specialed
Oklahoma ABLE Tech - Vol. 2, Issue 9
October is National Physical Therapy Month! Check out these AT highlights from our Device Demonstration and Loan inventory that can be used in physical therapy settings and more.
At Oklahoma ABLE Tech, we’re thankful for those in the community who choose to donate their no-longer-used durable medical equipment to our Device Reutilization Program. As we strive to be community-responsive, we have identified the need to update the criteria for acceptable device donations.
Our goal is to ensure the equipment donations we receive are equivalent to the quality of equipment we would want ourselves or our own family members to use. Going forward, we plan to accept only gently used DME that meet higher quality standards.
We will no longer accept the following donations:
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DME that is torn, unrepairable, outdated, rusty, torn, or in otherwise poor condition
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Liquids of any kind – including dialysis solution and feeding supplements
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Syringes or needles
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Medications
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Opened and/or partly used supplies
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Mattresses or non-therapeutic pillows/bedding
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Oxygen concentrators, tanks, or tubing
If individuals have items in poor condition or from the above “unacceptable” categories, we recommend they consider donating to:
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Medical Supplies Network, Inc., in Tulsa, which provides medical supplies to underdeveloped countries
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Local scrap yards for unrepairable metal equipment
If there is an item you’re not sure about, we encourage donors to call our office at 405-967-6010 for clarification. You can also text images of DME in question to 833-751-9128.
Our Device Reutilization program is unique and managed by just a few great people. This change in standard will allow the team to focus more time on getting quality DME into the hands of people who need it. Ultimately, we believe this will allow us to serve more Oklahomans at a higher level of service. For a list of commonly requested DME, visit our website.
You should review your credit report for mistakes at least once a year. Federal law lets you get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company. Right now, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are also offering free weekly online credit reports. Checking your credit report helps ensure the information is correct and up to date. By reviewing it regularly, you can catch identity theft early. Visit the Annual Credit Report website to pull your free credit report today.
d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers can call 7-1-1 and have the Relay Operator dial 1-800-821-7232 for TDD service. To get your credit report in Braille, Large Print, or Audio Formats, visit the Annual Credit Report Accessibility page or call 1-877-322-8228.
If you find a mistake on your credit report, start by disputing it with the credit reporting company (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion). Contact them to ask what information you need to provide for them to review the claim:
• Equifax, 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
• Experian, 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
• TransUnion, 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com
For more information on credit scores, managing debt, saving money, and identity theft, visit ABLE Tech’s Financial Loan Program page.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination, just like other civil rights laws that protect people based on their race, sex, age, and religion. The ADA says that people with disabilities should have the same opportunities in everyday activities as everyone else.
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) updated the ADA Title II regulations. The update added specific requirements for state and local governments to make all their web content and mobile apps meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA. The update also set deadlines for these entities to reach compliance.
To read more about the new ADA Title II regulations, as well as what this means for state and local governments, check out our Digital Accessibility blog post, Understanding the New ADA Title II Rule, by Adam Thiel, our Digital Accessibility Coordinator and Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).
For more information about creating accessible digital content, visit our Digital Accessibility Program page, or contact us at [email protected].
In early August, Dr. Joshua Hawkins presented with Dr. Elizabeth Barker from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) and Emily Rang from Accessible Education Materials (AEM) Education Services at the Office of Special Education Programs conference in Arlington, Virginia. Their presentation, “Improving Data Collection and Quality for Students with Disabilities,” introduced a project that worked with several states and agencies to improve how data on AEM is collected.
Over the past year, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and other agencies helped develop five new data standards. When fully in place, these will help Oklahoma collect important information about how AEM is used in schools, leading to better decisions and use of resources. Oklahoma ABLE Tech continues to find ways to better support teachers and districts in Oklahoma. For more information, visit the AEM webpage or check out the AEM Technical Assistance document.
Clay participated in a device demonstration with NewView Oklahoma and discovered equipment to use at home! Because of his low vision, Clay needed equipment to assist with daily tasks, such as reading and cooking. He found success trialing several devices to increase his independence with these activities.
For reading, Clay tried The EZRED Rechargeable Necklight. It is a U-shaped device that sits around the user’s neck to provide hands-free lighting.
For cooking, Clay tried several devices! The pull string chopper cuts, dices, and minces food. Users add food inside the container, put the lid on with the attached screen, and pull the string to chop. He also tried an onion slicer, large print measuring cups and spoons, and cut-proof gloves.
Clay is discovering innovative ways to repurpose technology, adapting it to his unique needs. This has enabled him to safely engage in his favorite activities. Clay’s family says he is much happier now and is especially happy about his ability to read again.
To submit an AT Success Story, complete our Success Story Microsoft Form.
The Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI), hosted by the Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC), is set for November 6 and 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. OTI covers many topics to help youth with disabilities successfully transition from school to adulthood.
