Special Education

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.

The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has received multiple requests from a diverse group of stakeholders for updated and consolidated guidance interpreting the general supervision requirements of States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While the Federal government provides grants to States under IDEA to administer the law, the responsibility of implementing IDEA begins with States.

Dear Colleague Letter on General Supervision Responsibilities – July 24, 2023

The guidance accompanying this letter is intended to provide States with accessible and actionable information necessary to exercise their general supervision responsibilities to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living; and that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected. Likewise, this guidance provides States with information to support the implementation of a Statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

Decorative Purposes Only - Image links directly to the State General Supervision Responsibilities under Parts B and C of IDEA document

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!!

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 2023 NeMTSS Summit - All information in the photo is shared in writing below the photo

2023 Nebraska MTSS Summit – Hybrid
“Transformations Through Coherence”

October 12-13, 2023
Younes Conference Center North
Kearney, Nebraska

“Transformations Through Coherence” is the theme of this year’s hybrid event, hosted by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education.

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

Registration is $125 and will remain open through Sept. 15.

About the theme
Earlier this year, NDE released an updated NeMTSS Framework and shared a glossary to promote coherence within the department and across Educational Service Units, districts, schools, and programs statewide.

Aligning with the new framework, the summit will focus on using a whole-child approach in the process of implementing a multi-tiered system of support for continuous improvement and providing high-quality and evidence-based social, emotional, behavioral, environmental, and academic support for all students.

Presenters and workshops will provide participants with opportunities to systematically promote inclusive practices and support staff in improving outcomes for 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.

Visit the NeMTSS Website – HERE to learn more about the event, including how to register and reserve lodging. Keynote speakers will be announced this summer.

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)

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 September 5, 2023 3:55pm