From the Director
May 2020
Special Education Heroes
Instead of recognizing specific people for Special Education Hero of the Month, I think it would be prudent to recognize all staff who work with students with disabilities.
During the past couple of months, I have read about and witnessed great acts by those who are on the front line daily, working with our students. These actions range from teachers helping deliver meals to placing sidewalk messages in front of the homes of our students. Teachers who had little to no experience with eLearning are now remotely conducting business as normal!
I have had conversations with many people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stories being shared are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Lost jobs, social isolation, and even losing a loved one due to the virus have led some to say “I can’t do this anymore.” My reply has been, “That’s okay, we can’t be Superman every day!”
Whatever the future brings - even if COVID-19 rears its ugly head in the fall - I have no doubt that you will once again put on your super cape and face the virus head on, because that’s what Special Education Heroes do! To each and every one of you, I extend a “thank you” for all that you do!
Dr. Nancy Holsapple, Director of the Office of Special Education
“Creativity is intelligence having fun”~ Albert Einstein
Do you know a Special Education staff member who should be recognized as a Special Education Hero? Fill out a Nomination form today!
New Director Training
Annually, in conjunction with the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education, the Office of Special Education provides training to new directors. This year the event will be presented virtually on Wednesday, July 15, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM EST. Please click here to register.
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Medicaid Provider Enrollment Re-validations Postponed During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) has temporarily postponed Medicaid Provider Re-validations. If your LEA participates in Medicaid claiming for IEP medical services and recently received a notification that it is due for its routine 5-year Medicaid provider enrollment, please see the copy of Indiana Medicaid Provider Bulletin BT202029 posted in Moodle. Included in the copy posted in Moodle are two screenshots of Medicaid’s Q&A regarding Provider Revalidation deadline extensions and related grace periods. This document is accessible in the COVID-19 information included under the Medicaid folder in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community's Fiscal section. Contact Tracy Brunner at the Office of Special Education with questions on this topic.
Free Curriculum Available due to COVID-19
Due to the circumstances of Covid-19, SuperD!ville is offering their curriculum for FREE until August 30, 2020, to support children who learn differently and the adults who work with them.
SuperD!ville is a video based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for kids ages 7-12 with, for example, learning disabilities, Dyslexia, and ADD. The curriculum provides strategies to cope with SEL themes such as self-esteem, resilience, self-advocacy, empathy and belonging and includes:
· 12 short PBS-style videos starring kids with LD;
· For each video, a scripted lesson plan, created by teachers;
· Four hands-on activities for each episode (48 activities in total)
· If you or an educator you know is interested in learning more about SuperD!ville, visit our informational page here.
Updated Information Regarding Evaluation Timelines
The memo originally dated April 20, 2020, has been updated with new information. In addition, to aid in the Office of Special Education's (OSE) monitoring of initial evaluations (Indicators 11 and 12) required by IDEA, each school corporation will receive a pre-verification tool by email. This tool will allow school corporations to check the timeliness of evaluations submitted for the 2019-2020 school year on the DOE-EV and to address any data quality issues alongside submission of the EV, which closes July 17, 2020.
Additionally, the tool can be used to document those evaluations that were untimely or unable to be completed due to the disruptions surrounding the COVID-19 circumstances. OSE will utilize this information for monitoring activities for 2019-2020. School corporations are encouraged to send in the tool as soon as possible. Special education directors should watch their email for the tool and further instructions.
COVID-19 Resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
State Information:
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has created a COVID-1919's Impact on Schools, Remote Learning Resource page for educators and families, and FAQ for COVID-19. In addition, the Office of Special Education (OSE) has created a COVID-19 Guidance and Resources page which includes a Special Education/Service Delivery FAQ page as well as a link to IEPRC's Continuous Learning and Accommodations guidance.
National Information:
The National Center for Systemic Improvement’s web page provides a resource hub for supporting students with disabilities during the COVID-19 national emergency, including educator resources to support remote learning.
IRIS Center has released a free module entitled Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Important Disproportionality Updates
Notices of Significant Disproportionality were emailed to seven Special Education Directors (and mailed to Superintendents) on Monday, May 4. Two districts received a notice of Reasonable Progress. Ten districts were granted appeals due to the calculation of an alternate risk ratio being used for the first time this year. More information on alternate risk ratio calculations for significant disproportionality (as well as calculations related to all categories of disproportionality) can be found in this explanation document. If your LEA did not receive a notice, then you are not out of compliance for Significant Disproportionality and do not have to use 15 percent of your Part B 611 and 619 funds for Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS). The notice included a summary of the data used to make the decision, an explanation of the calculations used, and instructions for next steps.
Information on Indicator 4a/b, 9 and 10 file reviews were emailed to directors and superintendents on May 6. The notice includes a summary of the data used to make the decision, an explanation of the calculations used, and instructions for next steps. Further review of your policies and procedures, as well as a review of a sample of student files, will determine whether any finding of noncompliance is warranted (File Review). Please note that this notice of disproportionality is not the same as the notice of significant disproportionality that carries a consequence of reserving 15 percent of your Part B funds for Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS). More information on the indicators (as well as calculations related to all categories of disproportionality) can be found in this explanation document. Please email Kristan Sievers-Coffer at ksievers@doe.in.gov if you have further questions or concerns.
Apply Now For Visual Impairment or Deaf/Hard of Hearing Licensure through the New Program at Indiana State University!
The PASS Project, in conjunction with Indiana State University, is offering two new programs: Visual Impairment Licensure and a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Licensure.
The Visual Impairment Licensure Program consists of 17 credit hours which can be completed in two years.
The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Licensure Program consists of 20 credit hours which can also be completed in two years.
Summer classes begin on June 8. If you want to learn more about either program, please contact Robin Thoma at Robin.Thoma@indstate.edu .
Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Updates
Learn more about the IRNs!
Project SUCCESS
Throughout April, Project SUCCESS held weekly office hours to support educators during the transition to continuous learning. Guidance and resources are available.
Project SUCCESS offers free paraprofessional training. To access the training you will need to fill out this form.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities:
Building Inclusive Teams : Begins on June 3, it will be a three- part virtual series
2020-2021 On-site Professional Training
Teacher Leader Cohort: Yearlong Cohort
Contact Us
Email: specialeducation@doe.in.gov
Website: https://www.doe.in.gov/specialed
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (877) 851-4106