 On August 1st, OSERS issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) that (1) emphasizes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities who need them and (2) clarifies that the repeated use of disciplinary actions may suggest that children with disabilities may not be receiving appropriate behavioral interventions and supports.
When schools fail to consider and provide for needed behavioral supports through the Individualized Education Program, it is likely to result in children not receiving the free appropriate public education to which they are entitled under federal law. Resources to accompany the DCL, including a Summary which clearly and briefly illustrates the letter's main points, can be found on the Rethink Discipline Website.
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Message from Ruth Ryder, Acting Director
 Hello Leaders!
Our thanks to all who attended this year's Project Director's Conference, August 1-3. We hosted over 900 research to practice project directors, additional project staff, stakeholders, scholars and federal staff! We were all very happy to be face to face again after our year off. Participants attended topical panels, small group discussions, program area meetings and plenaries. Materials are available for most sessions and can be found online at https://www.osep-meeting.org.
Later in the month OSEP announced that we had reached a settlement agreement with the South Carolina
Department of Education, settling the litigation involving ED's claim of South Carolina's failure to maintain state financial
support for state fiscal year 2010 and any future claims for state fiscal years
2011, 2012 and 2013. This settlement will bolster our commitment
to ensure compliance with IDEA, maintain funding levels in South Carolina, and direct additional
funds toward improving results for children with disabilities.
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 MSIP's Monthly TA Call
OSEP's Monitoring and State Improvement Planning Division will host its monthly Technical Assistance Call for State Directors, Part C Coordinators, and TA Center staff, on Thursday, September 8. We will discuss recently
released Dear Colleague Letters and an OSEP policy letter. You can find links to and descriptions
of the letters in the policy section of this update, and access the call
information on the web at osep.grads360.org.
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On August 22, ED announced the availability of
$2.8 million for a Preschool Pay for Success (PFS) Feasibility Pilot grant
competition for state, local and tribal governments interested in exploring the
feasibility of PFS to expand and improve preschool. The feasibility studies will (1) determine if PFS is a viable and appropriate strategy to implement high-quality preschool
programs that yield meaningful results; (2) identify a broad
range of potential outcome measures; and (3) establish safeguards to protect the
rights of children with disabilities and their families. For more information and a link to the grant competition, visit the Early Learning website.
The Department will also host the following Webinars to provide technical assistance for potential applicants.
Preschool Pay For
Success Feasibility Pilot Technical Assistance for Eligible Applicants:
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 3:00pm EDT| 1hr 30 mins
Audio Call-in:
Phone: 888-790-2037 Participant code: 2775657
WebEx (for web access)
Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 3:00pm EDT| 1hr 30 mins
Audio Call-in:
Phone: 888-790-2037 Participant code: 2775657
WebEx (for web access)
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Policy Letters Released this Month
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August 23, 2016: Letter to Martha Goodman discusses the
calculation of the proportionate share of IDEA funds that must be used by an
LEA to provide special education and related services to parentally-placed
private school children with disabilities, specifically to provide Coordinated Early Intervening Services. The letter also addresses Medicaid
reimbursement and the potential impact on
equitable services to children in such placements.
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August
22, 2016: Letter to Perry Zirkel addresses whether the parties may waive the expedited due
process hearing timeline in 34 CFR §300.532(c); whether OSEP extends legal
recognition to fidelity as a core characteristic of Response to Intervention; and the timeline by
which corrective actions ordered in State complaint and due process hearing
decisions must be implemented.
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August 18, 2016: Letter to Regina Skyer answers many questions regarding multidisciplinary evaluations, eligibility, and screening procedures
under Part C of IDEA: What is a multidisciplinary evaluation? Who determines a child's eligibility under Part C? May a child only be "screened" to determine eligibility? What constitutes screening? Is a child only entitled to an evaluation in a total of three areas of need during the child's time in the early intervention program?
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August 5, 2016: Dear Colleague Letter addresses the requirement
for SEAs and LEAs to ensure the provision of FAPE to students with disabilities
attending public virtual schools.
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August 4, 2016: Letter to Michael Eig provides guidance regarding a parent’s right under Part B of IDEA
to open a due process hearing to the public pursuant to 34 CFR §300.512(c).
OSEP
Dear Colleague Letters, memos, and policy letters may be found on the
Department’s website.

Technical Assistance from our Grantees
Resources supporting English learners!
The OSEP-funded EL Models (Cohort 5) developed a series of
topical briefs for school leaders, educators, and policymakers charged with
implementing or supporting multitiered instruction that supports English
learners (ELs).
 The comment period for the two Assessment NPRMs (published in the federal register last month) will end on September 9, 2016. Find the link to each notice below, and visit the Department's ESSA Resources page to learn more.
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ED on Instagram @usedgov
 The US Department of Education is now on Instagram! Follow us @usedgov, where we're sharing the amazing stories of educators and learners across these United States!
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Follow us on Twitter @Ed_Sped_Rehab
 OSERS is on Twitter with the latest from special education advocates, educators, families and students. Follow us @Ed_Sped_Rehab and tell your friends. We'll see you in the Twittersphere!
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Catch our Snaps!
 What's "My Story" today? ED's Office of Communication and Outreach now features different initiatives and events on our new Snapchat account. Add us at @usedgov!!
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 Send Us Your Feedback and Comments
 We want to hear from you! Do you have suggestions for TA opportunities? Parent resources? Webinar topics? Ideas for things to include in future newsletters? Send them to Charlotte Stein at charlotte.stein@ed.gov.
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