This year, Dr. Joshua Hawkins, department head of Oklahoma State University’s Student Accessibility Services, will present about the laws and steps for receiving accommodations in college for students with disabilities. He will also share advice for parents and teachers to help students prepare for this change. Attendees will learn about the laws, how to request accommodations, and helpful resources for the transition. The goal is to support parents and teachers in helping students succeed in college. Register to attend OTI on Whova.
The ORC has finalized the FFY 2025 Quarterly Meeting schedule.
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Thursday, November 14, 2024, 9:30 am
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Thursday, February 13, 2025, 9:30 am
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Thursday, May 15, 2025, 9:30 am
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Thursday, August 21, 2025, 9:30 am
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Strategic Planning Meeting: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 9:30 am
All meetings will take place at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Rockwell Center located at 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73142. The ORC quarterly meetings are open to the public.
If you need more information or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 405-200-7947.
ORC’s mission is to facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality and lead to the employment of individuals with disabilities within Oklahoma. To learn more about ORC, visit their website.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-3503
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - September 26, 2024 - External
**New** Empowering Hispanic Families with IDEA Knowledge Regional Institute
**NEW** Open To All Schools! Data Literacy Retreat
School districts and sites in the state will be able to participate in the two day, in-person data literacy training that focuses on school system data analysis. Participants who are receiving additional supports with OSDE groups will be prioritized for attendance. Please send a minimum of 2 participants per school site/district team. Participants will also need access to their school's data management system and a device that can connect to the internet during the professional development.
OK Multi-Tiered System of Supports | Oklahoma State Department of Education
Autism Foundation Training.
Please go to the post about upcoming training for paraprofessionals and other support staff.
For more information you can contact: Marisa Singletary (405-802-7828) the Coordinator of School Consultations and Professional Development from the Oklahoma Autism Center.
OSDE-SES is partnering with LRP Publications to bring tailored professional development to all support personnel who serve students with disabilities and assist with improving student outcomes. To access the 10 available courses please print the instructions to create an account for the paraprofessionals or support staff in your district to participate. Only support personnel, please.
For more information, please see the DirectSTEP Flyer.
These professional development opportunities are sponsored by the Oklahoma State
Department of Education, Special Education Services, and the Oklahoma Autism Center.
This collaboration strives to provide a comprehensive support system for public school
educators, early intervention personnel, support staff, and/or pre-service educators.
Please see the Oklahoma Autism Center PD Opportunities flyer for more information.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - September 24, 2024 - Internal
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
OAAP Update
You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. You can find and access information about the 2024-2025 Testing Schedule, DTC Checklist, Bulk Student Upload, Instructionally Embedded Assessment, and more.
**NEW** State Aid Funding for Special Education
The OSDE-SES is providing information regarding the Special Education weights in the 2024-2025 State Aid Funding Formula.
OSDE sponsored events, professional development, and conferences are beneficial to special education teachers and staff. Information about upcoming events can be found on the Project 613 list.
Additional information or questions about Project 613 can be directed to Abby Johnson.
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
All districts receive an allocation of $6.00 per child for the new fiscal year based on their previous Oct 1 child count, with a minimum allocation of $500.00. Districts are informed they must budget those funds by December 31st or forfeit their allocation. All forfeited funds will then be reallocated to those districts that have completed their budget by the set deadline. Those districts receiving an increase to their allocation in the spring semester must complete a budget amendment to budget those extra funds. For questions, contact your finance specialist.
Alternate Diploma Collaborative + Open Q & A Meetings.
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! Meetings will resume quarterly via Teams this year. Several Open Q & A sessions will be offered to meet district needs between the quarterly sessions. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). Join via this Teams link for all ADC meetings and Open Q & A Sessions for this school year! No registration is required, just click the link to join.
- ADC – November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – December 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – January 16, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- ADC – February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – March 20, 2025
- ADC – April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – May 15, 2025
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 252 040 567 180
Passcode: W4xdRc
Exiting Review/Appeals
As you might be aware, exits were not reviewed during the End of Year process because of many districts’ practice of not sending exit data to the state until after June 30. Exits have processed through EDPlan and we are asking that you review your exit report in the next couple of weeks, verify its accuracy and correct any errors you identify.
You can access your district’s exit report through the EDPlan Insights option in Reports, selecting the “End of Year” folder to find the Exit Report for SY 23-24. Verify that the report lists all known exiters in SY23-24 (transfers to other school systems can be ignored) and correct any errors listed on the Error tab.
If students are not listed on this report but should be (or vice-versa), or if the exit reason is incorrect, you may submit a data appeal once you review the five qualifications for inclusion. The three basic requirements are that the record is error-free, the student had an IEP prior to July 1, 2023 and that the student was at least 14 years old on October 1, 2023.
