As of yesterday, HB 2047 was amended and signed into law. House Bill 2047, known as the Emerson Kate Cole Act, was enacted in Oklahoma in May 2025 to enhance school emergency response protocols for students experiencing severe allergic reactions. The legislation is named in memory of Emerson Kate Cole, a young girl who tragically died after an anaphylactic reaction at school in January 2023, where epinephrine was not administered in time.
Key Amendments and Provisions:
- Mandatory Emergency Response: Schools are now required to call 911 immediately after administering epinephrine to a student. Additionally, parents must be promptly notified if their child experiences a possible allergic reaction.
- Epinephrine Administration: A key amendment in HB 2047 was the removal of the word "injectors" following "epinephrine" in existing statutes. This change broadens the scope of how epinephrine can be administered in schools, allowing for flexibility in emergency treatment options, including both intranasal and injectable routes. By eliminating this limiting language, the law ensures that schools can utilize the most appropriate and accessible form of epinephrine delivery in life-threatening situations.
- Annual Staff Training: The State Board of Education is tasked with developing model policies that include mandatory annual training for teachers and school employees. This training covers recognizing anaphylaxis, understanding food allergies, and the proper administration of epinephrine.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) will collaborate over the coming months to develop the required model policies and training materials outlined in HB 2047. These resources will include guidance on recognizing and responding to anaphylaxis, proper administration of epinephrine (including both injectable and intranasal forms), and updated protocols for school staff. The finalized policies and training courses are expected to be available before the start of the upcoming school year, ensuring schools are prepared to implement the new requirements effectively and enhance student safety from day one.
Schools districts have the option to supply stock epinephrine but it is not required.
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 your district’s 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. Complete the PSO OPT-IN Survey to reconnect with your former students and raise PSO response rates!
Check out the current PSO Guidance Briefs and link to the Opt-In Survey below:
• PSO Survey Summer 2025 Guidance Brief for Districts
• PSO Survey Guidance Brief for Students and Families
• PSO Opt-In Survey for Summer 2025
Questions, please contact Claudia Beckner.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education hereby notifies all interested parties of its intent to make available and provide information about P.L. 108-446 IDEA Parts B and C, FFY 2025 grant application, for early intervention [infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth to three (0-3)], and children and youth with disabilities ages three through twenty-one (3-21) in Oklahoma.
The first draft of the P.L. 108-446 FFY 2025 grant application has been developed for public review and comment prior to the final draft being submitted to the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The P.L. 108-446 FFY 2025 grant application for funds includes provisions for assuring the state has policies and procedures in effect to meet the eligibility requirements of parts B and C of the act.
Copies of the draft of Parts B and C P.L. 108-446 FFY 2025 grant application are available for public review in: early intervention offices in the following locations: Ada, Clinton, Kingfisher, Lawton, McAlester, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Tahlequah, and Tulsa. Additional copies are available for public review at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services, 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 411, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-4599 or online at Special Education. Parties interested in reviewing the draft Parts B and C P.L. 108-446 FFY 2025 grant application should contact the Office of Special Education Services of the Oklahoma State Department of Education at (405) 521-3351. Any interested party is invited to submit written comments to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services, 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 411, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-4599 or through email to Maria Carrasco with “public comment” clearly noted in the subject line. All comments should cite the section and page of the draft application. All written comments must be received no later than May 16, 2025. All solicitations for the public comment are barrier free. Individuals who speak a language(s) other than English, or have a hearing impairment and require an interpreter, are asked to contact the Oklahoma State Department of Education via e-mail to Maria Carrasco with “public comment” clearly noted in the subject line.
Part B Grant Application
Part B Interactive Spreadsheet
Part C Grant Application
Deadline: June 13, 2025.
The 2024-2025 Vision Screening Report will open on Single Sign-On on March 21, 2025. 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 13, 2025.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Kellie Carter, Program Manager, School Health Services.
As the school year wraps up, districts will want to ensure their early childhood data and processes are ready for the summer.
- Ensure Exit Early Childhood Outcomes (ECOs) are completed for all children exiting early childhood special education by 6/30/2025. While not required, many districts find generating the Child Outcome Summary Form to be a very helpful part of their ECO process Questions about which children need these? Review the guidance and resources on the Special Education Early Childhood ECOS tab
- Reach out to your SoonerStart contact to ensure the district and SoonerStart have a clear contact process for any early childhood transitions that may arise over the summer. Best practice also includes scheduling a time to confirm contacts at the beginning of the school year, as well as regular check-ins to review upcoming early childhood transitions. If you don't know your current SoonerStart contact, please review this statewide map or reach out to Megan Withers, Early Childhood Project Manager for Special Education.
