Special Education

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Office of Special Education - Our Purpose

To lead the improvement of outcomes for preparing all children and students with disabilities and their families for learning, earning, and living through effective use of data, collaboration, communication, and a framework of differentiated support.

Journey to Inclusion (PEaK) Grant Applications

It's Time to PEaK: Now Accepting Project Funding Applications

Purpose
Nebraska Department of Education’s (NDE) Office of Special Education is accepting applications for project funding available annually to advance Nebraska’s Journey to Inclusion through Continuous Improvement and the implementation of districts’ Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs).

Background
As part of Nebraska’s Results Driven Accountability (RDA) System, all school districts must participate in an ongoing review of their special education program utilizing the Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) process. The process includes an analysis of district data to study relevant data, district infrastructure, and other pertinent findings to identify target areas for improvement. This is followed by identifying measurable results (goals) and coherent improvement strategies that will be the focus of the improvement activities in the TIP. Next, the district reviews the current infrastructure and capacity to implement, scale up, and sustain evidence-based practice. Finally, based upon strengths and challenges, a comprehensive, multi-year TIP detailing coherent improvement strategies focused on improving results for children with disabilities is created.

The NDE recognizes Inclusive Education as a framework to implement many of the evidence-based practices identified in districts’ TIPs. Inclusive Education offers a model for providing high-quality equitable educational programming that improves access and opportunities for all learners. Districts and ESUs that choose to Improve Reading as their General Focus for Improvement and that choose to leverage Inclusive Education in the implementation of their TIPs are eligible to apply for the Journey to Inclusion Grant.

This grant opportunity will advance Nebraska’s Journey to Inclusion through Continuous Improvement and the implementation of districts’ Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs).

District/Consortium Information
I am completing the Journey to Inclusion Grant Application as:

District Requesting Direct Funds

An ESU Requesting for a Consortium

NOTE – Each district within a consortium application must complete an Inclusive Education Needs  (PEaK) Assessment prior to the ESU submitting the application.

PEaK Allocation Listing – NEW ALLOCATION LISTING COMING SOON!

APPLICATION COPIES FOR DRAFTING
You may use the following documents to “Make a Copy” and draft your application.  Final applications must be submitted using the Qualtrics links above.
SAMPLE – Blank District Application
SAMPLE – Blank ESU/Consortium Application

Nebraska finished off #InclusiveSchoolsWeek strong with a highlight video of the work happening in one of the pilot schools. Watch our video and stay tuned as our Journey has just begun!!

As part of Nebraska’s “Journey to Inclusion,” we are excited to work with our partners at Hanover Research to develop meaningful and easy-to-use resources to inform stakeholders about how to support inclusive efforts. This published infographic “Best Practices in Special Education NDE” highlights instructional strategies that not only support students with special needs but all students in the classroom.  These high-impact instructional strategies are also aligned with selections found in the Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP) that schools submit to portray continuous improvement efforts within Special Education programs.

In December 2023, this infographic was reviewed by Nebraska’s Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) and we are excited to share it widely.  Stayed tuned for the next publication, “Benchmarking Co-Teaching Policies & Practices.”

Covid-19 & American Rescue Plan Resources

IDEA Guidance/Parent Resources/Educational Resources

COVID-19 RESOURCES

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN RESOURCES

Recent SPED Updates

2023-24 Split Funding Memo

2023-24 Split Funding Memo

Clarification on guidance for 92 NAC 51 – 009.04 and IDEA 60-Day Timeline for School-Age Children

45 school day vs 60-day guidance (PDF)

Guidance on Special Education Certification – April 2019

Guidance on Special Education Certification – Reimbursable under IDEA (PDF)

Upcoming SPED Events

Decorative Purposes Only - Save the Date for 2024 NeMTSS Summit - All information in the photo is shared in writing below the photo

2024 Nebraska MTSS Summit – Hybrid
“Super Systems for Success”

September 26-27, 2024
Younes Conference Center North
Kearney, Nebraska

Join us this fall for the 2024 Nebraska MTSS Summit in Kearney! The two-day event, hosted by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, will feature engaging presentations and interactive breakout sessions around the theme of “Super Systems for Success.”

Participants may register to attend the summit in person at the Younes Conference Center North or participate in sessions virtually.

Registration is $125 and opens April 15, 2024

About the theme
The summit will feature keynote and breakout sessions focused on four key strands — school safety, behavior, multi-tiered systems of support, and foundational literacy — recognizing the synergy that arises when these individual strands form connections within a strong school system. Sessions will provide educators with opportunities to develop their individual “superpowers” to systematically promote inclusive practices and support staff in improving outcomes for all students.