Please read the attached Appeal Procedures document for guidance and support. We will accept appeals through September 27, but do require that districts check the qualifications before submitting a request. All five qualifications are listed in the procedures. We will only accept appeals through the LEA Document Library, since students’ private information should not be sent through email. You must also let us know by email or phone if you are submitting an appeal, as we do not receive a notification when a file is uploaded.
If the appeal is approved, the state office will manually add the student to the baseline report or the district will need to adjust the student’s record. We will let you know what needs to be done to ensure that the student is included in the report.
After reviewing the Appeal Procedures, please let us know if you have questions.
Please know that the delay in seeing the data on the Special Education tab in the Consolidated Report is not due to any issues with your Student Information System or anything on your end. No action is required by districts at this time.
The Special Ed tab will begin to populate Monday, September 23, and will take a few days for all data to display. PCG, OMES, and OSDE have dramatically increased server capacity to speed up the processing time between our systems.
If your Special Education data is not displaying at all on the Special Education Tab in the Consolidated Report by Wednesday, September 25th, reach out to [email protected] immediately. Only Students with an active Eligibility and IEP status as of Oct. 1st will populate to the Special Ed Tab.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
**NEW** Listen & Learn Webinar: School-Based Medicaid Program
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) would like to invite you to attend a Listen & Learn Webinar about the School-Based Medicaid Program. This overview will include information about the fee-for-service and Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) programs. Both programs can provide reimbursement for services schools are currently providing.
These programs can create a SUSTAINABLE source of reimbursement to replace lost funding such as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and WILL NOT affect other sources of reimbursement or funding your district may already be receiving.
Please click on this registration link to register for one of the following Listen & Learn Webinar dates:
https://forms.office.com/r/Ze4vnY3qFN
- Date Option #1 - 10/1/24, 9am – 11:30am, Monday
- Date Option #2 - 10/4/24, 1pm – 2:30pm, Thursday
There will be time to address district questions in each Webinar session. Please pass along this training notice to others at your district if they can benefit from hearing about these programs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact PCG at [email protected] or [email protected]
On September 25th at 3pm, the SPDG grant will be hosting a Community Of Practice event that will elaborate on some of the topics covered in the Communication Through The System module. The SPDG group will bring in a guest speaker to engage with participants and help answer some of their questions about the content.
Anyone interested in joining this Community Of Practice event, please view the Community Of Practice Registration flyer.
School districts and sites in the state will be able to participate in the two day, in-person data literacy training that focuses on school system data analysis. Participants who are receiving additional supports with OSDE groups will be prioritized for attendance. Please send a minimum of 2 participants per school site/district team. Participants will also need access to their school's data management system and a device that can connect to the internet during the professional development.
For more information and to register for this event please view the OK Multi-Tiered System of Supports | Oklahoma State Department of Education flyer.
This training will focus on using assessment results to develop meaningful transition plans for students participating in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP). Watch for two additional locations to be added soon!
Participants will:
- Learn to incorporate transition assessment results into the IEP
- Review case studies
- Analyze transition assessment results
- Use assessment results to identify specific transition strengths and needs and develop postsecondary goals, annual transition goals, services, coordinated activities, and courses of study.
- September 27, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 am) at Red River Tech Center - at 3300 W. Bois D’Arc, Duncan, OK in the Business & Industry Service Center, Room 508-510
- October 10, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 am) at High Plains Tech Center - at 3921 34th St., Woodward, OK in the Seminar Center
- November 20, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.) at Kiamichi Tech Center - at 3205 NE Lincoln Rd., Idabel, OK in the Wayne Crusoe Seminar Room
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
OSDE has transitioned from PEPPER to OKConnect for the Paraprofessional Training Modules and the Long Term Substitute Modules. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO)Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Virtual Registration:
- September 24, 2024- Register Here
- November 7, 2024- Register Here
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
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On-Demand Renewal Training Password Request
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition Flyer.
Paraprofessional Tier II
Paraprofessional Tier II Training and Long-Term Substitute modules are not available on OKConnect. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in either of these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our 3rd Annual Engaging Support Conference.
- November 1, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- January 30, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
- February 6, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)
Professional Development with the SSIP, is designed to support K-3 teams, for a three-year sequence, with developing their early literacy decisions; see more at the link here. The course should be completed by a school's entire K-3 team. Enroll in the course here.
Universal Supports, including an online library of intervention protocols can be accessed at the bottom of the page here.
The annual data-retreat registrations can be located on the courses above or here. Teams should send 2 people from each site or district.
Questions can be directed to Alexa Hudak.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
Educational Interpreter Registry
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - September 19, 2024 - External
These professional development opportunities are sponsored by the Oklahoma State
Department of Education, Special Education Services, and the Oklahoma Autism Center.
This collaboration strives to provide a comprehensive support system for public school
educators, early intervention personnel, support staff, and/or pre-service educators.
Please see the Oklahoma Autism Center PD Opportunities flyer for more information.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - September 17, 2024 - Internal
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
**NEW** OAAP Update
You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. You can find and access information about the 2024-2025 Testing Schedule, DTC Checklist, Bulk Student Upload, Instructionally Embedded Assessment, and more.
