Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Special Education Grant Assurances Due Monday, July 1
FY 2025 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Grant Assurances templates and instructions for using the grant management system are now available in IDOE's Office of Special Education Community in Moodle under Part B Grants for Special Education. On or before Monday, July 1, accurate, completed assurances must be submitted in the grant management system in order to ensure that public school corporations, charter schools, and state schools received the reimbursement date for the FY 2025 Part B grant period. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
FY 2023 Part B Grant Proportionate Share Release Request Forms Available Monday, July 1
The FY 2023 Part B 611 & 619 grant proportionate share release (waiver) request forms will be available in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community on Monday, July 1. Completed requests with supporting documentation must be submitted to IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B Grants by Friday, August 30. Following the acceptance of the release form, a Part B grant budget modification request must be completed by Monday, September 16, to transfer funds across budget scopes. Download the release request form and instructions from the Office of Special Education Moodle Community. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B Grants with questions.
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) for Part B Funding Due Monday, July 15
The window to submit Year 3 Compliance/Eligibility and Year 4 Eligibility Only for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B FY 2025 funding is now open. MOE workbooks are due within IDOE’s grant management system by Monday, July 15. If the local educational agency’s (LEA’s) prior MOE has not been approved, contact the assigned fiscal specialist to ensure this deadline is met. To release the FY 2025 IDEA Part B grants, the MOE workbooks must be submitted to the grant management system.
FY 2024 12-1-22 child counts have been placed in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community (i.e., Fiscal → Part B Grants for Special Education → FY24 Grant Information → Maintenance of Effort -Year 3). LEAs should contact their fiscal specialist with questions.
2025 General Education Provision Act (GEPA) Forms Due Wednesday, July 31
To comply with Section 427 of GEPA, LEAs requesting IDEA Part B funds must submit an approved GEPA statement of compliance by Wednesday, July 31. View IDOE’s training video within the Office of Special Education Moodle Community for additional support. All questions must be answered on the GEPA form, once completed upload the form to the grant management system. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
Encumber All FY 2023 Part B Grant Funds by Monday, September 30
To ensure sufficient time for budget modification review and approval, submit all FY 2023 IDEA Part B grant budget modification requests no later than Monday, September 16. All FY 2023 Part B funds must be encumbered by Monday, September 30. All FY 2023 Part B grant reimbursement requests must be submitted to Part B Grants Reimbursements by Friday, December 13. The due date for the next submission of Part B monitoring reports is Wednesday, July 31. All Part B grant forms and related guidance are available under Part B Grants for Special Education in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community’s Fiscal section. Please contact the Office of Special Education’s Part B Grants with any questions.
Coming Soon: School Medicaid Changes
Indiana Medicaid is making claims and provider enrollment systems changes which will affect school corporations that participate in Medicaid claiming for covered medically necessary services that public schools provide pursuant to eligible students’ individualized programs and plans under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To comply with the federal requirement to include the Indiana Health Coverage Program (IHCP)-enrolled Ordering, Prescribing, or Referring (OPR) provider’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) on claims, school corporation Medicaid providers were previously instructed to include the school corporation’s NPI on claims for services that were ordered or referred by a qualified practitioner who is employed by the school corporation (see Chapter 2, Section 2.8.1.(b) of the Medicaid Billing Tool Kit, available on IDOE's School Medicaid webpage).
Please Note: When these upcoming Medicaid system changes are implemented, school corporation Medicaid providers will be required to enter the NPI of the individual school based practitioner, and not the school corporation’s NPI, on claims for services ordered or referred by a qualified practitioner who is employed by the school corporation. As stated in Indiana Health Coverage Programs’ recent bulletin, this will mean that school based practitioners who write referrals for Medicaid services will need to (1) obtain an NPI, and (2) complete IHCP’s “OPR Only” provider enrollment.
