The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) needs your assistance in recognizing districts that provide innovative and exemplary school psychological services in your state! NASP offers an Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) Recognition Program. However, many districts are not yet aware of this recognition program or its benefits, which include:
- A structured self-evaluation tool, with objective feedback provided by peers
- A mechanism to raise the profile of school psychologists in the district
- A tool to advocate for more effective organizational structures and supports, and a comprehensive range of services
- Formal and public recognition that can be shared in the community and with other stakeholders
- Perks for the districts that participate and earn levels of distinction, such as complimentary NASP Convention registrations and online learning benefits.
To date, only one district has been recognized in your state by the ESPS Program. Yet, we know there are many other districts in your state that are providing services worthy of distinction.
Would you please forward this message to your district special education administrators' listserv? As they are closing out and reflecting on the current school year and making plans for next fall, please encourage district special education administrators to consider promoting their school psychological services.
For additional information about the ESPS Program, please see theattached brochure or the NASP ESPS. You may also contact Leigh Ann Fisler, the co-chair of the NASP Practice Model Committee if you have questions.
Please see the June 2024 EDPlan Updates for IEP Early Childhood Environments and Invitation to Meeting Wizard.
OSDE is partnering with EdPlan to create an online Intervention Management System and Data Dashboard. These are free of charge for any district choosing to use this tool. However, in the data integration process, OSDE has noticed that some schools are labeled as the incorrect "Type of School" (e.g., Under OKMTSS tab the list of schools some sites are listed incorrectly as an elementary school when they are actually a high school site).
Please see this guidance included to update the "Type of School" under the Admin tab within EDPlan under the "Schools" tab to correct the site's school type. See the "Type of School" dropdown list.
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 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!
 The Oklahoma Parents Center (OPC) would like to announce our 15th Annual Statewide Conference “Navigating Special Education and Beyond”
Join us on Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
This conference is designed to educate parents, families and professionals in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages’ birth to 26. As with every statewide conference, there will be great speakers, much information shared, lunch, and plenty of door prizes.
It is FREE for attendees, but we do need you to register.
For more information please see the Statewide Conference Flyer, also available in Spanish.
The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners is proud to announce a new year of monthly, low-cost, 2-hour, professional development webinars!
Teacher and Paraeducator teams are encouraged to ign up together! New topics every month!! Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 am – 12 pm MDT! Discounts for multiple webinars and group rates are available!
Sooner Success has compiled a list of 2024 summer/camp opportunities.
Please note: This document is for informational purposes only. It is recommended that families check with each camp to verify information, costs, requirements, and dates. Sooner Success also indicates on the 2024 Camp List that: “Caregivers may be eligible to help offset costs for camp if they qualify for the Lifespan Respite Voucher program.
For more information visit Sooner Success Respite or call (405) 271-2710.
Who? STEM is open to all Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 (i.e., on an IEP, 504 Plan, or other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities). Parents, guardians, and siblings are encouraged to support this learning experience by helping if needed, or wanted.
What: Students will learn how to use computers, software, and related technologies to design and create the following:
Power Racer Dragster – Powered HT Racer – Full Color Patches for caps, jackets, and pants – Bracelet – T-Shirt – Mouse Pad – Pin Back Buttons – And More! Come join us. Registration links are in the flyers.
Who? STEM is open to all Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 (i.e., on an IEP, 504 Plan, or other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities). Parents, guardians, and siblings are encouraged to support this learning experience by helping if needed, or wanted.
What: Students will learn how to use computers, software, and related technologies to design and create the following:
Power Racer Dragster – Powered HT Racer – Full Color Patches for caps, jackets, and pants – Bracelet – T-Shirt – Mouse Pad – Pin Back Buttons – And More! Come join us. Registration links are in the flyers.
2024 Inclusive Communications Conference - Inclusive Minds, Unified Hearts: Empower through Communication
Don’t miss Oklahoma’s very first 2024 Inclusive Communication Conference and unlock the power of inclusive communication! Hosted by the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, Beyond the Spectrum OK, and the Down Syndrome Association of Oklahoma, the one-day conference will be held on Wednesday, July 17th from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Metro Tech in Oklahoma City. This inaugural conference aims to bring together K-12 educators, providers, and caregivers for a comprehensive discussion on communication in various forms, particularly addressing the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and complex communication disorders in academic settings. The conference will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and resource vendors from both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors from across the state of Oklahoma.
Registration for attendees is FREE, but space is limited, so make sure to register today!
This intensive 13-hour interactive workshop is designed to teach the theory and protocol for the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), an evidence-based practice based on Applied Behavior Analysis, typical language development, and B.F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior. Using presenter demonstrations, role-play opportunities, and video examples participants will gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience of each of the six phases of PECS. Please join us September 12-13, 2024.
For more information and registration, please see the PECS Level 1 Flyer.
The Oklahoma State University offers a 36-credit online master's degree in special education that focuses on working with children with mild/moderate disabilities in special education and general education classrooms.
For more information on OSU Online Boot Camp, please see the OSU Boot Camp Flyer.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- August 29, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
For additional information contact Jamie Schroeder at (414) 441-1750
The Oklahoma State Department of Education – Office of Special Education Services in collaboration with Dr. Kaylin Coody, will host a series of Paraprofessional training this Fall.
Designed for those wanting to obtain the Tier 2 Paraprofessional Certificate, the training provides an overview of classroom behavior strategies, legal aspects of special education, and data collection.
The training is divided into two locations. With each location having a Part I and Part II.
There is no cost associated with the training. If participants cannot attend and do not cancel within 4 days prior to the training, the district will be responsible for the cost associated with the participant(s), approximately $100 each.
Enrollment is limited to 50 participants.
Registration for the
Questions about the training, or for those requiring interpreting services, can be directed to Abby Johnson.
Beginning with the incoming 2024-2025 school year districts requesting training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills are encouraged to send an employee to become a Certified Trainer for CPI. Once certified to become a trainer the said employee will be certified to train others in their place of employment. Beginning with the forthcoming school year OSDE will be transitioning to Verbal Interventions only and will not train individuals in the disengagements or restraints in CPI. Please note the dates, locations, and the information for contacting the CPI Senior Territory Manager for Oklahoma below.
- Associated costs to districts
reimbursable through Project 615
- Participants become certified to train
others in their place of employment.
Location and Date:
- Oklahoma City
- August 20, 2024-August 22, 2024
- December 10, 2024-December 12, 2024
- Oklahoma City - APS (Advanced)
- June 4, 2024-June 7, 2024
- Tulsa
- August 6, 2024-August 8, 2024
- October 15, 2024-October 17, 2024
Who to Contact:
Jaime Schroeder, Schedule a Call Senior Territory Account Manager at CPI for Kansas, Oklahoma & Nebraska Crisis Prevention Institute 10850 W. Park Place, Suite 250 • Milwaukee, WI 53224 Direct 414.441.1750 • crisisprevention.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaime-schroeder
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
The Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University continues providing resources for each month’s focus, with June spotlighting Independent Living! CTI says “Summer is the best time to dive in and take steps toward independence and success without stressful deadlines! This month, we're focusing on empowering students with the skills they need to live independently.” Check back each week this month for CTI’s Resources for June on the theme of Independent Living. They also offer free self-paced courses for families, professionals, and youth:
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