**NEW** FY25 Project 613 List
OSDE sponsored events, professional development, and conferences are beneficial to special education teachers and staff. Information about upcoming events can be found on the Project 613 list.
Additional information or questions about Project 613 can be directed to Abby Johnson.
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
All districts receive an allocation of $6.00 per child for the new fiscal year based on their previous Oct 1 child count, with a minimum allocation of $500.00. Districts are informed they must budget those funds by December 31st or forfeit their allocation. All forfeited funds will then be reallocated to those districts that have completed their budget by the set deadline. Those districts receiving an increase to their allocation in the spring semester must complete a budget amendment to budget those extra funds. For questions, contact your finance specialist.
Alternate Diploma Collaborative + Open Q & A Meetings.
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! Meetings will resume quarterly via Teams this year. Several Open Q & A sessions will be offered to meet district needs between the quarterly sessions. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). Join via this Teams link for all ADC meetings and Open Q & A Sessions for this school year! No registration is required, just click the link to join.
- ADC – September 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – October 24, 2024 (4th Thurs.)
- ADC – November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – December 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – January 16, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- ADC – February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – March 20, 2025
- ADC – April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – May 15, 2025
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 252 040 567 180
Passcode: W4xdRc
**NEW**Exiting Review/Appeals
As you might be aware, exits were not reviewed during the End of Year process because of many districts’ practice of not sending exit data to the state until after June 30. Exits have processed through EDPlan and we are asking that you review your exit report in the next couple of weeks, verify its accuracy and correct any errors you identify.
You can access your district’s exit report through the EDPlan Insights option in Reports, selecting the “End of Year” folder to find the Exit Report for SY 23-24. Verify that the report lists all known exiters in SY23-24 (transfers to other school systems can be ignored) and correct any errors listed on the Error tab.
If students are not listed on this report but should be (or vice-versa), or if the exit reason is incorrect, you may submit a data appeal once you review the five qualifications for inclusion. The three basic requirements are that the record is error-free, the student had an IEP prior to July 1, 2023 and that the student was at least 14 years old on October 1, 2023.
Please read the attached Appeal Procedures document for guidance and support. We will accept appeals through September 27, but do require that districts check the qualifications before submitting a request. All five qualifications are listed in the procedures. We will only accept appeals through the LEA Document Library, since students’ private information should not be sent through email. You must also let us know by email or phone if you are submitting an appeal, as we do not receive a notification when a file is uploaded.
If the appeal is approved, the state office will manually add the student to the baseline report or the district will need to adjust the student’s record. We will let you know what needs to be done to ensure that the student is included in the report.
After reviewing the Appeal Procedures, please let us know if you have questions.
Please know that the delay in seeing the data on the Special Education tab in the Consolidated Report is not due to any issues with your Student Information System or anything on your end. No action is required by districts at this time.
The Special Ed tab will begin to populate Monday, September 23, and will take a few days for all data to display. PCG, OMES, and OSDE have dramatically increased server capacity to speed up the processing time between our systems.
If your Special Education data is not displaying at all on the Special Education Tab in the Consolidated Report by Wednesday, September 25th, reach out to [email protected] immediately. Only Students with an active Eligibility and IEP status as of Oct. 1st will populate to the Special Ed Tab.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
**NEW** Community Of Practice For The Month Of September:
On September 25th at 3pm, the SPDG grant will be hosting a Community Of Practice event that will elaborate on some of the topics covered in the Communication Through The System module. The SPDG group will bring in a guest speaker to engage with participants and help answer some of their questions about the content.
Anyone interested in joining this Community Of Practice event, please view the Community Of Practice Registration flyer.
School districts and sites in the state will be able to participate in the two day, in-person data literacy training that focuses on school system data analysis. Participants who are receiving additional supports with OSDE groups will be prioritized for attendance. Please send a minimum of 2 participants per school site/district team. Participants will also need access to their school's data management system and a device that can connect to the internet during the professional development.
For more information and to register for this event please view the OK Multi-Tiered System of Supports | Oklahoma State Department of Education flyer.
This training will focus on using assessment results to develop meaningful transition plans for students participating in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP). Watch for two additional locations to be added soon!
Participants will:
- Learn to incorporate transition assessment results into the IEP
- Review case studies
- Analyze transition assessment results
- Use assessment results to identify specific transition strengths and needs and develop postsecondary goals, annual transition goals, services, coordinated activities, and courses of study.
- September 27, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 am) at Red River Tech Center - at 3300 W. Bois D’Arc, Duncan, OK in the Business & Industry Service Center, Room 508-510
- October 10, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 am) at High Plains Tech Center - at 3921 34th St., Woodward, OK in the Seminar Center
- November 20, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.) at Kiamichi Tech Center - at 3205 NE Lincoln Rd., Idabel, OK in the Wayne Crusoe Seminar Room
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
OSDE has transitioned from PEPPER to OKConnect for the Paraprofessional Training Modules and the Long Term Substitute Modules. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO)Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Virtual Registration:
- September 24, 2024- Register Here
- November 7, 2024- Register Here
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
-
On-Demand Renewal Training Password Request
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition Flyer.
