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The Special Education Planning and Policy Office at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to offer free professional learning opportunities to support Commonwealth special education leaders.
The professional learning opportunities are guided by the DESE's Education Vision, which envisions equitable opportunities and environments where students feel they belong, engage in deeper learning, and are held to high expectations with targeted support.
DESE partners with districts, schools, and programs to:
Cultivate systems to support the whole student and foster joyful, healthy, and supportive learning environments so all students feel valued, connected, nourished, and ready to learn. Strategic Objective 1 — "Whole Student"
Promote deeper learning so that all students engage in grade-level work that is real-world, relevant, and interactive. Strategic Objective 2 — "Deeper Learning"
Develop and sustain a diverse, culturally responsive, well-prepared workforce and committed to continuous improvement so that all students have equitable access to effective educators. Strategic Objective 3 "Diverse and Effective Workforce"
The Special Education Institutes are aligned with the Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development – HQPD standards
Sessions connect and build upon each other to provide educators with a coherent and useful learning experience.
This page will be updated regularly as new offerings become available.
SEPP approaches outreach and enrollment through an equity lens, giving priority to districts identified through our accountability system as NI districts and districts with significant gaps for students with disabilities.
Particular Education Information and Applications:
Please use the links below to learn more about each Institute and apply. Applications will remain open until each Institute reaches capacity.
June 13, 2025
The focus of this meeting was: 2024-2025 Priorities, OSEP Monitoring Report, Temporary Public Reporting of State Complaint Data, Revised Notice of Procedural Safeguards, Revised PRS Guidance and forms, Clarification on Independent Educational Evaluations, 688 Referrals to DMH, Accessing DMH Specialized Services, Autism: Information for Caregivers, Interpreters in the Education Setting, Implementation of 603 CMR 28.05(7): Parent response to proposed IEP and proposed placement and timelines, Website Update, and more.
May 16, 2025
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- 2024-2025 Priorities; Special Education Updates- OSEP Monitoring Report, Documents for Public Comment, Revised PRS Guidance and forms; IDEA Data- LEA Determinations, Significant Disproportionality, CCEIS; IDEA Fiscal- CCEIS, FY26 Consolidated FC 240/262 Application, IDEA Fiscal , Monitoring, FY24 Proportionate Share for Equitable Services Carryover; Professional Development Opportunity- Literacy Launch institutes, IEP Training for Schools and Districts.
April 18, 2025
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- 2024/25 Special Education Priorities, IEP team Process and Development, Early Childhood Education - Evaluations - Transition; Special Education Updates- SpedEx Alternative IEP Dispute Resolution Option; Department (DESE) Collaboration- Licensure Requirements; DESE Updates- Overview of Proposed Amendments and Public Comment of Regulations on Time-Out Practices, Pre-Approved Vendors for Effective Behavioral Intervention Programs; IDEA Data- Annual Special Education Determinations; IDEA Fiscal- FY24 Maintenance of Effort Compliance, FY24 Proportionate Share for Equitable Services, FY26 Consolidated FC 240/262 Application, General Supervision: Financial Management and Monitoring; New IEP Updates- FC 0274 grant; Professional Development and Technical Assistance- Early Childhood (EC) Transition Collaborative Convenings, Free webinar on IDEA and NIMAS/NIMAC.
February 14, 2025
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- OSEP Monitoring Review and ESEA New Guidance; Special Education Updates- Interagency Review Team, IRT, Paraeducator E-Learning Modules, IDEA Data, IDEA Fiscal, Annual Special Education Determinations, Maintenance of Effort , Proportionate Share, Equitable Services, and GEM$; New IEP Updates- FC 0274 grant, IEP Vendors meeting.
January 17, 2025
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- Restraints and Seclusion in Schools, Fast Facts from OSEP; Special Education Updates- MCD, MCDHH, EOHHS, SLPI, School Based Medicaid, NA & NI Convenings, Early Childhood (EC) Transition, Indicator 11, Significant Disproportionality, CCEIS, Child Count, Meaningful Consultation, Excess Cost, MOE ; New IEP Updates- FY 2025 FC0274 Grant.
December 13, 2024
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- OSEP 2025 Differentiated Monitoring; Special Education Updates- Policies and Procedures, IDEA Data collection and use, LEA Determinations Technical assistance, Website redesign, Champ Software, OASES Monitoring procedures, and PRS General Education Procedures; DDS presentation on 688 Referrals; New IEP Updates.
November 15, 2024
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- OSEP 2025 Differentiated Monitoring; Special Education Updates- LEA Policies and Procedures, Website Survey, IDEA Data- LEA Determinations and Significant Disproportionality; IDEA Fiscal Updates- Child Count and Excess Cost; Technical Assistance updates- Early Childhood Transition, Ni and NA districts; and New IEP updates including IEP Vendor meeting and Family Communication.
October 18, 2024
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision- OSEP 2025 Differentiated Monitoring and Special Education Priorities 2024-2025; Special Education Updates- Interagency review of complex cases, MCAS Alternative Assessment including disproportionality, Significant Disproportionality, and Indicator 7 Data Collection and Entry, Child Count, Resolution Funds, and Equitable Services; Updates for NI and NA Districts; Early Childhood (EC) Transition Collaborative Convenings; and New IEP updates.
September 13, 2024
The focus of this meeting was: General Supervision, Special education, and New IEP. Including 2024-2025 Priorities, OASES Integrated Monitoring Procedures, IDEA Grants, SEIS LEA guidance, and Indicators 7 & 14.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025