This legislative year has been awesome for students with disabilities attending IPSE programs! Recently signed by Governor Stitt, two important bills will provide tuition and scholarship funding for students attending Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) at colleges and universities in Oklahoma:
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SB 1624 – amends the Oklahoma Higher Education Tuition Aid Act; allows resident students enrolled in CTP programs to be eligible for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG); eligible programs of training shall include comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs approved by the United States Department of Education.
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HB 3792 – creates the Oklahoma Access and Achievement Act and the Oklahoma Access and Achievement Program, to provide an award to eligible students with intellectual disabilities who are pursuing studies in this state at a CTP program; effectively expands Oklahoma's Promise to include students attending CTP-designated programs in Oklahoma; will be funded through the Oklahoma Higher Access Learning Trust Fund.
Beginning in 2016 with HB 1065, work began to encourage entities and stakeholders to begin creating CTPs in Oklahoma for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Julie Lackey, Director of the OKIPSE Alliance, has been one of many champions dedicated to this endeavor. Oklahoma currently has three Comprehensive Transition Programs. Now, thanks to Senator Seifried & Representative Vancuren, and Representatives Hefner, McBride, Deck, Pittman, Schreiber, Swope and Munson, and Senators Seifried & Kirt, along with Jarrett Jobe with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and many other supporters, we have new funding streams approved by the Governor for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend Oklahoma’s CTPs. The OK-IPSE Alliance webpage Paying for College has links to current resources to help students with I/DD attend CTPs. Also, for an infographic on Why Consider IPSE Programs after High School? and more information on CTPs (in English, Spanish, and Plain Text) in Oklahoma, view the OKIPSE Alliance downloadable resources page.
Please find the LINK for a SHORT Need and Interest Survey regarding Education after High School for students with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in Oklahoma. This survey has been developed in partnership with OKIPSE Alliance, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and Sooner SUCCESS. Your responses are confidential and very much needed as we look at expanding Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) programs in our state. THANK YOU for your time. Your opinion will make a difference when planning new programs!
We are thrilled to announce the Oklahoma School-Based Therapist Network, sponsored by OSDE-SES and the Lee Mitchener Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities. This collaboration aims to provide a robust support system for Oklahoma's public-school Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists. Navigating the diverse needs of students in special education settings can be challenging, particularly for new therapists. Even seasoned professionals sometimes seek fresh perspectives on evidence-based interventions. Recognizing this, the Oklahoma School-Based Therapist Network, in conjunction with the Tolbert Center, is dedicated to offering resources, training, and consultative services tailored to the unique demands of school-based therapists.
Starting August 2024, the Network will offer:
- Continuing Education Opportunities: Earn CEUs conveniently designed for school-based OTs, PTs, and SLPs, addressing their specific learning needs.
- Technical Support: Access virtual or in-person consultations to address individual challenges and queries.
- Online Resource Library: Sharing a wealth of resources curated to enhance therapeutic practices in school settings.
- Monthly Lunch and Learn Webinars: Engage in free, informative sessions covering a range of pertinent topics.
- First-Year School Therapist Training Series: Equip yourself with essential skills and insights tailored for new practitioners.
Empower yourself with knowledge, support, and community through the Oklahoma School-Based Therapist Network. Together, let's elevate our knowledge to better serve our students.
If you are beginning your first year providing school-based therapy services, click here for more information and to sign up for the free series.
We want to hear from you! What topics would you like more information on? What resources do you need? What times are you most available for continuing education opportunities? Click here for more information.
If you are interested in receiving the listserv that will be sent out for Related Service Providers, please fill out the form. For more details, please reach out to Michele DeBerry or Amber Davis.
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The 2023-2024 Vision Screening Report is now open on Single Sign-On. Each year, the Oklahoma State Department of Education requires schools to report the vision screening results of Kindergarten, first grade, and third grade students, in response to state law 70 O.S. § 1210.284. The Vision Screening report is due June 14, 2024.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Kellie Carter, Manager of School Nursing Programs.
- Early Childhood Outcomes for all children exiting preschool this school year must be completed no later than 6/30/2024 in order to count as completed for the district. Guidance regarding entry and exit ECOs, as well as best practice is available on the website.
- District data related to early childhood transitions must be submitted (even if no transitions occurred) no later than 6/30/2024 via the District Summary Data in EdPlan. Guidance related to early childhood transition and early childhood enrollment is also available on the website.
- End of Year Reports for ECOs and Early Childhood Transitions are available in EdPlan Advanced Reporting.
- While looking at these reports, consider the red flags as a prompt for LEA teams to check to ensure ECOs and early childhood transitions have been completed as indicated. If they have been done, then nothing additional is required.
- These reports are available as tools for districts. They are informational, so the red flag report will likely not change.
- For questions related to early childhood data, please reach out to the data team and/or Megan Withers.
