Presence is the leading provider of live, online therapy and evaluation services in pre–K–12 schools. OSDE-SES has been supporting LEAs through a partnership with PCG-Medicaid billing services and Presence this school year to provide free evaluations. However, Presence has now met the limit of the OSDE-SES's allocation of funding for the payment of the free evaluation service to LEAs. The demand this school year has been significantly more than the previous school year for funding these evaluations across the State of Oklahoma. We will review the number of LEAs who took advantage of this free service for evaluations to determine a projection for next year's budget.
Please know for the remainder of this school year Presence will no longer be accepting referrals at no cost to the LEAs. You may contract directly with Presence to meet any of the remainder of the school year evaluation and/or therapy needs or contract with another qualified professional to meet the obligation of Child Find.
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Jeni Robison for more information about Medicaid billing
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Kelly Wright for more information about services through Presence
OSDE is offering a FREE intervention management tool for all districts, this is a different aspect of EDPlan that is different than EasyIEP. This tool is intended to support district and site level intervention tracking that schools are already completing. Weekly sessions regarding how to use the OKMTSS on EDPlan data management system's intervention platform are open for all educators to attend. We will have two sessions in February, three sessions in March and five sessions in April. These training sessions will provide time for general education teachers to learn how to create a group of students for interventions, how to create an individual student intervention plan targeted to evidence-based intervention protocols provided within the platform, and to see how the progress monitoring data is graphed to provide the visual story necessary to determine if a student is or is not responding to the intervention.
OSDE invites general education teacher to access OKMTSS on EDPlan to learn the function of the system this spring, so that when the system is integrated with all of the district's Student Information System (SIS) across the state starting in the 2024-2025 school year, teachers will have a good understand of how to utilize OKMTSS on EDPlan.
Below are the registration links for the February training sessions. Please consider sending as many general education teachers as possible to these sessions. OSDE seeks to ensure the platform is accessible for all educators so they can practice this spring, in order to prepare for the coming school year use of the OKMTSS on EDPlan system.
For those interested, please do not update any user types prior to the training.
The Office of Special Education Services at the Oklahoma State Department has developed a state-systemic improvement plan (SSIP) to support educators who serve kindergarten through third grade students, with a focus on students with special needs and early literacy outcomes.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for the coming school year for school sites who educate students K-3, within the State of Oklahoma, who have scored 0% proficiency for third-grade reading based on state testing proficiency for students with IEPs.
We are hosting informative virtual meetings to answer your questions and provide insight into this program! The informative meetings will be the same session but offered at different times to accommodate your schedule:
What is the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)?
The program features three tiers of participation:
- Tier 1:
- Universal Supports: Access to templates and protocols for early literacy interventions and evidence-based practices. You can access the Universal Supports through OK Multi-Tiered System of Supports | Oklahoma State Department of Education.
- Sequenced Professional Development: Access to a professional development sequence, intended to support educators with early literacy outcomes.
- Tier 2:
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Strategic Leadership Coaching: To support development of a site MTSS leadership team, aide in implementing MTSS for K-3 early literacy, continuous coaching. Application due June 1, 2024.
- Tier 3:
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Instructional Coaching: Application to access direct, individual support for educators working with K-3 students, supporting early literacy. Educators must be concurrently participating in the professional development sequence. Application due June 1, 2024.
The application for participation has been included in the email as links. On-time deadline is June 1, 2024, and late-acceptance will continue until August 1, 2024, or until the capacity for the program has been reached.
For more information to determine if this program is right for your school site, please contact Alexa Hudak to set up a phone conversation to answer any questions you might have.
We are eager for your participation!
These Wisdom Wednesday webinars take place on the third Wednesday of each month from Noon to 1:30 p.m.
They provide helpful information that will benefit educators, parents, SDE personnel and resource providers. All of our webinars are listed with registration info on our Wisdom Wednesday page. The webinars are free, and all webinars are recorded and posted after editing for viewing later.
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Developed from current research in the field, individual stories, and assessment data, the CVI Protocol provides a new framework for understanding CVI. The protocol outlines 16 visual behaviors and associated compensatory strategies that describe how individuals with CVI can be impacted.
This presentation will:
- Define each area of the protocol
- Outline potential implications
- Describe ideas for accommodations and strategies
- Include stories from individuals with CVI
To find out more information about the webinar series in April, see the CVI Protocol Flyer.
The Oklahoma Deaf Blind Technical Assistance Program in partnership with the University of Oklahoma, will be hosting a webinar discussing Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) on April 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM via Zoom. In the session, Maurice Belote will guide participants in learning about evidence-based auditory strategies that support students with CAPD.
Registration is now open. A Zoom link for the webinar will be emailed to you a week prior to the session.
The Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University has announced the transition theme for the month of April! This month’s focus is Workplace Readiness Skills! The first resource for this month is a Workplace Readiness Rubric. Check out this amazing resource! Even through the rubric is based on Virginia’s 21st Century Workplace Readiness Skills, the skill categories found in the rubric are personal qualities, people skills, and professional traits that are necessary for employment success anywhere! The Workplace Readiness Rubric could be used as an informal transition assessment for developing annual transition goals in Employment. Some of the skill categories are also relevant to Independent Living and Community Participation.
