The Special Education 2024 Policies and Procedures Manual is now live on our website.
Solutions for Psychological Evaluations in your district.
Presence is the leading provider of Teletherapy for K12 Districts. We have been fortunate to work with over 20 districts in Oklahoma to date. In 2022 we partnered with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to help with the shortage of School Psychologists throughout the state.
**This year, Presence will NOT be permitted to conduct a Review of Existing Data (REDS) for any students. Please contact Cami Dotson.
***This survey will be used to prioritize districts for the FY24/25 school year Psychoeducational Assessments administered by Presence. In order to be selected to participate, please fill out the following survey in its entirety.
Since state-wide conception, the Medicaid agency (OHCA) has approved over $10 million in school-based revenue to Oklahoma school districts. Schools can currently be reimbursed for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Administrative Claiming. This school year we will also be adding Nursing, Counseling, and Behavioral Health Services. If your school district is interested in learning more about reimbursement through the School-Based Health Services (SBHS) program, please email okffs@pcgus.com to setup a meeting.
The SBHS Participation Agreement for the school year 2024-2025 is available through the Grants Management System. All districts choosing to use this agreement may begin completing their online application. Follow these steps for application completion.
- Select the correct fiscal year (FY25)
- Go to “GMS Access / Select” and scroll to available applications under IDEA.
- Click “Create” on the “School Based Health Part” line. Once you have created the application it will appear under your applications.
- Please agree to all assurances, upload the entire contract, and submit it.
NOTE: The items below need to be completed:
Page 12: Enter district Information
Signature Page: (must have) Signature, Printed Name, Title, and Date of Board Approval
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
NEW! Opportunity!
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
It has been brought to our attention that some misinformation has been shared recently about School-based Medicaid Services. School-based Medicaid Services can only be reimbursed for Medicaid-eligible students whose medical necessity is listed on their IEP. We are working with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to expand services beyond the IEP in the school setting sometime in 2025. Once the Medicaid expansion has been approved, OSDE, along with OHCA, will provide detailed requirements and guidance. We are excited to bring new opportunities for districts to support student services in the near future.
For more information on "current" billing procedures and regulations visit the OHCA School-based Medicaid website. Feel free to reach out to Kellie Carter, Manager of School Nursing Programs with OSDE.
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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You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. You can find and access information about the 2024-2025 Testing Schedule, Bulk Student Upload, Professional Development, and DLM Reminders.
Our annual Finance Workshops are now available for registration. Choose the location and date that’s best for you. Hope to see you there!
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
The FY25 allocations for Project 615 are now available. Districts can begin submitting their online budget through the GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your Project 615 budget. Applications must be completed and submitted by December 31, 2024. Districts not submitting a budget by December 31 will forfeit their allocation. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist.
Project 613 and Project 616 applications are now available. Districts may begin completing online budget applications through GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your chosen budget. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! Meetings will resume quarterly via Teams this year. Several Open Q & A sessions will be offered to meet district needs between the quarterly sessions. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). Join via this Teams link for all ADC meetings and Open Q & A Sessions for this school year! No registration is required, just click the link to join.
- ADC – September 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – October 24, 2024 (4th Thurs.)
- ADC – November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – December 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – January 16, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- ADC – February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – March 20, 2025
- ADC – April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – May 15, 2025
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 252 040 567 180
Passcode: W4xdRc
Child Count Reporting Webinar for Special Education Directors
Can’t attend any webinar? A session will be recorded and posted to the website for viewing at your convenience. To register, please view the FY24 Data Child Count.
Content includes a review of critical information about child count reporting for special education and updates on a few related topics.
Child Count Collection | Oklahoma State Department of Education
This training will focus on using assessment results to develop meaningful transition plans for students participating in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP).
Participants will:
- Learn to incorporate transition assessment results into the IEP
- Review case studies
- Analyze transition assessment results
- Use assessment results to identify specific transition strengths and needs and develop postsecondary goals, annual transition goals, services, coordinated activities, and courses of study.
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
For more information, please see the Agendas.
The program is geared to provide OK certified teachers with knowledge, tools and resources to instruct blind and visually impaired students in core academics and expanded core curriculum skills.
For more information please see the Oklahoma VI Teacher Institute Flyer.
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Paraprofessional Tier 2
OSDE has transitioned from PEPPER to OKConnect for the Paraprofessional Training Modules and the Long Term Substitute Modules. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO)
Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025
The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Virtual Registration:
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition 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.
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.
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.
OSDE-SES is partnering with LRP Publications to bring tailored professional development to all support personnel who serve students with disabilities and assist with improving student outcomes. To access the 10 available courses please print the instructions to create an account for the paraprofessionals or support staff in your district to participate. Only support personnel, please.
For more information, please see the DirectSTEP Flyer and DirectStep Courses.
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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