Special Education - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Special Education

Information from Special Education Leaders Past Meetings
August 18, 2023	Presentation Recording Sample IEP The focus of this meeting was: Update on new MA IEP, Back to School Information for Special Education; and Other Special Education Updates.
June 23, 2023	Presentation Recording The focus of this meeting was: Update on new MA IEP, new Early Literacy Screening Guidance, Plan for Special Education Leaders Meetings in SY24, and Special education updates.
May 26, 2023	Presentation Recording The focus of this meeting was: Update on new MA IEP, Staffing supports for students with complex medical needs: Panel discussion, Plan for Special Education Leaders Meetings in SY24, and Special education updates.
April 28, 2023	Presentation Recording The focus of this meeting was Special Education updates, detailed review of final revisions to the new IEP form; IDEA Grant changes, and A discussion of the rollout of new IEP form.
March 24, 2023	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special Education updates, An overview of the new IEP form; and A discussion of the rollout of new IEP form.
March 3, 2023	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special Education updates, and a panel presentation Reducing or Eliminating the Use of Time-Out Rooms.
January 20, 2023	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special Education updates, a DESE Problem Resolution System (PRS) presentation and a presentation by Ma Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
November 18, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special education updates and a presentation by Ma Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
October 21, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special education updates, Ma Commission for the Blind, AIM Library, and Early Literacy Regulations.
September 16, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Resources to Support Behavioral, Mental Health, and Social-Emotional Wellness; Extended School Year Transportation Guidance; Time-out Room Guidance; Special Education Surrogate Parent Program; Massachusetts Commission for the Blind upcoming events; and Special education updates
August 2, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special education updates, Special Education Leaders' Feedback Survey, Emergency Licensure Requirements for SY2022-2023, Introducing Executive Office of Education Ombudspersons, Dyslexia Update, and Updates regarding Equitable Services Resolution funds
June 10, 2022	DESE Presentation MCB Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Special education updates, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Commissioner David D'Arcangelo with information about resources and supports available through MCB, IEP Improvement Project update, Updates regarding Equitable Services Resolution funds
May 14, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was educator licensure including emergency licensure, licensure extensions, licensure requirements, Recent special education updates, ESY, IEP Improvement Project update, Updates regarding Equitable Services Resolution funds
April 14, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Recent special education updates, IEP Improvement Project update, PRS complaints update, Updates regarding Equitable Services Resolution funds
March 11, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was Presentation from MassHire to describe their free system to support all schools and districts to meet your personnel needs by identifying candidates, Update on Time-Out rooms and Grant Information, USED Guidance regarding 504 Compensatory Services, DESE/DDS wraparound services information, Attendance guidance, and Information regarding Special Education Determinations.
February 11, 2022	Presentation Recording FAQ The main focus of this meeting was DESE special education updates, Special Education Determinations, and FAQ updates.
January 21, 2022	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was MA Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility Determination Guidance. Special Education updates, DESE's efforts to assist LEA's related to filling positions in special education, family engagement network and professional development series.
November 19, 2021	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was MA Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility Determination Guidance. The presentation also includes AG's Decision on SEPACs and Open Meeting Law, OSEP Child Find FAQ, Shared Responsibility for Special Education Services in Institutional Settings, and updated PL-1 and PL-2 forms
September 24, 2021	Presentation Recording The main focus of this meeting was IDEA Equitable Services. The presentation also includes school district responsibilities for the following topics: child find, consultation, child count, calculations, and services plans.
September 10, 2021	Presentation Recording The focus of this meeting included key information and reminders about special education services for the 2021-2022 school year, such as further information about students with medical needs who require remote services. During the meeting, we will also discuss in detail the Department’s advisory relating to reducing or eliminating the use of time-out rooms, including the strategies, interventions, and supports that schools can proactively use to increase the amount of time students spend learning with their peers.
August 26, 2021	Presentation Recording Focus of this meeting was the 2021-2022 Family letter and FAQ, School Opening Updates, MCAS Alt updates, Long COVID and IDEA - new guidance from OSEP, New Draft Reusable Learning Object (RLO) for Referral section of Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility (REE), and provided a link to a short survey to inform DESE on the best way to make these meetings be of assistance.
July 15, 2021	Presentation Recording Focus of this meeting was updates to the FAQ on compensatory services, equitable services and resolution funds, implementing education in home or hospital settings, early childhood briefs, update on the IEP improvement project, and the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Reports.
June 11, 2021	Presentation Recording Focus of this meeting was forthcoming updates to technical assistance advisory SPED 2014-5, updated reusable learning object (RLO) for De-Escalation and Prevention of Physical Restraint, a new frequently asked questions (FAQs) and individual student accommodations and implementing education in home and hospital settings.
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Last Updated: April 5, 2024

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