IHCP plans to offer a targeted technical assistance webinar for school corporation Medicaid providers and their employees who write Medicaid medical service referrals. Please check for further details in IDOE’s Office of Special Education Moodle Community announcements and the Secretary of Education’s weekly newsletters. Contact IHCP Customer Assistance at 800-457-4584 with questions.
Early Learning Inclusions Survey
In partnership with IDOE and the Family Social Services Administration (FSSA), Purdue University is conducting a survey aimed at better understanding inclusion and dismissal practices in Indiana early learning programs. This voluntary survey is intended for early learning program administrators and has an incentive for submission. Please read the full details here and contact the principal investigator, Megan Purcell, with any questions.
Evaluation Timelines Data Collection Reminder
The 2023-2024 Special Education Evaluation (EV) data collection will be finalized on Friday, July 12, through certification in Data Exchange (DEX). This data will be used to conduct the required annual monitoring of the timeliness of evaluations and transitions from First Steps (known as Indicator 11 and Indicator 12). All special education directors or administrators are strongly encouraged to review the EV data roster published in IDOE’s DEX Validation Portal, which includes information on whether each evaluation met the evaluation timelines before the superintendent or designee signs off. Each LEA is federally required to complete 100% of its evaluations in a timely manner to avoid findings of noncompliance. View this video to assist with this data reporting requirement. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
Indiana State Board of Education Special Education Rules Update
Title 511 Article 7 Rules 32-50 have been revised. A summary of the revisions are below:
The Final Rule has been modified from the State Board of Education’s (“Board”) proposed rule, and adds 511 IAC 4-1.5-9 concerning instruction for students with injuries and temporary or chronic illnesses, adds 511 IAC 4-1.5-10 concerning medication administration, adds 511 IAC 6-7.1-12 concerning authority to award locally developed certificates, amends 511 IAC 7-32-32 to update the definition of "educational surrogate parent", amends 511 IAC 7-32-40 to update the definition of "free appropriate public education", amends 511 IAC 7-32-52 to update the definition of "institution of higher education", adds 511 IAC 7-32-103.5 to add a definition for "virtual instruction", amends 511 IAC 7-34-1 concerning special education and related services for parentally-placed students in nonpublic schools, amends 511 IAC 7-34-3 concerning educational evaluations for parentally-placed nonpublic school students attending nonpublic schools outside the school corporation of legal settlement, amends 511 IAC 7-34-4 concerning consultation with nonpublic school representatives and representatives of parents, amends 511 IAC 7-34-5 concerning decisions regarding services provided by the public agency and service plans, amends 511 IAC 7-34-6 concerning due process hearings and complaints, amends 511 IAC 7-34-7 concerning requirements pertaining to Part B funds, amends 511 IAC 7-35-2 concerning supports for public agency personnel, amends 511 IAC 7-36-10 concerning state and local assessments, amends 511 IAC 7-40-2 concerning comprehensive and coordinated early intervening services, amends 511 IAC 7-40-3 concerning educational evaluations in general, amends 511 IAC 7-40-5 concerning conducting an initial educational evaluation, amends 511 IAC 7-40-7 concerning independent educational evaluations, amends 511 IAC 7-40-8 concerning reevaluations, adds 511 IAC 7-40-9 concerning notice by electronic mail, amends 511 IAC 7-41-9 concerning multiple disabilities, amends 511 IAC 7-42-3 concerning case conference committee participants, amends 511 IAC 7-42-6 concerning developing an individualized education program, amends 511 IAC 7-42-8 concerning implementation and termination of individualized education programs, amends 511 IAC 7- 42-9 concerning review and revision of the individualized education program, amends 511 IAC 7-42-10 concerning least restrictive environments and delivery of special education and related services, amends 511 IAC 7-42-1 concerning instruction for a student at the student's home or alternative setting, adds 511 IAC 7-42-16 concerning notice by electronic mail, amends 511 IAC 7-43-1 concerning related services, amends 511 IAC 7-43- 4 concerning the transition individualized education program, amends 511 IAC 7-43-7 concerning summary of performance, amends 511 IAC 7-44-1 concerning removals and services in general, amends 