On this page are resources and information from the Department, the U.S. Department of Education, and other sources regarding special education in the COVID-19 environment. The page is update additional guidance is available.
April 9, 2021 — Presentation 
Focus of this call was the new dyslexia guidance. Also reviewed information on compensatory services, summer educational services, in-person learning, modified competency determination and reviewed information about upcoming departmental meetings and events.
March 26, 2021 — Presentation Recording 
Discussions on Return to in-person learning; Special education transportation guidance; Summer educational services; Dyslexia guidelines; Modified competency determination; and DDS Advisory.
February 12, 2021 — Presentation Recording Discussions on new compensatory services for students during the 2020-2021 school year, information on team meetings for students who are participating in remote learning programs, new information on signatures for parental consent for initial evaluation, reevaluation, or the provision of special education and related services, 258 grant, Rethinking discipline/Significant disproportionality, Procedures for temporary waiver of classroom ratios in preschool inclusionary classrooms, Modified Competency Determination (CD) Information for Students Reported as SP ("special education beyond grade 12") in SIMS, MCAS and MCAS Alternate Assessment, February 5th Question and Answers Follow Up, Extended Evaluations, Restraint Reduction and Q and A session.
February 5, 2021 — MCAS and MCAS-Alt Update: Question and Answer
January 22, 2021 — Presentation Recording Discussion about the updated FAQ, the Autism Insurance Resource Center, and guidance on student participation, safety, and wellbeing, Meeting also covered updates on student assessment, equitable services, and dyslexia services.
December 11, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on dyslexia guidelines, updates on the special education targeted grant funding, updates on LRE in remote and hybrid instruction, and other general updates.
November 20, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on Serving English learners (ELs) with disabilities during in-person, hybrid, and remote learning, creating developmentally appropriate learning environments for early childhood programs (Preschool up to grade 3) during the COVID-19 pandemic, grant announcements FC247 and FC298, updates on the IEP Improvement Project, including announcement of early adopters, and other pertinent special education and COVID-19 topics.
November 6, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on Governor Baker's new mask order, grant funding including allowable costs, early adopters for the Individualized Education Program (IEP) improvement project, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and MCAS Alternate Assessment, significant disproportionality in special education update and remote attendance.
October 23, 2020 — Presentation Discussion on the IEP improvement project, procedures for temporary waiver of classroom ratios in preschool inclusionary programs, information on upcoming events, the Massachusetts dyslexia guidelines, optional/free antigen testing program and other pertinent special education information.
October 9, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on remote assessment, two new FAQs from OSEP and OCR, and providing least restrictive environment for preschool children and alternative compliance procedures for inclusionary programs for young children.
September 25, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on a variety of issues related to reopening, including remote and in-person assessment and safety considerations for in-home services. Also discuss MCAS-Alt, and significant disproportionality in special education. Includes a presentation on tele-assessment from Dr. Catherine C. Vieira-Baker of South Coast Educational Collaborative.
September 22, 2020 — Tele-Assessment Webinar Presentation Recording
Webinar presented by Dr. Bill Mautz of Children's Neuropsychological Services and Dr. Joe Moldover of Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society. The webinar covers basics, limitations and challenges of tele-assessment. The presenters also demonstrate tele-assessment and discuss options for remote vs. modified in-person assessments.
Disclaimer: DESE is committed to supporting general and special educators, administrators, related service providers, and parents in their efforts to work together to meet the needs of students. DESE is providing this webinar as a service. This does not represent an endorsement or recommendation by DESE.
September 3, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on updated FAQ, and reviews key information related to special education during the pandemic. Also provides information about upcoming events, trainings and resources.
August 20, 2020 — Presentation Recording Discussion on new COVID-19 compensatory services technical assistance and the parent communication documentation template
August 6, 2020 — Presentation Recording Update on multiple guidance and documents including discussions on preschool inclusion, deaf and hard of hearing program configuration, tele-assessment best practices and district plans for the Fall and forthcoming COVID-19 Compensatory Services and Recovery Support document.
July 23, 2020 — Presentation Recording Guidance Documents and language access for families as school resumes.
July 9, 2020 — Presentation Recording Comprehensive guidance for school year 2020-2021
June 18, 2020 — Presentation Recording Lessons learned from colleagues
June 12, 2020 — Presentation Recording Updates, summer guidance continued
June 9, 2020 — Recording Summer guidance
June 5, 2020 — Presentation Systemic racism and being an antiracist educator, updates
May 29, 2020 — Presentation Remote progress monitoring, transition from Part C (EI), SEL guidance
May 22, 2020 — Presentation Timelines guidance, resource guide & family engagement
May 15, 2020 — Presentation Guidance on timelines, remote assessment
May 8, 2020 — Presentation Extended School Year (ESY), timelines, CARES Act
May 1, 2020 — Presentation Early childhood transition, timelines, secondary transition
April 17, 2020 — Presentation Timelines, going deeper in previous topics
April 9, 2020 — Presentation Resource updates, remote learning plans
April 3, 2020 — Presentation Remote service delivery, procedural topics
March 26, 2020 — Presentation Shifting to remote instruction