Part B Reimbursement Request Updates
IDOE has implemented new fiscal monitoring for Part B funds. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within one month of expenses, on the first or 15th of the month. Corporations, cooperatives, and interlocals are no longer permitted to keep reimbursement requests open until the end of the award period. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
Paraprofessional Training Grant Application & Office Hours
IDOE is offering a grant opportunity to school corporations, charter schools, and state schools to guarantee that paraprofessionals, as defined in 511 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 7-32-69, receive training to assist students with disabilities. The grant application closes Friday, May 3. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
Special Education Excess Cost (SEEC) Funding Updates
With the end of the fiscal year (FY) coming, IDOE will be unable to process any new requests for SEEC funding contracts from Friday, March 29, through Sunday, June 30, the start of the 2025 fiscal year. LEAs can submit applications for SEEC funding during this period, but contracts for any funds that are granted will not be processed until after Monday, July 1. Local educational agencies (LEAs) should continue paying all vendor invoices. Following contract execution, LEAs will receive notification and may submit invoices for payment. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the authorized contract once all supporting documentation is provided, demonstrating that the LEA’s share of cost has been paid. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
Auditory Verbal Accelerated (AVA) Funding for FY 2025
Applications for FY 2025 AVA funding are now being accepted for review and approval. Applications for FY 2025 funds can be found in the Office of Special Education Moodle community. Funding guidance is detailed in this memo. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education’s AVA team with any additional questions.
RoboKind Grant Opportunity: 2024-2025 School Year
IDOE is offering the RoboKind Grant opportunity for selected corporations or schools to purchase robotic technology and provide professional development endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) to improve the social and behavioral skills for students with autism. Successful applicants will receive the curriculum, humanoid robot, applicable training, and infrastructure support at no charge to the district. Information, applications, and the budget form can be found here. Please email the signed application and budget to robokind@doe.in.gov. This grant application closes Monday, June 3. Contact robokind@doe.in.gov with any questions.
Required Part B Proportionate Share Office Hours
IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B fiscal team will be hosting mandatory office hours to assist LEAs that have proportionate share balances or are planning to complete a Proportionate Share Release (Waiver). The FY 2023 611 and 619 grants will close on Monday, September 30. This forum will answer questions and provide support for LEAs to expend funds for students with disabilities parentally placed in a non-public or homeschool setting.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
Early Childhood Special Education Collaborative Kickoff
If you submitted interest in the Early Childhood Special Education Collaborative, you should have received an email from the Office of Special Education inviting you to choose times for a kickoff meeting. If you did not receive this information, you may need to correct your contact information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
Raise the Bar Family Engagement Webinar Series
The U.S Department of Education’s (ED’s) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a family engagement webinar series with evidence based resources on how family engagement improves student learning and success. The six part series includes topics on student success, student engagement and attendance, supporting immigrant and multilingual families, student mental health and well-being, supporting kindergarten readiness and early school success, and supporting college and career pathway success. Learn more about the Raise the Bar: Lead the World initiative here.
Updates to Dispute Resolution Request Forms
Changes have been made to the sample request forms when submitting a complaint, mediation, or due process hearing request by mail, fax, or hand-delivery. The new forms designate required information with an asterisk, pursuant to 511 IAC 7-45. Individuals have the option to download the document as a blank PDF form for the requestor to fill out, including a handwritten signature, and submit, or an individual can fill out the blank form electronically, save, and download to print. Note: a request form filled out electronically, through means other than I-CHAMP, will not be considered submitted to IDOE until received with a handwritten signature, by mail, fax, or hand-delivery. The changes do not affect individuals filing a request electronically through I-CHAMP. The sample request forms are available as a link on each formal dispute resolution webpage under “How can I file/request?” Links to each formal dispute resolution webpage can be found on IDOE’s Dispute Resolution webpage in the Formal Dispute Resolution section.
Speak Up Leadership Survey
The Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) has partnered with Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up Leadership Survey to gather data on district inclusive technology practices. Aligned with the new National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), this survey is designed for district and school administrators, as well as kindergarten through grade 12 technology leaders. The survey gauges readiness to close the digital access, use, and design divides including considerations for students with disabilities with implementation of assistive technology and accessible educational material. Districts are provided the results, and a national report will be published. District administrators and school building leaders may complete the 14 minute Speak Up Survey through Friday, May 31, to receive a report card on the overall readiness to tackle digital equity in your district. There is no charge for any school or district to use the Speak Up Survey or receive the Digital Equity Readiness report card. Visit Project Tomorrow’s website for more information.
Assistive Technology (AT) Guidance Myths and Facts Graphics
The myths/facts graphics provided by The Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) highlight the content from the AT Guidance released in January 2024 and are intended to provide administrators, educators, and families tools to help avoid misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities. Learn more about additional federal policy to practice resources.
Indiana IIEP (IIEP) Virtual Office Hours
The statewide IEP contractor, Public Consulting Group (PCG), hosts a monthly office hours webinar on the third Wednesday of each month. Session topic examples include IIEP system updates, potential issues, and frequently asked questions. Registration is required, and sessions are recorded for those unable to attend. Access the sessions here:
Contact PCG’s Xelpha Profancik with any questions.
Governor’s Award Nominations Open
In partnership with Indiana Black Expo (IBE) and Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA), the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) will host the Governor’s Reception on Tuesday, June 25. The celebration acknowledges the outstanding achievement of African Americans throughout the State of Indiana for their exceptional efforts across diverse fields, including education, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. These awards recognize some of the community’s unsung heroes who work tirelessly for the advancement of all Hoosiers. The Governor’s Achievement in Education Award recognizes an educator who has used innovative strategies to promote growth and achievement for their students. This person creates new opportunities to engage and uplift their students. To nominate an educator here by Wednesday, May 17, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For more information click here.