**NEW** Paraprofessional Tier II
Paraprofessional Tier II Training and Long-Term Substitute modules are not available on OKConnect. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in either of these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our 3rd Annual Engaging Support Conference.
- November 1, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- January 30, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
- February 6, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
**NEW** State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)
Professional Development with the SSIP, is designed to support K-3 teams, for a three-year sequence, with developing their early literacy decisions; see more at the link here. The course should be completed by a school's entire K-3 team. Enroll in the course here.
Universal Supports, including an online library of intervention protocols can be accessed at the bottom of the page here.
The annual data-retreat registrations can be located on the courses above or here. Teams should send 2 people from each site or district.
Questions can be directed to Alexa Hudak.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
Educational Interpreter Registry
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - September 4, 2024 - Internal
Solutions for Psychological Evaluations in your district.
Presence is the leading provider of Teletherapy for K12 Districts. We have been fortunate to work with over 20 districts in Oklahoma to date. In 2022 we partnered with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to help with the shortage of School Psychologists throughout the state.
**This year, Presence will NOT be permitted to conduct a Review of Existing Data (REDS) for any students. Please contact Cami Dotson.
***This survey will be used to prioritize districts for the FY24/25 school year Psychoeducational Assessments administered by Presence. In order to be selected to participate, please fill out the following survey in its entirety.
Since state-wide conception, the Medicaid agency (OHCA) has approved over $10 million in school-based revenue to Oklahoma school districts. Schools can currently be reimbursed for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Administrative Claiming. This school year we will also be adding Nursing, Counseling, and Behavioral Health Services. If your school district is interested in learning more about reimbursement through the School-Based Health Services (SBHS) program, please email [email protected] to setup a meeting.
The SBHS Participation Agreement for the school year 2024-2025 is available through the Grants Management System. All districts choosing to use this agreement may begin completing their online application. Follow these steps for application completion.
- Select the correct fiscal year (FY25)
- Go to “GMS Access / Select” and scroll to available applications under IDEA.
- Click “Create” on the “School Based Health Part” line. Once you have created the application it will appear under your applications.
- Please agree to all assurances, upload the entire contract, and submit it.
NOTE: The items below need to be completed:
Page 12: Enter district Information
Signature Page: (must have) Signature, Printed Name, Title, and Date of Board Approval
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
It has been brought to our attention that some misinformation has been shared recently about School-based Medicaid Services. School-based Medicaid Services can only be reimbursed for Medicaid-eligible students whose medical necessity is listed on their IEP. We are working with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to expand services beyond the IEP in the school setting sometime in 2025. Once the Medicaid expansion has been approved, OSDE, along with OHCA, will provide detailed requirements and guidance. We are excited to bring new opportunities for districts to support student services in the near future.
For more information on "current" billing procedures and regulations visit the OHCA School-based Medicaid website. Feel free to reach out to Kellie Carter, Manager of School Nursing Programs with OSDE.
OAAP Update
You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. You can find and access information about the 2024-2025 Testing Schedule, Bulk Student Upload, Professional Development, and DLM Reminders.
IDEA Finance Workshops
Our annual Finance Workshops are now available for registration. Choose the location and date that’s best for you. Hope to see you there!
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
The FY25 allocations for Project 615 are now available. Districts can begin submitting their online budget through the GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your Project 615 budget. Applications must be completed and submitted by December 31, 2024. Districts not submitting a budget by December 31 will forfeit their allocation. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist.
Project 613 and Project 616 applications are now available. Districts may begin completing online budget applications through GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your chosen budget. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist
**NEW** Alternate Diploma Collaborative + Open Q & A Meetings: SAVE-THE-DATE!!!
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! Meetings will resume quarterly via Teams this year. Several Open Q & A sessions will be offered to meet district needs between the quarterly sessions. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). Join via this Teams link for all ADC meetings and Open Q & A Sessions for this school year! No registration is required, just click the link to join.
- ADC – September 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – October 24, 2024 (4th Thurs.)
- ADC – November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – December 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – January 16, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- ADC – February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – March 20, 2025
- ADC – April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- Open Q & A – May 15, 2025
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 252 040 567 180
Passcode: W4xdRc
**NEW** Child Count
Child Count Reporting Webinar for Special Education Directors
Can’t attend any webinar? A session will be recorded and posted to the OSDE Special Education Child Count Collection website for viewing at your convenience. To register, please view the FY24 Data Child Count.
Content includes a review of critical information about child count reporting for special education and updates on a few related topics.