511 IAC 7-44-2 concerning disciplinary change of placement, amends 511 IAC 7-44-3 concerning removals of more than 10 cumulative days that do not result in a change of placement, amends 511 IAC 7-44-4 concerning removals of more than 10 consecutive days or 10 cumulative days that results in a change of placement, amends 511 IAC 7- 44-6 concerning interim alternative educational settings; weapons, drugs, and serious bodily injury, adds 511 IAC 7-45-0.5 concerning dispute resolution, amends 511 IAC 7-45-2 concerning mediation, amends 511 IAC 7-45-3 concerning due process hearing requests, amends 511 IAC 7-45-4 concerning sufficiency of the request for a due process hearing, amends 511 IAC 7-45-5 concerning responding to the request for a due process hearing, amends 511 IAC 7-45-6 concerning the resolution process, adds 511 IAC 7-45-6.5 concerning prehearing procedures, amends 511 IAC 7-45-7 concerning conducting a hearing, amends 511 IAC 7-45-8 concerning independent hearing officer qualifications, amends 511 IAC 7-45-10 concerning expedited due process hearings and petition for judicial review, amends 511 IAC 7-46-1 concerning federal child count procedures, amends 511 IAC 7-47-1 concerning application from a school corporation of legal settlement or charter school, amends 511 IAC 7-47-2 concerning appeal from denial of application, amends 511 IAC 7-49-2 to add a definition of "local school corporation", amends 511 IAC 7-49-4 concerning the choice special education plan, amends 511 IAC 7- 49-10 concerning proportionate share, adds 511 IAC 7-50 concerning the Indiana education scholarship account education service plan, and repeals 511 IAC 7-32-67, 511 IAC 7-32-103, and 511 IAC 7-42-12.
View the revised Article 7 here.
Call for Proposals - Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All Conference
IDOE and the IEP Technical Assistance (TA) Center are seeking educators to showcase their knowledge and success by presenting at Elevating Education 2024: Improving Outcomes for All on Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center. Submit proposals here by Friday, June 28. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
Understanding Discipline Resources
Visit IDOE’s Special Education webpage for educator resources aimed at increasing understanding about discipline procedures for students with disabilities. These new resources include information regarding manifestation determinations, removal practices, and templates for case conference committees to use during the manifestation determination process. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
The Basics of Accommodations and Modifications Resources
The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) has published Brief 33, which clarifies accommodations and modifications for instruction and assessment, as well as differentiating alternate or modified curriculum from modifications used for instruction and assessment. NCEO has also provided an Accommodations Toolkit that provides summaries of academic research literature on specific accommodations for students with disabilities. Contact NCEO with additional questions over these resources.
Student and Teacher Perceptions of Accommodations
NCEO has published two briefs that summarize the research findings on student and teacher perceptions. Many students with disabilities use accommodations during instruction and when taking assessments. It is important to consider student perceptions about what works as well as their preferences when making accessibility and accommodations decisions. Students are often the best sources of information about their strengths and needs. Similarly, it is vital to better understand teachers’ perspectives regarding various accommodations and accessibility features. What have they found to work well? What is challenging about selecting or implementing various accommodations?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Assistive Technology Myths/Facts
The Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) shared a new assistive technology (AT) FAQ resource to help clarify context and implementation practices for AT. Contact CITES with any questions.
LEArn and LEAd Professional Development for IEP Meeting Facilitation
Julie Weatherly, Esq. and Dr. Tim Havard will present LEArn and LEAd Fall 2024, a full-day training available in Indianapolis on Thursday, August 29, and Merrillville on Friday, August 30. This training will provide suggested tools and strategies to assist LEA Representatives and Special Education Teachers in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities to facilitate IEP Meetings and promote legal compliance. Learn more and register here. Contact Marcee Wilburn with any questions.