- We would love your feedback about the Early Childhood Data Digging Webinars as well as input for these for the next school year. Please share your feedback here.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services, will be hosting their Open Door session virtually on June 5 - 6 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Virtual EOY Open Door is for individual, specialized assistance supports available as a “first come, first served” model.
Make sure to get registered for the session that is best for your schedule.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have questions, please contact the data team at sesdata@sde.ok.gov or 405-521-3351.
The FY2026 Assurances are now available. Assurances must be completed prior to July 1st. You can access the Assurances through your Single Sign On, then click on the Grants Management/Expenditure Reporting. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to change the Select Fiscal Year to 2026 then proceed to create your Assurances.
If assistance is needed, please contact your finance specialist.
Did you know that Oklahoma districts who OPT-IN to interview their own students for Indicator 14 have raised their response rates while also connecting with students to find out what they have been doing since leaving high school?
View the OSDE-SES/Data-Driven Enterprises Indicator 14: Post-School Outcomes recorded webinar today! This short 7-minute webinar explains the process for districts opting-in to survey their 2023-2024 exiters, as well as providing information for districts who want learn more about the OPT-IN process. It’s not too late to submit the OPT-IN form to conduct the Indicator 14: Post-School Outcomes Survey with your exiters!
The deadline to OPT-IN is May 31st and the Phone Interview window is June 18 – July 18, 2025.
Questions, please contact Claudia Beckner.
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 Oklahoma Deaf Education conference will be held June 2-5, 2025 at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in Chickasha. Conference registration is open! Please see the flyer for more details. You will also find the conference schedule, hotel information, as well as information regarding reimbursement for districts through Project 613.
The Oklahoma Educational Interpreter Training Institute (OEITI) pre-conference is open only to educational interpreters who have not yet achieved QAST level IV or EIPA 4.0 or higher. The Deaf Education Conference tracks are open to all Teachers of the Deaf, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Specialists, and Educational Interpreters.
Please contact Traci Prince for more information.
The Office of Special Education Services in partnership with the American Institute for Research (AIR). The training will focus on teaching LEAs to understand the essential components that are required to implement the MTSS framework for districts in the state of Oklahoma.
The Office of Assessments is looking for educators who help prepare students with disabilities and/or English Language Learners for the Oklahoma School Testing Program. This group will review and make accessibility recommendations to test items for ELA and math in grades 3-8; science in grades 5, 8, and 11; and US History in grade 11. Attendees will be divided into two grade bands: those reviewing items for grades 3-5 or those reviewing items for grades 6-8 and 11.
The workshop will be held June 16-20 in Oklahoma City. Participants will be provided a $170 per day honorarium, provided they are allowed to accept it under their school contract. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided to all attendees. Participants who live more than 65 miles away (one way) may be provided lodging.
If you are interested in attending, please fill out this Google Form.
Please reach out to the Office of Assessments if you have any questions at 405-521-3341.
2025 OKMTSS Summer Conference is for all educators, including general education and special education, administrators, school-professionals, and related professionals. Sessions include information around MTSS implementation, universal screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic testing, data-driven decisions, multi-tiered resources, and special education services.
This conference will have traditional presentations and hands-on sessions to practice implementation. Participants are recommended to bring a computer device.
Hotel registrations can be found at the Reed Center and Project 613 funding can be used for hotel and travel reimbursement.
Location at the Reed Center.
- June 18th- MTSS Needs Assessment (8:00-11:00)
- June 18th- Pre-Conference OKMTSS 101 (12:00-4:00)
- June 19-20th- Main Conference (8:30-4:00)
Register here.
Hosted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, this high-energy event brings together passionate educators, game-changing ideas, and the people shaping the future of Oklahoma’s classrooms.
Join us on Friday, June 27, 2025 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Register for InspireOK.
Join us to explore innovative strategies, share best practices, and help shape the future of education in Oklahoma!
💡 Educators. Administrators. Industry Leaders.
📣 Let’s connect. Let’s inspire. Let’s lead.