Child Count Collection | Oklahoma State Department of Education
**NEW** Secondary Transition (Severe/Profound): Using Assessment Results to Develop Effective Transition Plans (OAAP)
This training will focus on using assessment results to develop meaningful transition plans for students participating in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP).
Participants will:
- Learn to incorporate transition assessment results into the IEP
- Review case studies
- Analyze transition assessment results
- Use assessment results to identify specific transition strengths and needs and develop postsecondary goals, annual transition goals, services, coordinated activities, and courses of study.
- September 16, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 am) at Northeast Tech Center - at 6195 OK-20 Pryor, OK in the Anglin Building Seminar Center
- September 19, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.) at Kiamichi Tech Center - at 3205 NE Lincoln Rd. Idabel, OK in the Wayne Crusoe Seminar Room
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
The program is geared to provide OK certified teachers with knowledge, tools and resources to instruct blind and visually impaired students in core academics and expanded core curriculum skills.
For more information please see the Oklahoma VI Teacher Institute Flyer.
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
OSDE has transitioned from PEPPER to OKConnect for the Paraprofessional Training Modules and the Long Term Substitute Modules. Districts will not be able to self-enroll participants in these modules. The process for enrolling participants can be printed here.
Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO)Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Virtual Registration:
- September 24, 2024- Register Here
- November 7, 2024- Register Here
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
-
On-Demand Renewal Training Password Request
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition Flyer.
CPI Verbal Intervention
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our Annual Conference for Support Staff for the 2024-2025 School Year.
- September 6, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- November 1, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- January 30, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
- February 6, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
DirectSTEP
OSDE-SES is partnering with LRP Publications to bring tailored professional development to all support personnel who serve students with disabilities and assist with improving student outcomes. To access the 10 available courses please print the instructions to create an account for the paraprofessionals or support staff in your district to participate. Only support personnel, please.
For more information, please see the DirectSTEP Flyer and DirectStep Courses.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
Educational Interpreter Registry
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
Oklahoma ABLE Tech - Vol. 2, Issue 8
September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. Check out this blog post by our Digital Accessibility Coordinator about how to design content for people with dementia.
Read the blog for dementia-friendly design tips.
For more information on digital accessibility, visit our Digital Accessibility Resources page, or contact us at [email protected].
Do you need help choosing Assistive Technology (AT) for consideration, locating funding sources, or simply getting started on the AT assessment process? Oklahoma ABLE Tech staff provides forms, resources, and AT consultations to assist individuals in identifying AT needs to help them increase their independence. Oklahoma ABLE Tech provides AT consultations free of cost.
Complete our AT Consultation Form and an ABLE Tech staff member will contact you to set up a consultation.
Note: Oklahoma ABLE Tech staff does not perform AT Assessments or Evaluations.
If you need assistance completing the form, contact us at 405-744-9748 or [email protected].
We look forward to working with you!
The Special Education Resolution Center is proud to announce a new beginning with our rebrand!
The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) will have its Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 Strategic Planning Meeting on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The meeting will be at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) training center, located at 5307 NE 122nd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73131, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Council meets once a year to plan the goals and activities they want to achieve over the year. Each of the five Committees will meet with their Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) liaison, review their duties as identified by the Rehabilitation Act, and set goals for the next year. Council members use their knowledge to plan activities that will help DRS clients work toward their dream careers.
The meeting is open to the public, and feedback on the new activities and goals is welcome.
ORC’s mission is to facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality and lead to the employment of individuals with disabilities within Oklahoma. To learn more about ORC, visit their website.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-3503
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - August 29, 2024 - External
When an IEP student accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, the State Department of Education (SDE) will notify the Local Education Agency (LEA). If a student from your district accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, their name will appear on a list stored in your document library on OK EdPlan.
To review the list:
- Sign in to OK EdPlan.
- Select "Tools."
- Go to "LEA Document Library."
- Click on "LNH."
You will find a list of IEP students who have accepted the LNH Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon receiving this documentation, the district must update the student’s status in OK EdPlan:
- If the student will not receive an Individualized Service Plan (ISP): Inactivate the student in OK EdPlan using the exit reason “Accepting the LNH Scholarship.”
- If the student is eligible for an ISP: Keep the student active in their enrollment within the Student Information System (SIS) but mark the box indicating that the student is attending a private school and receiving ISP services.
The LNH Scholarship program will continue to approve scholarships for IEP students until December 1 each year. Please check the list regularly to ensure that you have updated the status of any newly approved students.
For any LNH questions, please contact Stacy Eden at (405) 521-4876. For Special Education questions, please contact the Office of Special Education (405) 521-3351.
Communicate with the SIS Administrator in your district as they should know how to work with the SIS vendor to get your data flowing.
