 The 2021-2022 Special Education Guidance document provides timely guidance to districts on the following topics: Special Education Programming, Staffing, EDPlan, Finance and Data.
 ACT Streamlines Accommodations Eligibility Requirements for Students with IEPs, 504 Plans Policy Change for 2021-22 School Year Expedites Process to Save Educators, Families, Students Time
IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT, the nonprofit developer of the ACT test, today announced plans to increase accessibility to the ACT test for students with disabilities by streamlining accommodations eligibility requirements. ACT will approve allowable accommodations already included in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans.
Beginning with the 2021-22 testing year, students who already receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will automatically be eligible to receive the allowable testing accommodations when they register for the ACT with accommodations.
The IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act contain rigorous requirements that public schools must follow in determining who is an eligible student with a disability and what accommodations eligible students need to access their education. This includes what accommodations are needed to access classroom and standardized tests, like the ACT test.
“Students with disabilities already face many barriers in their lives, and we don’t want the accommodations process for taking the ACT to be one of them,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “This policy change simplifies and expedites the process for requesting accommodations, so that students can focus on learning all that they can in school and showing what they know on test day.”
In conjunction with the policy change, ACT is updating its system for requesting accommodations to require less information and documentation to support requests submitted on behalf of students with a current IEP or 504 plan.
“By aligning to a standard that is already applied in schools where the majority of our students with accommodations are learning, we simplify and expedite the process for students, families, and educators,” said ACT Senior Director of Accessibility Katie Featherston.
While this change benefits the majority of students who test with accommodations, ACT will continue to offer accommodations to test-takers who do not have a current IEP or 504 plan. The organization will continue to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standard to determine whether there is a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity” and whether the requested accommodations are reasonable for the ACT test.
More information about the Policy Change and Process for Requesting Accommodations.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help students with disabilities get an early start in identifying career interests to achieve community integration, independence, post-secondary education, and/or competitive integrated employment.
See Pre-ETS Fact Sheet for more information.
OSDE sponsored events, professional development, and conferences are beneficial to special education teachers and staff. Additionally, Project 613 does not have a deadline to submit an application. Districts can submit an application at any time.
Please Note: All upcoming activities and events are subject to being rescheduled, canceled, or move to an online format. Information about any changes will be posted to the listserv.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education Special Education Services Division and the Office of School Safety and Security are offering Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training for small and rural school districts across the state. Districts may register up to 4 staff members to participate in the 2-day training. All participants must attend both days of the training session.
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® program is a safe and effective behavior management system designed to help educators provide the best Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security for students in distress. This training is designed to equip school staff members with tools to use in crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques and physical interventions.
OSDE CPI Fall 21 Regional Training Information Document
Trainings offered at TWO locations.
September 14, 2021 and September 16, 2021
One day special education law and advocacy program focusing on four areas:
• Special education law, rights and
responsibilities
• Tests and measurements to measure
progress and regression
• SMART IEPs
• Introduction to tools and strategies for effective advocacy
Limited Registration!
Registration Fee: $15.00 - includes 3 books, breakfast refreshments and boxed lunch!
Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference with Wayne Steedman Flyer.
This 6-week long course introduces the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and is designed for adult learners who are looking for meaningful and conversational ASL that is readily applicable to their daily routines. ASL Instructor, Virginia Maze, will offer group classes once a week. During these group sessions, the instructor will present a vocabulary lesson, information about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture, and resources for additional practice. Participants will be able to ask questions during class and make suggestions for lesson topics. Each class builds on the previous lesson.
Registration is required, as enrollment is limited to 50 participants for the entire course.
Participants completing 6 sessions will receive a certificate of attendance to document this professional development event.
Save the Date!
October 26 - October 28
Mapping the Future of Transition!
Join us for three days of sharing, learning, networking and planning.
This event will be virtual!
For more information and questions, please contact Yolanda Scott or Jennifer Randle.
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