Reminder 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 any questions.
Webinar Recording - Understanding Indiana’s New Early Literacy Endorsement and Educator Supports
Today, in Indiana, one in five third grade students cannot read. This is a crisis that has persisted for over a decade, however it is one that we can solve, together. Thank you to those who were able to join the Thursday, April 18, webinar to learn more about the requirements for Indiana’s new early literacy endorsement. We wanted to make sure the information shared is available for everyone, so copies of both the presentation, as well as the recording can be accessed at your convenience. These links are also available on IDOE’s Literacy Development webpage. Thank you to the teachers who have already registered for the Keys to Literacy course, including the over 9,300 teachers who have registered over the past four days alone! Please continue to contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
LVIS360 Update
Educators applying for initial licenses or renewals in the next few months should log in to the updated LVIS360 system soon to link their LVIS legacy licensure data to their LVIS360 account. The new system requires users to create an Access Indiana account prior to accessing LVIS360. The Office of Educator Licensing recommends getting acquainted with the new login process and linking your new LVIS360 login to your legacy account now before the busy season for licensing starts in May. Administrators, please encourage your teachers to log in soon. Access the user portal here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Licensing with any questions.
OSEP Autism Fast Facts
OSEP released a new OSEP Fast Facts: Children Identified with Autism, which examines data on children whose primary disability is autism. Highlights:
- In school year (SY) 2022-2023, the percentage of students with disabilities identified with autism was 12.81%. States report a range from 5.76% to 17.28% of students with disabilities identified with autism.
- In SY 2021-22, Students with disabilities identified with autism were less likely to be subject to a disciplinary removal than all students with disabilities.
- In SY 2022-23, states/entities and LEAs were more likely to identify males with autism than females when compared to all students with disabilities.
- In SY 2021-22, students ages 14 to 21 identified with autism, exiting school were less likely to drop out and more likely to receive a certificate than all students with disabilities.
- In SY 2022-23, states/entities and LEAs are more likely to identify Asian students with autism when compared to all students with disabilities.
- In SY 2022-23, students identified with autism were less likely to be served inside the regular class 80% or more of the day than all students with disabilities.
OSEP Fast Facts is an ongoing effort to display data from the 12 data collections authorized under IDEA Section 618 into graphic, visual representations with the intent to present 618 data quickly and clearly. Visit OSEP’s Fast Facts page for more information.
Grant for Military-Dependent Children with Severe Disabilities
April is the Month of the Military Child. OSEP has been actively engaging with partners across the federal government to identify opportunities to support military-connected students with disabilities. With so much great work underway, OSEP would like to highlight the Department of Defense (DoD) Education Activity DoD Impact Aid for Children with Severe Disabilities. This $20 million program provides crucial financial assistance to LEAs that have previously spent money on military-dependent children with severe disabilities, aiming to reimburse LEAs for expenses related to children with severe disabilities who are military dependents. Applications for this program close on Monday, July 15. For more information, contact dodea.impactaid@dodea.edu.
FROM THE INDIANA OFFICE OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS: High-Quality Curricular Materials Review Committee Applications Now Open
IDOE seeks qualified educators and other stakeholders to serve on high-quality curricular materials review committees for Early Learning Integrated (infant/toddler, preschool, and mixed age groups) and Early Learning Supplemental (student wellbeing, mathematics, science, literacy, handwriting, and family engagement). View this flier and memo for more information and apply using the educator Jotform or community member Jotform. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (IDOH): Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education’s Connections Newsletter, Vol 9, Issue 3
IDOH’s Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education has released the latest issue of Connections Newsletter. This issue contains information on unilateral hearing loss. The Center is a statewide resource with a multidisciplinary team available for technical assistance to deaf and hard of hearing children, families, and professionals from Part C to Part B transition to school exit. A link to the Children’s Home Inventory of Listening Difficulties (CHILD) is included. Contact cdhhe@health.in.gov for further information.
FROM IN*SOURCE: Training on Proactive Best Practices for Positive Parent Relationships
An important part of working with families is developing trust. IN*Source is providing a free virtual session where participants will consider recommendations to decrease disputes, increase collaboration, build trust, reduce conflict with parents, and increase the instructional impact to benefit student growth. Click here to join the session on Friday, April 26, at noon ET.
FROM PATINS PROJECT: Upcoming Free Trainings in May 2024
Discover the transformative potential of accessible education through PATINS Project trainings. Dive into the diverse calendar of workshops crafted to empower educators with essential tools and strategies for supporting all learners. Whether you aim to amplify your grasp of assistive technology or champion accessibility in education, our expert-led sessions deliver practical insights and actionable solutions. Take the first step towards fostering environments where every student can flourish. Explore the calendar now for upcoming trainings and contact the PATINS Project with any questions.
Upcoming Dates |
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Tuesday, April 23
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IDEA Part B State Application Feedback Due
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Thursday, April 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET
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Required Part B Proportionate Share Office Hours
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Friday, April 26, noon ET
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Proactive Best Practices for Positive Parent Relationships
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Friday, May 3
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Paraprofessional Training Grant Application Deadline
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Wednesday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to noon, ET
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PCG Office Hours
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Wednesday, May 17, at 11:59 p.m.
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Governor's Award Nomination Deadline
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Friday, May 24
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Distinguished Educators Recognition nominations due
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Monday, June 3
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RoboKind Grant Application Deadline
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Friday, July 5
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Indiana Teacher of the Year application deadline
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Monday, July 15
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Grant for Military-Dependent Children with Severe Disabilities Application Deadline
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