators. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.


From the Office of Student Pathways: Alternate Diploma Seals

The Indiana Alternate Diploma is a state-recognized credential available to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in alternate assessments and satisfy graduation requirements. Eligible students in cohort 2023 may earn the Indiana Alternate Diploma beginning this spring. Schools should provide the number of students in need of the Alternate Diploma Seal for graduation in 2023 using this form. Contact DOEGradPathways@doe.in.gov with any questions.


Upcoming Dates

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Wednesday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. ET

Nimble Overview of IDOE/Nimble Partnership webinar

Wednesday, April 26, 11 a.m. ET

April IndianaMAC Financial Technical Assistance Session

Thursday, April 27

Elevating Education 2023: Improving Outcomes for All proposals due

Thursday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. ET

Nimble Advanced webinar

Friday, April 28

Part B 611 and 619 Grant Applications and Reporting Due

Monday, May 1

Applications due for FY 2024 Indirect Cost Rates

Thursday, May 4, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET

OSSA Technical Assistance office hours

Sunday, May 7

ASELI Cohort #4 applications due

Tuesday, May 9, 10 to 11 a.m. ET

Educator Stakeholder Group Meeting for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs

Thursday, May 11, 2 to 3 p.m. ET

Educator Stakeholder Group Meeting for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs

Monday, May 15, 6 to 7 p.m. ET

Parent Stakeholder Group Meeting for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs

Wednesday, May 17, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

Tuesday, May 23

Public review for Indiana's IDEA Part B Annual State Application closes

Friday, May 26

Distinguished leaders nominations due

Wednesday, May 31, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

Wednesday, June 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

Wednesday, June 28, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

Wednesday, July 12, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

Wednesday, July 26, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET

SEEC office hours

 

Additional Resources