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.

As a condition of receiving IDEA funds, the State agency (which is the SEA under IDEA Part B Section 611 and Section 619 and the LA under IDEA Part C) must have a general supervision system. This system includes multiple components such as monitoring to — (1) improve educational results and functional outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and children with disabilities; and (2) ensure that LEAs and EIS programs and providers meet the requirements under IDEA. State General Supervision Responsibilities Under Parts B and C of the IDEA (link to: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/Guidance_on_State_General_Supervision_Responsibilities_under_Parts_B_and_C_of_IDEA-07-24-2023.pdf )

As a condition of receiving IDEA funds, the State agency (which is the SEA under IDEA Part B Section 611 and Section 619 and the LA under IDEA Part C) must have a general supervision system. This system includes multiple components such as monitoring to — (1) improve educational results and functional outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and children with disabilities; and (2) ensure that LEAs and EIS programs and providers meet the requirements under IDEA.

State General Supervision Responsibilities Under Parts B and C of the IDEA

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

“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.

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 September 5, 2024 3:13pm