 Special Education Community of Practice 2022-2023
Our CSPD Regions 1-5 are busy training educators all over Montana! In the past few weeks, educators from around the state have been engaged in learning opportunities such as IEFA: Montana Tribes, Digital Tech Tools, Understanding the Power of Guidance, The Magic of Words, Flipping the Aces, The Science of Reading, Resiliency Strategies, and Social Thinking. There are a wide variety of training sessions coming in the next few months from every corner of the state! Please take advantage of these excellent professional development opportunities.
Find information about the regions HERE and locate virtual and in-person training opportunities HERE.
Special Education Community of Practice 2022-23
These meetings are one-hour sessions held the second Thursday of the Month from 3:30-4:30. There will be a short 10-20 minute presentation on a topic followed by a discussion around that topic. The purpose of these meetings is to provide technical assistance and support for Special Education teachers as well as help build a network for teachers throughout Montana. December 8, 2022 : Tammy Lysons, MTSS January 12, 2023 : Tammy Hogan, Pre-ETS February 9, 2023 : Brook Hodge, Montana Vocational Rehabilitation March 9, 2023 : Transitions April 13, 2023 : Lucy Beltz, Early Childhood May 11, 2023 : Extended School Year
Register Here
Contact Anne Carpenter, Program Support Specialist, 406-465-0922
OPI’s 1% Waiver Request
November 7, 2022
Dear Partners in Education,
The Montana OPI is preparing to submit the Initial 1% waiver request per the OSEP memo sent to states on September 20, 2022. The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has adopted alternate academic achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Montana OPI does measure the achievement of those standards with an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS). Federal regulation 34 C.F.R. 200.6(c)(2) requires that, for each subject for which assessments are administered, the total number of students assessed in that subject using an alternate assessment with alternate academic achievement standards may not exceed 1% of the total number of students in the State who are assessed in that subject.
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) caps the percentage of students who can take the alternate assessment at 1% of the total students tested. The ESSA also allows states that may exceed the 1% cap to apply for a one-year waiver. Montana has not requested the waiver previously. However, Montana Office of Public Instruction (MT OPI) believes the waiver may be necessary for the 2022-2023 school year.
Therefore, the Montana OPI is seeking public comment on the 1% OPI waiver. Please note that responses will be consider formal public comment. The Montana OPI has scheduled a virtual webinar that will be open for public comment at two different times to seek public input. Public comment may also be submitted to the following email at OPI: OPIMSAAWaiver@mt.gov
See below for additional details.
Below is a Timeline outlining the process with stakeholder involvement with public comment opportunities as underlined:
· November 7, 2022: Initiate public comment, by sending email to stakeholders and posting information on the OPI webpage with links to the Montana Office of Public Instruction 1% Waiver Request.
· November 9, 2022: Discussion with Statewide SPED Director’s 2:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom
· November 15, 2022: Education Advocates Meeting – 9:30am – 10:30am via Zoom
· November 17, 2022: Webinar 1 for public input, 4:00pm-5:00pm via Zoom
· November 21, 2022: Discussion with Special Education Advisory Panel via Zoom
· November 22, 2022: Webinar 2 for public input, 4:00pm to 5:00pm via Zoom
· December 7, 2022: Public comment deadline 4:00pm
· December 13, 2022: Final Draft prepared and submitted to the DOE
OPI’s 1% Waiver Request Public Comment Webinars
Webinar 1; Thursday November 17, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Webinar 2; Tuesday November 22, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/81634526859?pwd=dnJyK2pCaUJuWVdzYktpMzRwK1NSQT09 Meeting ID: 816 3452 6859
Password: 178051
Dial by Telephone
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 816 3452 6859
Password: 178051
Find your local number: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/kcTZadaL8w
Please send feedback, input and comments to OPIMSAAWaiver@mt.gov
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The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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