The Oklahoma Access and Achievement Program Scholarship and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant are new financial aid opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities attending the IPSE (Inclusive Post Secondary Education) programs in Oklahoma. Enrollment in any of Oklahoma’s three Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) located at Northeastern State University (RiverHawks Scholar Program), the University of Oklahoma (Sooner Works), or Oklahoma State University (Opportunity Orange Scholars) allows eligible students to apply. Check out the flyer for more information about these new opportunities. For even more information visit the Paying For College — Oklahoma Inclusive Post Secondary Education Alliance page on the OKIPSE Alliance website.
Behavior Central will be available again for the 2024-25 school year! Utilizing graduate students in the UCO Behavior Analysis program, public school staff are provided with consultation that includes planning, training, and coaching to assist teachers with the process of functional behavior assessment and intervention design to address behavioral challenges.
For referral information contact Scott Singleton.
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
With over 25 years of experience in schools, we know firsthand the demands of working in the educational system and the need for qualified contract staff. We support schools & their special education teams by hiring qualified therapists and educators for in-person and virtual services.
We staff:
- SLPs and SLPAs
- OTs and COTAs
Psychologists - Social Workers
- SPED Teachers
DHH and ASL Teachers - Blind/VI Teachers
and more
For more information please see the Therapeds Flyer and District Flyer.
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) needs your assistance in recognizing districts that provide innovative and exemplary school psychological services in your state! NASP offers an Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) Recognition Program. However, many districts are not yet aware of this recognition program or its benefits, which include:
- A structured self-evaluation tool, with objective feedback provided by peers
- A mechanism to raise the profile of school psychologists in the district
- A tool to advocate for more effective organizational structures and supports, and a comprehensive range of services
- Formal and public recognition that can be shared in the community and with other stakeholders
- Perks for the districts that participate and earn levels of distinction, such as complimentary NASP Convention registrations and online learning benefits.
To date, only one district has been recognized in your state by the ESPS Program. Yet, we know there are many other districts in your state that are providing services worthy of distinction.
Would you please forward this message to your district special education administrators' listserv? As they are closing out and reflecting on the current school year and making plans for next fall, please encourage district special education administrators to consider promoting their school psychological services.
For additional information about the ESPS Program, please see the attached brochure or the NASP ESPS. You may also contact Leigh Ann Fisler, the co-chair of the NASP Practice Model Committee if you have questions.
School-Based Therapist Network Webinar
School-based OTs/COTAs, PTs/PTAs, SLPs/SLPAs, join us Friday, August 30th at 12:00pm for our kick-off webinar to learn more about the resources and supports we have planned this year just for you! Register today!
This series of trainings are intended to support districts as they navigate using OKMTSS on EDPlan to be the data management tool for their MTSS systems. Districts should determine if they are in the beginning implementation, partially implemented, or fully implemented stages of MTSS as a district. Sessions will be repeated over time and districts should consider their time, capacity, and needs as they determine their necessary methods of scaling and cohorting their staff to begin implementation of this tool.
September 10, October 15 are repeated sessions from the Spring 2024.
NEW SESSIONS! Including how to use the SABERS Screener: October 8, October 29
All sessions will be recorded and one session from each category will be shared on the OKMTSS website.
Please complete this interest survey to determine additional need for training. For more information and to register for these trainings, please see the Back to School 2024 Flyer.
Teaching personal financial literacy in schools is essential for preparing students to manage their finances effectively. Here are some key strategies and resources to help you as you prepare.
For more information, please see the OKMM August Newsletter.
The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) will be offering in-person regional training for Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue AND Facilitation Training.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering DialogueCrucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a two-day nationally recognized training that helps people have difficult conversations. The focus of the training is not just about communication – it’s about helping people get the results they want and need through their interactions with others.
Facilitation TrainingFacilitation Training is a one-day training that provides an overview of facilitation to include facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, and a toolbox of practical facilitator strategies and techniques to use during a meeting.
Information on how to register can be found on the SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage.
SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage
EDPlan webinar scheduled is now available for registration.
Training Includes:
- Introduction to OK EdPlan
- EDPlan Administrator Training
- OK Eligibility Training
- OK EdPlan IEP Process
- OK EdPlan 504 Training
Please register for the August EdPlan training with PCG.
The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners is proud to announce a new year of monthly, low-cost, 2-hour, professional development webinars!
Teacher and Paraeducator teams are encouraged to sign up together! New topics every month!! Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 am – 12 pm MDT! Discounts for multiple webinars and group rates are available!
Please see the Saturday Mornings with the NRCP for registration.
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- Duncan, Oklahoma: September 3-4, 2024
- Burns Flat, Oklahoma: September 4-5, 2024
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
This intensive 13-hour interactive workshop is designed to teach the theory and protocol for the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), an evidence-based practice based on Applied Behavior Analysis, typical language development, and B.F. Skinner's Verbal Behavior. Using presenter demonstrations, role-play opportunities, and video examples participants will gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience of each of the six phases of PECS. Please join us September 12-13, 2024.
For more information and registration, please see the PECS Level 1 Flyer.
