In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
- Special Education Teacher of the Year
- North Star Priorities: Parents and Families
- Introducing OSEEL GUIDES
- Transition Education Unit
- Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
- Division of IDEA Implementation
- Gifted and Talented
- Extended School Services
- Early Learning Unit
- Division of State Schools - KSB and KSD
Special Education Teacher of the Year
Stephanie Hammonds, 2023 Special Education Teacher of the Year
Stephanie Hammonds was selected as the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC’s) 2023 Special Education Teacher of the Year.
Hammonds originates from Paintsville High School/ Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center. Her journey in special education began when she discovered her passion while tutoring students with dyslexia after high school graduation.
A first-generation college student, she earned a degree in learning and behavior disorders from Pikeville College in 1994. Pursuing her commitment to education, she obtained a master’s degree from Morehead State University.
In 2017, Hammonds achieved a personal milestone by becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) specializing in Exceptional Needs. She proudly maintains her NBCT status, a testament to her dedication to special education. Her greatest triumphs as a special education teacher are the individual successes of her students.
Hammonds joyfully shares this achievement with her past and present students and community.
North Star Priorities: Parents and Families
The Kentucky Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) offers the Parents and Family Resources webpage, which offers guidance related to items such as Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), eligibility, explanations of the Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) with a definition under state regulation of who should be a part of the ARC, the roles of each of those required members and resources for understanding the ARC process. This webpage also provides information on accessing 504 services if a child is deemed ineligible for special education, along with other topics for parents and guardians.
Another resource from OSEEL is the Parent and Family Toolbox. The toolbox includes items such as information on advocacy and support organizations, family engagement, disabilities and special education, dyslexia, school safety, and transition and employment.
Sharing these resources with parents and guardians can be extremely beneficial to understating the referral and ARC processes, which leads to fewer complications for all stakeholders in the process. For more information, contact Shasta Hensley in the OSEEL, Division of IDEA and Preschool.
Introducing OSEEL GUIDES: Guiding, Uniting and Inspiring Directors of Early Learning and Special Education
OSEEL – in partnership with Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE) at Utah State University – introduces OSEEL GUIDES, a comprehensive workshop series for administrators in special education and early learning with fewer than four years of experience.
This initiative is designed to address topics essential to the roles of administrators and aims to deliver valuable insights and support for professional growth.
Over the past four years, Kentucky has witnessed a surge in new early learning and special education administrators. These individuals are tasked with mastering the art of leadership, navigating district-level responsibilities and managing the myriad of challenges inherent in district administration.
OSEEL GUIDES aims to support these administrators by fostering connections with OSEEL staff, offering an overview of compliance indicators and providing practical strategies for their roles in special education and early learning administration. The series assists in leadership skills development and navigating the complexities of administration in these fields.
This opportunity is extended to special education and early learning administrators with fewer than four years of experience. For more information, please contact Alisha Reeves.
Transition Education Unit
 Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) Teacher Training
American Rescue Plan, Enhanced Access and Opportunities in Career and Technical Education Using Immersive Virtual Reality
The Transition Education Unit is leveraging American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to introduce immersive virtual reality (IVR) equipment and training statewide. This project aims to enhance access and opportunities for students with disabilities in career and technical education (CTE) across 31 area technology centers and local vocational education centers.
The IVR technology fosters career exploration and career awareness. It aids students in refining their technical skills within the CTE framework, aligning with the overarching goal of empowering diverse learners.
Expect, Engage, Empower, Successful Transition for All!
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) held a kickoff webinar in support of the new Expect, Engage, Empower, Successful Transition for All initiative. The webinar highlighted insights from families, practitioners and experts on the transition of children and youth with disabilities into adulthood.
The initiative encourages collaboration in the field and among stakeholders to elevate expectations, presume competence, involve families earlier and empower those supporting transition services.
On Feb. 28, OSERS will host the second symposium of the series, Beyond the IDEA and WIOA Requirements: Knowing what to expect when it matters!
Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
Linda Funke, Assistant Director of Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results (DIMR)
New Assistant Director of Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
Linda Funke has been named the assistant director of the Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results (DIMR).
Funke started her career in special education, working with students of all ages. She most recently served as a consultant at OSEEL, preparing and organizing data for the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) monitoring visit.
Funke is excited to use the general supervision knowledge gained through the OSEP monitoring visit to assist DIMR and support local school districts in monitoring activities.
OSEEL’s Monitoring Activities
OSEEL engages in multiple monitoring activities with local school districts every year. These monitoring activities are outlined in the 2023 Monitoring Brief.
The current monitoring activities include desk reviews for any districts identified for Risk Focused Monitoring for the 2023-2024 school year. State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) Indicator 4 and Alternate Assessment desk reviews will occur in March and April. If you have any questions regarding monitoring notification, please contact Jessica Jones.
OSEEL staff are available to provide updates and answer questions related to upcoming monitoring activities. District staff may connect with OSEEL through virtual office hours via Microsoft Teams from 3-4 p.m. ET on any of the following dates:
District staff may join these open office hours on Microsoft Teams or by entering the Meeting ID: 261 209 105 691 and Passcode: N7AAJV.
Division of IDEA Implementation Updates
New Resources Available
The Kentucky Foundational Literacy Practice Profile (KFLPP) was published on Nov. 11 as a tool to assist districts and schools in improving literacy outcomes for students with disabilities. The KFLPP can be used at any grade level, learning environment, curriculum or program. For questions, please contact Lori Bean.
The Guide for Child Find was published Oct. 11 to help special education professionals and parents better understand the process of identifying, locating and evaluating children with disabilities.
This year’s survey opened on Jan. 15. The survey and parent letter are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Swahili and Amish. Electronic access to the survey is available on the Kentucky Post School Outcomes Parent Involvement webpage. The parent letter template and a printer-friendly version of the survey are sent via the Director of Special Education (DoSE) and Preschool Coordinator Listserv.
The survey window will close on June 30. If you have any questions about the Indicator 8 survey, please contact Shasta Hensley.
Early Learning Unit
Eighteen Districts Awarded Early Learning Bus Grants for After-School and Summer Programs
As part of the American Rescue Plan Early Learning funding, OSEEL introduced a competitive funding opportunity designed to support after-school and summer programming for preschool students. The following districts were selected to engage in this project: Allen, Barren, Bath, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Menifee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Trigg, Warren and Woodford counties.
Districts benefiting from the bus grants use the Early Learning Buses for community initiatives, focusing on raising awareness about early learning, building partnerships, conducting outreach and offering training and resources to families and caregivers.
Division of State Schools: KSB and KSD
Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)
KSB is happy to announce the KSB Weekend Retreat for this school year will be March 22-24. This year's theme will be "Ready, Set, Go: Smoothing the Road to Transition" and will focus on student transition into real-world settings.
There will be visitors from colleges, alumni organizations and the Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation. Students in grades 7 through 12 will be accepted. The application to attend the KSB Weekend Retreat can be accessed online.
Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)
 Two KSD players are focused on the field in front of them.
KSD's Middle School Robotics Team competed at the 5th Annual 2024 NRSC VIQRC Competition for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, hosted by Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville, Tenn. KSD middle school students did an amazing job!
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