OSEP's September 2022 Update: Director's Message| ED Updates | Announcements | Featured Resources

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OSEP Update

    A Newsletter for OSEP Grantees and Interested Stakeholders

"One child, one teacher, one book,
one pen can change the world"
~ Malala Yousafzai

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September 2022
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In This Issue:

From the Director

Valerie C. Williams

Message from OSEP Director,
Ms. Valerie C. Williams

Dear Friends!

It was so great to collaborate in person with so many stakeholders during DaSY’s Improving Data Improving Outcomes (IDIO) conference.  We at OSEP are so appreciative of the commitment and passion that exists amongst our early intervention and early childhood leaders, providers and teachers across the country. As a follow up to the rich conversations and learning at the IDIO conference, I decided to take a look at some of our IDEA section 618 data, specifically our IDEA Part C exiting data.

In examining the data, during a 12-month period in 2019-2020, Approximately 408,000 infants and toddlers exited Part C. Here’s a one question quiz: What percent of the exiting infants and toddlers were found eligible to continue to receive early intervention services or receive special education services:

  1. 40%
  2. 50%
  3. 60%
  4. 70%

I was surprised that that only 40% of the exiting infants and toddlers were found eligible to continue receiving services through IDEA beyond their 3rd birthday—and it’s a figure that consistent regardless of race or ethnicity. Unfortunately, nearly an identical percentage (38%) of infants and toddlers exit from early intervention due to parental withdrawal, an inability to contact parents, and IDEA Part B eligibility not being determined by the child’s third birthday. Analyzing exiting reasons based on race and ethnicity do show differences in the data. For example: Nearly 14% of white infants and toddlers were found to have competed their IFSP prior to age 3— a figure that is nearly double of other races or ethnicities. Also, white infants and toddlers were generally half as likely to exit early intervention under the categories of “attempts to contact unsuccessful” or “IDEA Part B eligibility not determined.”    

When Congress reauthorized IDEA in 2004, they were very clear expressing their concerns in their findings with the disparate educational experiences and outcomes based on race, ethnicity and English language learner status. Six members of Congress, voted against final passage. To further meet our obligations under IDEA, we in OSEP are having discussions on equity issues. As we mentioned earlier this summer, we’re seeking input on determinations and how we can prioritize equity in our continuing effort to improve results for infants, toddlers and children with disabilities. We received meaningful feedback at IDIO and we’ve created a page on the IDEA website where you can provide input as well. Please take some time this month to share your thoughts with us.

In solidarity,

Valerie

ED Updates

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Office of Special Education Programs Seeking Input on the SPP/APR Determinations Process

As noted in this year’s determination letters, and consistent with the Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, ED is examining how the 2023 determinations process can promote equity. Specifically, we are considering whether and how to use data from the current SPP/APR that can be seen in the Part B and Part C measurement tables, data from the current IDEA 618 data collections, and other publicly available data.

Additional information can be found on the webpage: Office of Special Education Programs Seeking Input: Prioritizing Equity. If you would like to share your feedback, please email SPPAPR@ed.gov and include “Determinations Feedback” in the subject line. Feedback should be submitted by Sept. 30, 2022.  

Announcements

Technical Assistance (TA) Calls

Next TA Call: September 8, 2022 at 4:00–5:30pm (EDT)

Correctional Education

Please join us for our next OSEP National TA Call on September 8, 2022, from 4:00–5:30pm (EDT). Please note that this call will be extended to a 90-minute call.  

During the September call, OSEP invites Part B, State Special Education Directors, Title I Part D State Coordinators, Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Juvenile Justice Facilities Administrators, State Adult Correctional Facility Administrators, Juvenile Justice Advocacy Groups, Parents and Technical Assistance Support Centers to hear the latest on correctional education, collaboration, trends, challenges, and successes. Each federal and state agency will share information and resources to support improving educational outcomes for student with disabilities in correctional settings.

We look forward to you joining us on Thursday, September 8th.

Differentiated Monitoring and Support

OSEP will resume its second National TA Call on DMS 2.0 on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 4:00pm (EDT). As part of the Universal TA OSEP is providing for DMS 2.0, we intend to host periodic DMS National TA calls to provide guidance on specific components of general supervision in coordination with our monitoring activities, or other guidance related to DMS 2.0.

General Overview

  • The goal of DMS 2.0 is to improve outcomes and results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities and their families in conjunction with compliance
  • Our monitoring will focus on States’ systems of general supervision integrating both results and compliance
  • These activities are organized around the 8 components of general supervision

OSEP is using various protocols in our monitoring activities but encourage all States to use them as resources and self-assessments as appropriate. DMS 2.0 monthly TA calls will cover content, best practices and guidance for all State’s on the completion of the various protocols, expectations and address any questions.

Previous TA Call: August 11, 2022 at 4:00–5:30pm (EDT) — Early Childhood Inclusion

(All National TA calls are recorded and typically posted within a week) 

State Performance Plans / Annual Performance Reports (APRs)

We have posted all State’s final SPP/APR final Determination documents (letters and APR submission files) on the IDEA website. We will post the new 2023 SPP/APR submission documents (e.g., memo, instructions, etc.) soon and will discuss those documents on the October OSEP Monthly TA Call.