New memorandum regarding changes and updates to the application for High Needs, Tier I and Tier II. Please contact your finance specialist for any assistance
OSDE sponsored events, professional development, and conferences are beneficial to special education teachers and staff. Information about upcoming events can be found on the Project 613 list.
Additional information or questions about Project 613 can be directed to Abby Johnson.
Targeted districts will be receiving funds for the purpose of developing or improving an OKMTSS framework using an evidence-based academic and/or behavior continuum of interventions through tiered support.
The Project 619 Memo provides actions steps and additional information.
The FY2025 Assurances are now available online. Assurances must be completed prior to July 1st.
You can access the Assurances through your Single Sign On.
- Sign into your Single Sign On
- Select: Grants Management/Expenditure Reporting
- Select: Page on the GMS Access
- Change Fiscal Year: 2025
- Proceed: Create your Assurances
When completing the FY25 Assurances, districts should be sure their nine digit zip code corresponds with their physical address. The physical address should match the districts physical address in SAM.gov.
OSDE-SES is providing Transition Technical Assistance through a temporary, part-time Secondary Transition Program Specialist. Assistance to schools/districts will be available through various formats to include e-mail, phone, virtual (via Microsoft Teams) and/or in-person. Please use this link to complete a Transition Technical Assistance Request for your school/district regarding Secondary Transition topics, including the new Alternate Diploma and 18-22 Transition Programs. For brief questions and/or more information about Transition Technical Assistance, please contact Claudia Beckner or Lori Chesnut.
Indicator 14: Post-School Outcomes Survey is the “Percent of youth who had IEPs, are no longer in secondary school and who have been competitively employed, enrolled in some type of postsecondary school, or both, within one year of leaving high school.” The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services (OSDE-SES) annually surveys exiters (students who exit the IDEA) aged 16 and up a year after they graduate, drop out, or age out. The results are reflected on the annual District Determination Profile (DDP). It is important to have a high percentage of exiters participate in the Post-School Outcomes (PSO) Survey to ensure that the data are representative of the State and districts and useful in improving effective transition programs and services. Districts may opt-in to Survey their former students to reconnect and raise PSO response rates.
Watch the OSDE-SES and Data-Driven Enterprises Indicator 14: Post-School Outcomes Informational Webinar to learn more about opting in to survey your former students to raise your response rates and to find out what they have been doing since leaving high school!
Check out the updated the updated PSO Guidance Briefs.
OSDE presents a one-day, opportunity for districts to participate in a hands-on
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Fidelity of Implementation
Rubric self-assessment. The self-assessment requires a district-level
MTSS Leadership team to assess the district’s implementation level of
the specific essential components necessary to have an MTSS framework
for academics and behavior.
Registration is now OPEN.
Please see the OKMTSS Fidelity of Implementation Flyer for more information and registration.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, the State Personnel Development Grant, Project AWARE, the State Systemic Improvement Plan- B, and other collaborating offices, are hosting the MTSS Summer Conference. The intent of this conference is to support educators in a focused approach to align and implement an MTSS systems. The conference is not intended to only consist of background knowledge but to provide actionable steps and information to implement high-quality implementations for all students.
When:
Pre-Conference- June 24th; 12:30-4:30pm
- Learn the MTSS Frameworks
- Pyramid Model
- Resources
Main Conference- June 25-26; 8:00-4:30pm
- Keynote Session- OKMTSS on EDPlan
- Breakout groups
- Networking/Connection Sessions
*OPTIONAL* Virtual Conference- June 25-26; 8:00-4:30pm
- Live webinar style sessions
- Virtual Engagement
Register your MTSS teams today! Registration is limited! Participants attending the in-person conference will leave the conference with ongoing conference materials! We look forward to connecting with you!
For more information about this conference, please reach out to Alexa Hudak.
 Welcome to inspireOK 24, where educators come together to innovate and inspire! Dive into a day of collaborative learning, sharing insights, and crafting transformative teaching practices tailored for Oklahoma schools.
Reserve your spot now by registering and remember to print your ticket for hassle-free entry to all sessions. Let's ignite change and shape tomorrow's education landscape together!
Join us on July 15, 2024 from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Please note - You must complete BOTH in order to fully register for the conference.
For more information, please see the Sessions and Conference Program.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be holding their CPI 2-day Regional Trainings for you to send 4 employees to get blue card certified.
Limited seats available! Registration is now OPEN!
Join us on July 25-26, 2024 in OKC!
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be holding their CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings for you to send 4 employees to get certified.
Verbal Interventions: Blue Card
- No de-escalation techniques
- No hold/restrictions
Regional Trainings:
CPI is approved through Project 613 for substitutes, travel, and lodging. Keep in mind lodging must be at least 60 miles one way.
Questions can be directed to Megan Salisbury
Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference 2024
You Bring the Magic: Your Magic, Your Impact
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our Annual Conference for Support Staff for the 2024-2025 School Year.
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:
- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
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