Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Proportionate Share Monitoring Reports Now Due
The IDEA Part B proportionate share monitoring reports format for FY 2024 has changed. Each local educational agency (LEA) must maintain records and provide OSE with the following information related to parentally placed private school children:
- The number of children evaluated;
- The number of children determined to be children with disabilities; and
- The number of children served.
Please note: FY 2024 Part B proportionate share monitoring reports were due on Thursday, February 15. If your LEA has a proportionate share requirement and has not submitted the required monitoring reports due for FY 2024 and all other open Part B grant periods, please complete and send to partbgrants@doe.in.gov.
Reminder: Obtain Informed Consent Before Billing Medicaid for Covered Mandated School-Based Services
Public school corporations, charter schools, and state schools must give prior notice and obtain consent from students’ parents/guardians (or from the emancipated student who is aged 18 years or older and has no appointed legal guardian) before disclosing student records for purposes of Medicaid billing. Please note that, as of Friday, February 23, the IDEA Part B “Medicaid Consent” regulation is still in effect. Please see the information below and the two different notice and consent requirements applicable for billing purposes, based on whether the services were required under IDEA Part B or the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
IDEA Part B notice and consent requirements apply for IEP, Service Plan (SP), and Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) services:
- Although a currently pending federal rule change may revise Medicaid notice and consent requirements under IDEA Part B, at present 34 CFR 300.154(d) still requires one-time prior notice, written consent, and annual notice thereafter to disclose student records for purposes of billing services required per a student’s IEP, SP, or BIP. A prior Medicaid notice and consent form is available in multiple languages in the IIEP system, and annual notice language is included under item four on page four of Indiana’s sample Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) notice and consent apply for billing other types of medically necessary services:
- As of December 22, 2023, 34 CFR 99.30 requires prior notice and consent to disclose students records for purposes of billing services in an IHP or other plan developed under the Rehabilitation Act. FERPA consent must: (1) specify the records to be disclosed; (2) state the purpose for disclosure; (3) identify the entity to receive the disclosed records, and (4) be signed by the parent/guardian or emancipated student who is age 18 years or older.
This video provides more information about Medicaid consent.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Part B Data Verifications
The Part B data verification process for the FY 2025 federal Part B grants will begin in March. LEAs will receive an email with information and instructions for verifying the previously reported data that will be used to determine FY 2025 Part B grant allocations and proportionate share requirements per the federal funding formula. Please note that any parentally-placed nonpublic students identified but not receiving services must also be reported at this time. LEAs will have the opportunity to provide justification for any changes they want to request before the reported counts are locked for grant calculation purposes. Once completed by the LEA, Part B Data Verification forms must be submitted to the Grant Management System. Please look for an email in March with further details and instructions.
Aspiring Statewide Special Education Teacher (ASSET) Cohort 3 Applications Now Open
ASSET is an approved alternative licensure program for educators who hold an initial license under the Transition to Teaching umbrella. Teachers can add the Mild or Intense Interventions endorsement to their current license by completing the ASSET program successfully and passing the relevant licensing tests. Applications are now available for Cohort 3 of this program, and additional information can be found on the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) ASSET webpage. Contact Dr. Jay Arthur with additional questions.
Nominations Open for Distinguished Educators Recognition
IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is looking for confidential nominations of teachers who represent 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 24. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
Strategies to Support Students with Disabilities
Join OSE for two 30-minute webinars about evidence-based strategies to support students with disabilities. These sessions provide a focus on strategies for educators to support elementary and secondary students in the areas of math, reading, and behavior. In addition to the strategies, participants will also be provided with resources and practical tips to help with implementation.
Special Education Technical Assistance (TA) Stakeholder Convening
IDOE seeks stakeholder input regarding the state's process for identifying and providing targeted TA and professional development. Stakeholders may complete this form to submit their interest in participating in two, one and a half hour-long virtual meetings in March and April. Special educators, general education teachers, administrators, parents, and other interested stakeholders are invited to apply by Monday, February 26. Daytime and evening sessions will be available to accommodate schedules. IDOE staff will contact applicants directly. Contact IDOE's Office of Special Education TA team with any questions.
Indiana IEP (IIEP) Virtual Open Office Hours
The statewide IIEP contractor, Public Consulting Group (PCG), hosts virtual office hours on the third Wednesday of each month. Session topics may include IIEP system updates, potential issues, and frequently asked questions. Registration is required and sessions are recorded for those unable to attend. Contact Xelpha Profancik with any questions.
Click the links below to register for upcoming sessions:
February Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Webinar
Join OSERS on Wednesday, February 28, at 1 p.m. ET, for "Beyond the IDEA and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Requirements: Knowing what to expect when it matters." This webinar is for general and special education teachers, related service providers, administrators, and vocational rehabilitation specialists who want to learn how to maximize the experiences and opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities, and their families. Register here.
New Guidance on Meaningful Access and Engagement in Education
On Monday, January 22, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs and Office of Educational Technology released a Dear Colleague letter and guidance in support of children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education.
From IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning: Universal Design of Inclusive K-12 Computer Science (CS) Instruction Two-Day Professional Development Workshop
In this professional development workshop, educators will learn various pedagogies and practices to equip themselves with tools to help bring CS education to all students. This workshop, facilitated by Dr. Maya Israel and Dr. Joanne Barrett from the University of Florida College of Education. Contact sarah@nextech.org with questions.
Upcoming Dates |
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Wednesday, February 28, at 1 p.m. ET
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Beyond the IDEA and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Requirements: Knowing what to expect when it matters
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Wednesday, March 6, at 4 p.m. ET
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Elementary Strategies
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Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7
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Universal Design of Inclusive K-12 Computer Science (CS) Instruction Two-Day Professional Development Workshop
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Wednesday, March 27, at 4 p.m. ET
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Secondary Strategies
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Friday, May 24
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Distinguished Educators Recognition nominations due
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