Behavioral Science for Teachers (BeST) Training with Dr. Scott Singleton
OSDE-Special Education Services is pleased to announce its partnership with Dr. Scott Singleton, to provide behavioral science training to district staff to increase its capacity in addressing significant student behavior. Dr. Scott Singleton BCBA-D, NCSP has worked in the behavioral science and education field for over 20 years. He has served as a school psychologist in multiple states, the response to intervention coordinator for a large urban school district, clinical director for a school for children with developmental disabilities and is currently a professor of psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma where he oversees Behavior Central, a center for teacher training and behavioral consultation, and the master’s program in behavior analysis.
** Sessions will be held in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, OR Woodward (Sessions are the exact same at all locations) on the dates provided. Participation requires a district certified team including a minimum of two with a maximum of four district-certified staff personnel. Enlisted certified team members are required to attend both days of training.
- July 14-15, 2025. El Reno
- July 16-17, 2025. Jenks
- July 28-29, 2025. Woodward
Session Days will include:
DAY ONE:
Session 1 – Science of Behavior; Rationale for a Scientific Approach; Motivation – What motivates behavior?; Cues – What triggers behavior?; Functions – What causes behavior to be resistant to Change?
Session 2 – Assessment of Behavior; Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA); Progress Monitoring;
DAY TWO:
Session 3 – Behavior Intervention; Level 1 Prevention Strategies; Level 2 Targeted Interventions; Level 3 Intensive Interventions.
If you are interested in sending a certified team to attend the BeST training, please fill out the application form. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Salisbury.
The first annual Oklahoma Special Education Conference is taking place at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel on July 21-23, 2025. This three-day conference will be an educational event with the opportunity for networking, connecting, and learning alongside statewide special education professionals.
Participants encouraged to attend are certified public school employees such as: administrators, special education directors, special education teachers, related service providers (e.g., OT/PT/SLPs, etc.), school psychologists/school psychometrists. Participants will be provided professional development in understanding compliance issues surrounding the evaluation, eligibility, and IEP development during the first two days of the conference.
Tuesday evening, July 22nd, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM an exclusive dinner for Directors of Special Education will be held at the Omni with a special guest speaker and an awards ceremony.
The last day of the conference will provide break-out sessions for participants to choose learning opportunities involving evidence-based practices, additional in-depth compliance areas, including presentations by partners with OSDE-SES who provide training and consultation services for LEAs. Spend time with our sponsors who join the conference to share resources and products to support our work to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
Project 613 and Project 615 may be utilized for reimbursement of hotel and travel expenses, as well as possible stipends for staff not on contract during the summer.
Registration is OPEN.
Project 613 & the Oklahoma Special Education Conference
The Oklahoma Special Education Conference will take place during FY26. Due to this, Districts will need to keep the following in mind when submitting Project 613 Applications regarding the conference:
- The conference will not show up in Grants Management System (GMS) / Single Sign On until July 1, 2025. Once it is on the dropdown menu, Districts will be able to apply for 613 funds to reimburse travel and hotel expenses associated with attending the conference.
- Conference and hotel reservations (not purchases) will need to take place in FY25.
- All hotel and travel-related expenses will be incurred in FY26.
For additional information or questions related to Project 613, please contact Abby Johnson.
Thank you for joining us on our first annual SPARK Conference. We aim to aid approximately 260 Early Career Special Education Teachers with the tools, collaboration opportunities, and ongoing supports for the 2025-2026 school year.
Registration link can be found on our SPDG Link Tree
The SPARK Conference offerings:
One Full Week: Virtual and In-Person Conference
- July 28- Day 1 Virtual 8:00AM-4:00PM
- July 29- Day 2 Virtual 8:00AM-1:00PM
- July 30-Day 3 In-Person @ Metro Tech in Oklahoma City 7:30AM-4:00PM
- July 31- Day 4 In-Person @ Metro Tech in Oklahoma City 7:30AM-4:00PM
- August 1- Day 5 In-Person @ Metro Tech in Oklahoma City 7:30AM-12:30PM
On going support through Asynchronous learning within the SPARK Camp Module
Monthly SPARK Communities of Practice
OSDE Partnership with CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) by application/registration. Project 613 funding can be used for hotel and travel reimbursement.
Please bring computers, student data, case load, bell schedules, Ed Plan logins, writing materials, and any other information you deem important to helping you build a successful start to the 2025-2026 school year.
