Special Education - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Special Education Updates Archive

graphic of puzzle pieces showing how eight key components all interlock to form complete Components of General Supervision: Fiscal Management, Integrated Monitoring, Sustaining Compliance & Improvement, Implementation of Policies and Procedures, Technical Assistance & Professional Development, Dispute Resolution, Data, and SPP/APR

As the State Educational Agency, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has responsibility for general supervision under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). DESE provides technical assistance and monitors local education agencies’ (LEAs) implementation of IDEA and state special education law. General supervision has eight distinct but interconnected components, creating a cohesive system.

Information from Special Education Leaders Meetings
June 13, 2025	Presentation 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	Presentation 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	Presentation 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	Presentation 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	Presentation 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.
Special Education Leaders Past Meetings

Last Updated: June 18, 2025

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