IDEA Part B/C Grants

The FFY 2022 final grant award letters are posted at: OSEP IDEA Formula Grant Award Letters and Funding Tables (ed.gov).

DMS 2.0

Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS)

The OSEP Technical Assistance (TA) Calls on DMS will resume September 22, 2022, at 4:00pm (EDT).

We hope you watched our recorded session, “DMS Process Considerations and Tips,” during the 2022 OSEP Leadership and Project Directors’ Conference. This session highlighted lessons learned, and tips related to DMS, in addition to a facilitated conversation with State panelists from Cohort 1. The link to the recorded presentation and supporting documents are posted on the DMS section of our IDEA website under “General Resources.”

To review other resources and documents related to our monitoring activities (e.g., DMS 2.0, DMS Reports, and older monitoring reports), please refer to the DMS section on our IDEA website.

Dose of Data

Dose of Data

In 2019–20, Hispanic/ Latino (22.5%), Black or African American (19.68%), and Asian (18.15%) infants and toddlers with disabilities exiting Part C services were more likely to exit without their Part B eligibility determined than infants and toddlers with disabilities exiting Part C services across all the race/ ethnicity categories (16.89%) in the US and Outlying Areas.

Graph of Part C exiting data

Data Sources:

U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts Metadata and Process System (EMAPS): “IDEA Part C Exiting Collection," 2019–20. Data extracted from: https://data.ed.gov/dataset/628c4cca-7c49-4bd0-9066-9130ff3d960b/resource/986979d5-d2c6-4e38-93e7-d1ca0c11aa3a/download/cexiting2019-20.csv

If you are interested in exploring this data visualization further, please use this link to access the interactive version of this display: https://infogram.com/part-c-exiting-dose-of-data-visualization-1h8n6m3omz5wj4x?live

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Scaling Evidence-based Professional Development and Technical Assistance

Despite the identification of professional development/technical assistance (PD/TA) and coaching as key implementation drivers for improving reading outcomes for students with and at-risk for disabilities, evidence-based PD/TA models are often not implemented or scaled in a systematic manner to maximize their potential impact on classroom outcomes. The Lead for Literacy Center (L4L) is addressing this challenge through the Center’s work with the Ohio Department of Education to scale Targeted PD/TA efforts. L4L will be partnering with Ohio’s state Literacy Leads to implement a Training of Trainer (ToT) series based on L4L’s Targeted TA content. The ToT will be conducted throughout SY2022–23 and will expand use of L4L’s Targeted TA content in the state. The Framework used to support L4L’s Targeted TA work can be found on the Center’s website and includes tools and resources for implementation. 

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What is Fidelity?

SISEP and their partners in Kentucky and Minnesota’s Departments of Education have collaborated to produce a brief and a video that explain how to measure effective teacher practices and fidelity, more generally.

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Introducing the New DaSy Data Linking Toolkit!

The just-released Data Linking Toolkit created by the DaSy Center, contains multiple sections that include downloadable tools to support Part C and Part B 619 program staff as they consider, prepare, and successfully link their data.

  • Do you have questions you can better answer by linking data with another program or agency?
  • Are you looking for opportunities to build partnerships?
  • Are you looking for ways to improve your program’s use of data?
  • Are there stand-alone data sets within your own program that you would like to have linked?

The new Data Linking Toolkit addresses these topics and much more! 

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New National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) Professional Development Module

The first module of an important new series for educators is now available! Module 1, “The Impact of Deafblindness on Learning and Development,” provides practical, need-to-know information essential for working with children who are deaf-blind. This is the first in NCDB’s series Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind: Professional Development for Educators. Access it free online and incorporate it into your PD platform. Watch the Module 1 Trailer.

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In Case You Missed It

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OSEP Smart Beginnings — Learning. Now Available for Families, Providers, Educators, and Leaders!

OSEP held its first ever “Smart Beginnings 2022: A Review of Key OSEP Presentations” event August 9–11. This event covered topics that will help families, providers, and leaders support children with disabilities ages birth through secondary transition. Each day focused on a different audience (i.e., families, providers, and leaders) and showcased videos and resources that can help improve results for children with disabilities. OSEP Director, Valerie C. Williams, led the event, focus on the importance of sharing what works for children of every age.

Check out the Smart Beginnings webpage for event recordings, topical videos, and lots of resources!

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COVID-19 Resources

Department of Education

Check the Department's COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel web page for information and resources, including information and resources from other federal agencies.

OSEP’s IDEA Covid-19 Questions and Answers and Resources

The National Center for Systemic Improvement is the primary source for TA resources during the COVID-19 national emergency for IDEA Part B programs. The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center is the primary source for IDEA Part C programs.

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If you have questions or comments, please send them to josiah.willey@ed.gov.

This newsletter may reference and contain links to external sources. The opinions expressed in these sources do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Department Education, nor should their inclusion be considered an endorsement of any private organization.

 

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