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.

2024 IDEA Part B & Part C Federal Applications

Public Comment period open for both applications - 3.22.24 to 4.20.24

IDEA Part B Federal Application and Public Comment Form – HERE

IDEA Part C Federal Application and Pubic Comment Form – HERE

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).

NE JTI – Revisions to the PEaK Grant (YouTube Video)

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 – Updated 3.28.2024

2024/2025 JTI PEaK Grant Application Scoring Rubric

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.”

INFOGRAPHIC Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education NDE – 2024

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

Conference Information

“Super Systems for Success” is the theme of this year’s hybrid event, hosted by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Office of Coordinated Student Support Services.

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

Registration is $125

REGISTRATION & MORE INFORMATION – HERE!

The summit will feature keynote and breakout sessions focused on four key strands — school safety, behavior, foundational literacy, and MTSS — 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.

More details are available on the summit website, including registering and reserving lodging. Consider bookmarking our summit blog and following us on Twitter and Facebook to receive updates.