Pathways to Proficient Reading is an online professional development experience introducing the Science of Reading to educators and is a training opportunity to earn a Micro-Credential in Dyslexia from the AIM Institute for Learning & Research. Participants will:
- Explore practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance instructional practices for language and literacy.
- Engage in a variety of interactive creative content, with real-life situations and downloadable resources—so much more than instructional videos.
- Receive expert AIM Instructors/facilitators in live sessions focused on classroom application of course content.
Please join us, in-person, at one of the AIM Kick-Off meeting opportunities this summer to learn about the AIM course titled Pathways to Proficient Reading:
- July 28th OKC (AM or PM session)
- July 29th Ardmore (AM or PM session)
- July 30th Jenks (AM or PM session)
NOTE: You must either be a certified general education teacher, a certified special education teacher, a reading specialist, a Title 1 Reading teacher, a speech-language pathologist, or another certified position teaching reading to attend the AIM Institute course. There will be no online AIM Kick-Off meetings. Participants will receive additional instructions and course materials at the AIM Kick-Off session.
Register here for one of the AIM Kick-Off sessions. Please watch the “Informational” video prior to clicking "next" when at the main registration page.
Questions can be directed to Megan Salisbury.
Join us on July 31, 2025 - August 1, 2025 for the OSDE Annual School Governance Conference - a transformative experience designed for educational leaders, administrators, and school board members committed to advancing governance strategies that strengthen school effectiveness and drive student success. This event offers a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and professional development, equipping participants to exchange ideas, explore best practices, and navigate emerging challenges in education.
OSDE will lead specialized sessions that provide in-depth insights into complex regulatory changes, support the implementation of innovative educational programs, and optimize financial and operational resources to deliver measurable improvements in student outcomes. These hands-on learning experiences equip attendees with practical strategies for fostering transparent, accessible, and strategic governance, reinforcing the shared mission of ensuring high-quality education for all students.
For more information and registration, please see OSDE School Governance Conference.
Districts may now submit 2024-2025 school year documentation to receive bonus points. Bonus Points are located on the Annual Determination Report to be released November 2025. Districts can earn up to two (2) bonus points for professional development, transition planning and/or parent advisory committee meetings. All bonus point documentation must total 3 hours for each event. For professional development bonus points complete the survey and provide the required documentation. The professional development bonus point survey is located in EdPlan. Log-into EdPlan, select Tools>LEA> Document Library>PD Bonus to access the survey. Complete the
survey and upload professional development documentation (summarized titled agenda with sign-in sheet), transition planning and/or parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab.
To receive bonus points the required documentation must meet the following criteria:
- Professional development events must have a total of 3 hours for one topic.
- Professional development event can be divided into 1 or more segments.
- Professional development requires both general education and special education teachers.
- Professional development must focus on areas related to special education.
- Professional development documentation requires topic title, event date, summarized agenda and sign-in sheet.
- Transition Planning meetings must have a total of 3 hours.
- Parent Advisory meetings must have a total of 3 hours.
- Meetings can be divided into 1 or more segments.
- Transition planning documentation requires titled summarized agenda and/or meeting minutes including event date with sign-in sheets.
- Parent advisory committee meetings require titled summarized agenda and/or meeting minutes including event date with sign-in sheets.
- All event documentation must have title, event date and summarized agenda.
Districts that are assigned DMR "Level 2, 3, or 4" support will receive professional
development bonus points providing all monitoring requirements are completed timely.
Districts that are assigned DMR "Level 1" support and/or "Compliance" must complete and submit the bonus professional development survey with additional professional development documentation.
All required bonus point approval documentation must be complete and submitted timely. Required documentation for bonus point approval includes the bonus survey, summarized agendas, committee meeting minutes and sign-in sheets. If required documentation is incomplete and/or does not meet bonus professional development requirements, then requirements have not been met for bonus point approval.
Email the monitoring coordinator when survey is submitted and/or for additional information:
Letters A-M contact Kristen Coleman
Letters N-Z contact Felica Denton
Submission deadline is Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The link for the 2024-25 Alternate Diploma Collaboratives Google folder has changed. This Google folder contains subfolders for Alternate Diploma Recordings 24-25 and Alternate Diploma Slide Decks 24-25 from this year's quarterly collaboratives, along with subfolders for the Alternate Diploma Standards/Essential Elements and updated Guidance Briefs & Memos.
As 2024-25 school year comes to a close, please reference these documents as needed:
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.
Educational Interpreter Registry - Oklahoma State Department of Education
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