The summit will serve as an introduction and expansion of work educators are starting or have already begun with NeMTSS workshops and implementation support.

Registration
Registration will open on April 15, 2024, and is expected to close on August 15, 2024, unless capacity is reached before that date. Registration for virtual or in-person attendance is $125. More details, including how to register and reserve lodging, will be available later this spring.

Call for Proposals
Individuals and groups may submit proposals for breakout sessions via Google Forms – HERE!  We are currently looking for proposals for 60-minute presentations that align with the four key strands and are of interest to Nebraska educators.

Breakout sessions will be categorized into four strands to help participants personalize their summit experience. The four strands include school safety, behavior, multi-tiered systems of support, and foundational literacy.

When submitting a breakout proposal, you’ll be asked to determine which strand matches your presentation best.

  • School safety presentations will relate to providing guidance and support to schools to prevent, prepare, respond, and recover from incidents that impact the safety and security of students and staff. More information can be found on the Nebraska School Safety Office’s website.
  • Behavior presentations will relate to strategies to teach, promote, and reinforce positive behavior within a multi-tiered system of support.
  • Multi-tiered systems of support presentations will relate to systems development, including infrastructure and shared leadership, collaboration and communication, a layered continuum of supports, and data-based decision-making.
  • Foundational literacy presentations will relate to high-quality foundational literacy instruction anchored in the most current research that supports the achievement of literacy proficiency for ALL students, as well as support for, and implementation of, evidence-based literacy instruction across a multi-tiered system, including the use of a data-based, problem-solving process.

The NeMTSS Framework may also be referenced to help tailor your proposed presentation to the audience. Proposals must be submitted via this Google Form – HERE! For full consideration, please submit your proposal by April 1, 2024.

Eligibility Guidelines

Eligibility Guidelines by Topic

Policies & Procedures Guidance Documents

Policies & Procedures by Topic

Technical Assistance/Guidance Documents

Developing Local Policies & Procedures Required for Implementation of Special Education Part B Regulations in Nebraska’s Public Schools

Eligibility Guidelines

Equity Guidance – Nebraska – CEIS

Equity Guidance – Nebraska

Extended School Year (ESY) Guidance Document – Aug 2018

External District Monitoring Protocol

GMS Flex Funding Application Preschool and School-Age District Procedures Guidance Document

Guidance on Serving Homeschool, Exempt Students with Disabilities

IEP Facilitation Guide 2020

IEP Special Education Services

Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) Guidance Document – Navigating the T.I.P.

Kindergarten Age Eligible (5-year-old) Preschool IEP and LRE Guidance (Dec. 2021)

Language Assessment Guidance Document

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Guidance Document – Aug 2018

Medicaid in Public Schools (MIPS) Guidance Document

NETA B Preschool Guidance Document

Nebraska Accommodations Guidelines – How to Select, Administer, and Evaluate Accommodations for Instruction of Students with Disabilities (2022)

Nebraska’s Journey to Inclusion – Equity for All Learners Inclusion at Every-Level Guidance Document

Non-Public Services to Children with Disabilities Enrolled by Their Parents in Non-Public Schools

Paraeducator Guidance Document

Part C Levels of Determination Technical Assistance Guide

Part C Procedural Safeguards – Aug 2018

Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Guide – January 2020

Policies and Procedures Guidance Documents by Topic

Prior Written Notice Guidance Document

Promoting Supports for Students with Disabilities Specific to Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Shortened Days Guidance Document

State Complaint Guideline

Supporting the Behavioral Needs of Children with Disabilities Guidance Document

Results Matter TA Document

Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities Math

Tips for Working with a Licensed Sign Language Interpreter
 *Webinar with captioning to support the TA Doc on Guidelines for Educational Interpreters.

Transition Planning Guidance Document – May 2022

Questions and Answers on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Evaluations, and Reevaluations – OSEP 2010

Department Information

Public Reporting and Determination Guides

Public Reporting
Part B Levels of Determination 2017


Early Childhood Inter-Agency Coordinating Council

ECICC Biennial Report to the Governor


Guidance from the U.S. Dept. of Education – Office for Civil Rights

Colleague Letter – Resource Guide on Students with ADHD
Know Your Rights – Students with ADHD


Maintenance of Effort

Federal Proposed Regulations on Significant Disproportionality
Federal Study and State Analysis of Disproportionality

Updated March 15, 2024 10:21am