Happy New Year, Leaders!

On February 1st, I was fortunate to participate in a collaborative meeting supporting principal leadership in ensuring equitable opportunities for every child, which was jointly sponsored by the 'Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform' (CEEDAR) Center and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This was an impressive gathering of OSEP- and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education- funded technical assistance (TA) centers and national organizations, who understand the critical role principals play in supporting teachers, and ultimately improving outcomes for all students, especially students with disabilities. 

During this full day meeting, TA center and national organization leaders discussed the recently released PSEL 2015 and Promoting Principal Leadership for the Success of Students with Disabilities, and identified current resources and future collaboration efforts to support States as they implement these standards. I commend all the participants and the folks at CEEDAR and CCSSO for raising awareness of the important role principals play in the education of students with disabilities, and for their ongoing commitment to leveraging their expertise and resources! 

Differentiated Monitoring and Support!

OSEP's Monitoring and State Improvement Planning division is following up with States that were designated as targeted or intensive for one or more areas in their Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) notices.  OSEP is working collaboratively with States designated as intensive to plan monitoring and support activities that address areas of need.  Although much of the work will be conducted virtually, there will be a few on-site visits scheduled to occur in the next several months.  We are currently working with State staff to determine dates for those visits.  If you have any feedback on the DMS process, please don't hesitate to send it to our DMSfeedback@ed.gov address.

National TA Call: Correctional Education!

OSEP’s next national technical assistance (TA) call is scheduled for February 9, 2017 and will focus on correctional education.  The call will provide State education agency staff and OSEP-funded TA providers with (1) more information about OSEP’s focus area of correctional education, (2) the data used in correctional education DMS designations, and (3) examples of activities OSEP may engage in to support States around correctional education.  Conference line and WebEx information will be provided in an email notification and will also be posted to GRADS360.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has published A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities.  This guide advances our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce.

This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities:

• Opportunities and programs in Transition Planning;
• Transition services and requirements, as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act;
• Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and
• Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.

OSEP Updates DCL on Preschool LRE

In January, OSEP released an updated Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) related to Preschool Least Restrictive Environments (LRE). The DCL covers:

• Key statutory and regulatory requirements,
• Preschool placement options,
• Reporting educational environments data for preschool children with disabilities, and
• Use of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funds for preschool children with disabilities.

Much of the information provided is reaffirming our guidance from the past, but we have included new clarification around definitions, data collection, and funding.

ED and HHS Release Joint Statement on Collaboration and Coordination of MIECHV and IDEA Part C

This joint statement from the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services sets a vision for stronger partnerships, collaboration, and coordination between awardees of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) and the IDEA Part C Program, which provides early intervention services to children with disabilities, birth through age two, and their families.

The IRIS Center has released two new modules for educators on Autism Spectrum Disorder:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1): An Overview for Educators provides information on the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as an overview of the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination of ASD. Resources include notes on instructional considerations for teachers who have children and students with ASD in their classrooms, as well as things to keep in mind when working with the families of those children and students.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 2): Evidence-Based Practices highlights strategies that have been shown to be effective in teaching appropriate behaviors and skills, and decreasing inappropriate behaviors with children and youth with ASD. It also explores several strategies that are particularly effective with young children, elementary and middle school students, and high school students.

We're excited for the upcoming 2017 National Title I Conference, entitled Engagement Revolution!

The National Title I Conference is focused on national Title I issues, and emphasizes the need to help every child succeed and achieve at high levels.  Thousands of Title I practitioners from across the country attend the annual conference, participating in sessions which focus on instruction, leadership and policy.  OSEP will be presenting at the conference with our colleagues in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.  

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!

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.