Nominate an Educator for Teacher of the Year
The Indiana Teacher of the Year Program inspires, rejuvenates, and celebrates the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. Local schools are encouraged to participate in an annual selection process and local Teacher(s) of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process by Friday, July 5. Find more information on the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process here. Contact intoy@doe.in.gov with any questions.
Early Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Verification
Verified programs that can be used to support the 80 hours of professional development needed for the early literacy endorsement can be found on this document. Training providers (including school districts) may request approval to certify which requirements are met through participation in the training by submitting this form with supporting evidence. The list of approved programs will be updated regularly. Review this FAQ or contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any questions.
Flexible Keys to Literacy Professional Development Options Coming Soon
Educators who hold an Indiana professional educator license and are interested in asynchronous training offered through Keys to Literacy should review this memo. Registration will open in July for the new, flexible options. Registration for upcoming fall and spring live training options can be found here. Contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any questions.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) June 2024 Dose of Data
In school year (SY) 2022-2023, 67.08% of children with disabilities who received special education and related services, aged five (in kindergarten) through 21, were educated inside the regular classroom 80% or more of the day. These percentages varied by racial/ethnic group from 57.95% for Asian children with disabilities to 70.29% for white children with disabilities. Read more in the June 2024 Dose of Data.
ISPROUT/Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
As part of Indiana’s new system to measure and support kindergarten readiness, Indiana’s KRA will be available to all public, charter, and non-public schools as an opt-in assessment for fall 2024 kindergarten students. The opt-in window is now open through Monday, July 15. ISPROUT will continue to be required for children in special education for ages three through five, but will also be available as an opt-in assessment for fall 2024 as well. The opt-in window for this opportunity is also now open. Previously recorded informational sessions are available. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education’s Connections Newsletter, Volume 9
The Indiana Department of Health’s Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education has released the latest issue of Connections Newsletter. Click here to access all issues. 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. Please contact cdhhe@health.in.gov with any questions.
New Educator Institute Summer Professional Development Available for Indiana Council for Exceptional Children (INCEC) Members
Members of INCEC’s New Educator Institute have access to an additional PD opportunity through the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC’s) High-Leverage Practices (HLP) Deep Dive Series. Participants have access to four on-demand workshops featuring two of CEC’s experts on HLP during the Summer 2024 PD session through Sunday, June 30. Learn more here.
Governor's Council for People with Disabilities EmPOWERment Hour
Join the Indiana’s Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the Arc of Indiana, Indiana Family to Family, and Partners in Policymaking Alumni for a power hour to grow your advocacy skills as a parent or family caregiver. These virtual community conversations may be right for you if:
- You are a parent/family caregiver for a child, birth to age 22, with a developmental disability and co-existing medical complexities;
- You are wanting to connect with other family caregivers to learn from one another;
- You would like to learn more about family advocacy and Partners in Policymaking.
The last session will be on Friday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to noon ET.
Register here and learn more here.
Upcoming Dates |
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Friday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to noon ET
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Governor's Council for People with Disabilities EmPOWERment Hour
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Friday, June 28
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Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All Conference Proposals Due
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Monday, July 1
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FY 2025 Special Education Grant Assurances Due
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Monday, July 1
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FY 2023 Part B Grant Proportionate Share Release Request Forms Available
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Friday, July 5
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Indiana Teacher of the Year application deadline
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Friday, July 12
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2023-2024 Special Education EV Data Certified in DEX
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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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Monday, July 15
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MOE for Part B Funding Due
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Monday, July 15
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IKRA Opt-In Window Closes
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Wednesday, July 31
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2025 GEPA Forms Due
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Thursday, August 29
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LEArn and LEAd Indianapolis
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Friday, August 30
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FY 2023 Part B Grant Proportionate Share Release Request Forms Due
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Friday, August 30
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LEArn and LEAd Merrillville
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Monday, September 16
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FY 2023 Part B Grant Budget Modification Request Forms Due
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