This month, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has released Significant Disproportionality (Equity in IDEA)  Essential Questions and Answers (Q&A), and the Model State Timeline. These resources were released as follow-up to the Equity in IDEA final regulation, which was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 19, 2016, and became effective on Jan. 18, 2017.  As states implement the new rule, OSERS is committed to providing them support in addressing disproportionality.  

The Q&A is a guidance document, which includes questions and answers on the rule, including the standard methodology; remedies; effective and compliance dates; and a glossary of terms.  It is intended to be used as a resource for states as they begin engaging with stakeholders around the implementation of the final rule. The Model State Timeline outlines different streams of work and the timelines that states should consider as they implement the new rule. 

Hello Leaders!

We've been connecting with our stakeholders and partners in the field quite a bit this year, and we're excited about it! This month, the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR) joined OSEP for a two-day meeting, and demonstrated three of their most widely used technical assistance tools, the (1) Maintenance of State Financial Support Toolkit, (2) Local Educational Agency Maintenance of Effort (LEA MOE) Calculator, and (3) Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Resources Step-by-Step .  Each of these tools can be found on CIFR’s website, along with additional resources and more information about the center.

Also in March, OSEP held the second event in our Virtual Symposia Series, the symposium "Creating Safe, Supportive Learning Environments for Children with Disabilities."

This symposium highlighted core principles related to creating and maintaining safe and supportive learning environments, and why and how States, districts, programs, and schools should consider integrating this work into their improvement plans. Check out the symposium recording and accompanying materials on the symposia archive, housed on the OSEP Meetings page.

Finally, I'd like to send thanks to all who have provided comments on the OSERS Blog post regarding our new Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) resource website. If you have yet to comment, please provide us with your input so that we can develop a site that is relevant and easy-to-use for our stakeholders. 

On March 8, Information Collection Requests (ICRs) for the IDEA Part C and Part B state performance plans/annual performance reports (SPP/APR) were published in the Federal Register. You can view and submit comments for these ICRs on the Regulations.gov website. The comment period is open for 60 days, until May 8, 2017. Changes proposed by the ICRs will go into effect with states’ FFY 2016 SPP/APR, to be submitted in February 2018. The proposed revisions to the SPP/APR are focused on further clarifying existing reporting within the parameters of the current IDEA statutory and regulatory requirements.

Comments in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through Regulations.gov by searching for and selecting the Docket ID number (Part B is accessible here, and Part C is accessible here) or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery.  Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted.  

On March 16, OSEP held its monthly technical assistance call with Part B directors and Part C coordinators to walk through the ICRs, highlighting key changes from the current information collections. The slides are posted here, and additional information can be found on OSEP's SPP/APR Resources webpage. 

On Feb. 13, 2017: Notice inviting applications for the State Personnel Development Grant program (CFDA 84.323A).

Deadline for transmittal of applications is April 14, 2017.

OSEP and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education collaborate at the National Title I Conference

“Engagement Revolution” was the theme for the 2017 National Title I Conference, held in Long Beach, California. OSEP staff presented alongside staff from the Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education on the importance of collaboration between public agencies and their stakeholders, as well as between special education and general education staff at the national, state, and local levels. Staff highlighted key provisions in the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that impact students with disabilities, demonstrating the need for continued cross-systems thinking as staff work to implement ESSA and IDEA.

Kelly Bentley, a project director for the Early Learning Challenge grant in Michigan, leads cross-agency efforts to provide high-quality early learning and development opportunities for children from birth through age 5. Bentley shares with us, in an interview available on the OSERS Blog, that family engagement is a key part of the early learning culture at Michigan's education department. Bentley commends her state’s commitment to promoting meaningful and intentional family engagement in both early learning programs and the state’s work in this area. 

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!

Visit our blog for powerful stories and useful information from parents, families, educators, and practitioners in the field.  Be sure to bookmark sites.ed.gov/osers for future posts!

We want to hear from you!  Do you have suggestions for technical assistance opportunities?  Parent resources?  Webinar topics?  Ideas for things to include in future newsletters?  Send them to Charlotte Stein at charlotte.stein@ed.gov.