Family Perspective Conference that will provide information to help you navigate available programs and resources for children with special needs.
Come join us on April 24, 2024 at 9:00 AM.
Fore more information and for registration, please see the On the Road Flyer.
- “Supporting CTE Special Populations Grant Application 2024-2026” is now available. Check it out and begin planning in advance for an opportunity to be awarded a two-year grant (up to $50,000/year) aimed at helping schools implement transition programs and/or other support strategies to assist in the provision of transferable skill sets to students regarding the attainment of meaningful employment and becoming productive members of society!!!
- The Supporting CTE Special Populations Overview (oklahoma.gov) outlines the requirements for the 2024-2026 grant application and required goal priorities.
- Special Populations include the following: Individuals with Disabilities, Individuals from Economically Disadvantaged Families, Individuals Preparing for Non-Traditional Fields, Single Parents, Including Single Pregnant Women, Out Of Workforce Individuals, English Learners, Homeless Individuals, Youth In or Aged Out of Foster Care System, and Youth with a Parent who is a member of the Armed Forces and on Active Duty.
- Perkins LEAs or consortia meeting the $15,000 requirement OR technology centers, technology center co-ops, postsecondary institutions, or consortia meeting the $50,000 requirement are eligible to complete the grant application.
- Application deadline is currently listed as May 3, 2024 (subject to change)
SW OK Caregiver Retreat at Quartz Mountain Lodge
Free to caregivers raising a child/adult with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities living in Beckham, Caddo, Greer, Harmon and Kiowa Counties.
Join us on May 3rd and 4th.
Visit SoonerSUCCESS for more information.
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf is pleased to present the 2024 statewide Deaf Education Conference.
Professionals in the field of deaf education will come together, engage in dynamic workshops, connect with colleagues, and identify pathways to empowering students through access, language, and literacy. Attendees will include early interventionists, early childhood specialists, teachers of the deaf, and educational interpreters.
The pre-conference will be held June 3-4, 2024.
The conference will be held June 5-6, 2024.
Registration is now open.
The BEST-STEP program includes a week-long employment program for youth to build their employment skills, followed by a 4 week-paid internship in their community. We are seeking work skills trainers to work with our youth to help develop jobs and serve as job coaches.
This is an excellent opportunity for educational professionals looking to earn some money this summer including teachers, paraprofessionals, classroom assistants, etc.
Applicants need their own transportation, be able to pass a background check, and be prepared to work with our awesome youth with disabilities.
Training is provided and there are several camps in the OKC metro and across the state for which they could apply.
Here are some of the tasks the BEST STEP Skills Trainers (BSST) will be doing with our students:
- Employer of record will be OU (University of Oklahoma)
- Hourly rate is $19 to $22 per hour depending on certification.
- Working in April and May, up to 8 hours a week.
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Estimated working at 20-25 hours a week, for up to 6 weeks in June and July.
- Mileage reimbursement is available.
SUMMARY OF OBLIGATIONS
- Collaboration and communication with all team members.
- Participate in student interviews to determine student support needs, skill level and job interests.
- Participate in job development to identify community job placements for student paid work experiences.
- After the first week of employment, visit student worksite at least one-hour, one-time per week, during the remaining 3-week program period.
- Provide technical assistance and/or guidance to employers, co-workers and/or students as needed to increase learning and to maintain employment success.
- Facilitate assistance to employers, co-workers and/or students to complete timesheets and progress reports on a weekly basis.
- Must have a reliable vehicle and required vehicle insurance. Staff will not transport students.
- Must successfully complete the University's background screening requirements, Working with Minors training, and eligible to work in the U.S.
- Must turn in a Direct Service Verification form filled out and signed by the student and turned into the team lead.
Please see the 2024 BEST STEP Skill Trainer Flyer and the 2024 BEST STEP Skill Trainer Questionnaire for more information.
TechNow STEM Camp is open to Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 who are on an IEP or 504 Plan or who have other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities. At STEM Camp, students will learn different ways to interact with computers, software, and related technologies to design and create: Power Racer dragster, HT Racer, full color patches for jackets, pants and shirts.
They'll get to make shirts, hats, mouse pads, pin back buttons, and bracelets. Students will develop new skills while interacting with peers and making memories that will last a lifetime. The camp is held from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. over three days. Below are the dates and locations of the currently planned STEM Camps for Summer 2024.
For more information and to register, please see STEM Camp 2024.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) provides this toolkit as a resource for school district administrators, teachers and paraeducators who work with students with disabilities. This toolkit provides ongoing mentoring and professional development.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2023-2024 including:
- Autism: Foundation Training
- Reducing Challenging Behaviors
- Conducting FBA and Writing BIP's
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
What is SERC?
The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) has been collaborating with the Oklahoma State Department of Education for nearly 20 years to help families and school districts resolve conflicts at the earliest stage possible. SERC provides services for children from birth to age 3 in SoonerStart and for students ages 3 through 21 in public schools.
Please view the March 2024 SERC Newsletter.
What is Transition?
The Transition program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.
Please view the April 2024: Check Out the Transition Resources and Services
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