Sessions include instruction and interactive application of evidence-based practices for identifying children with Autism. The course requires a time commitment of five total days for all team members, including a school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and special education teacher.
For more information please see the OAC Flyer and Apply Here.
The 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute will be held on November 6-7, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK. You are invited to be a participant, submit a proposal to present, or be a vendor! This is an important statewide event, where professionals and advocates come together to share knowledge and strategies for improving the transition process and life outcomes for youth with disabilities.
This year’s annual OTI will cover a variety of topics critical to successful transitions, including:
- Opportunity Gaps and Barriers
- Competitive Integrated Employment
- Family and Youth Engagement
- Interagency Collaboration and Transition Planning
- Post-Secondary Education
- Independent Living
The Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) encourage proposals that provide innovative approaches, evidence-based practices, and collaborative solutions to these key areas. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions and share your expertise with a dedicated audience.
- Proposal Submission Guidelines are listed in the Call for Presenters
- If you are interested in presenting a topic in a workshop setting as part of this conference, please submit by 11:59 PM Central Time on August 31, 2024.
Please contact Yolanda Scott for more information.
We look forward to receiving proposals and thank you for your commitment to enhancing transition outcomes for youth with disabilities!
Grand Canyon University
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A LICENSED TEACHER!
Grand Canyon University is proud to announce the launch of its National Center for Teacher Preparation. Central to this initiative is our pledge to make tuition affordable and education accessible with generous scholarships designed for school employees looking to obtain their initial teacher licensure.
We want to help future educators achieve their educational dreams and help change the landscape of prepared teachers in Oklahoma. To learn how you can start your journey and learn more about this impactful new scholarship, please reach out to Tracy Presson, local Oklahoma counselor, at [email protected] or go to Get Started on Your Degree | Grand Canyon University (gcu.edu)
We look forward to joining you on your educational journey! Questions? Please contact Tracy Presson at 405-999-5584.
This program at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma focuses on foundational Special Education practices related to instructional strategies for students with autism and other exceptionalities, remaining compliant with Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
For more information, please see USAO Flyer.
The Oklahoma State University offers a 36-credit online master's degree in special education that focuses on working with children with mild/moderate disabilities in special education and general education classrooms.
For more information on OSU Online Boot Camp, please see the OSU Boot Camp Flyer.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma *sold out
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
Beginning with the incoming 2024-2025 school year districts requesting training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills are encouraged to send an employee to become a Certified Trainer for CPI. Once certified to become a trainer the said employee will be certified to train others in their place of employment. Beginning with the forthcoming school year OSDE will be transitioning to Verbal Interventions only and will not train individuals in the disengagements or restraints in CPI. Please note the dates, locations, and the information for contacting the CPI Senior Territory Manager for Oklahoma below.
- Associated costs to districts
reimbursable through Project 615 - Participants become certified to train
others in their place of employment.
Location and Date:
- Oklahoma City
- December 10, 2024-December 12, 2024
- Tulsa
- October 15, 2024-October 17, 2024
- October 15, 2024-October 17, 2024
Jaime Schroeder, Schedule a Call Senior Territory Account Manager at CPI for Kansas, Oklahoma & Nebraska Crisis Prevention Institute 10850 W. Park Place, Suite 250 • Milwaukee, WI 53224 Direct 414.441.1750 • crisisprevention.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaime-schroeder
Professional Development Opportunities
These professional development opportunities are sponsored by the Oklahoma State
Department of Education, Special Education Services, and the Oklahoma Autism Center.
This collaboration strives to provide a comprehensive support system for public school
educators, early intervention personnel, support staff, and/or pre-service educators.
Please see the Oklahoma Autism Center PD Opportunities flyer for more information.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
Center on Transition Innovations
The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at Virginia Commonwealth University continues providing resources for each month’s focus, with August highlighting Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy! They also offer free self-paced courses for families, professionals, and youth on Fundamentals of Transition Planning, Work-Based Learning, Get Ready for College, Get Ready for Your Career, and Get Ready for Independent Living.Check out the resources for this month as they are introduced weekly.
Monthly Theme
The CTI theme for August 2024 is Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy.
Resources for AugustThis month, we are focusing on self-determination and self-advocacy. Cultivating these skills empowers students with disabilities to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and advocate for their own needs. Understanding and fostering self-determination and self-advocacy is key to successful transitions in education, employment, and independent living.
Stay tuned for the following resources:
- Fostering Self-Determination in Higher Education
- Instruction in Self-Advocacy
- Self-Determination Research Summary
- Spotlight Virginians: Student Success Story
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - August 27, 2024 - Internal
Solutions for Psychological Evaluations in your district.
Presence is the leading provider of Teletherapy for K12 Districts. We have been fortunate to work with over 20 districts in Oklahoma to date. In 2022 we partnered with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to help with the shortage of School Psychologists throughout the state.
**This year, Presence will NOT be permitted to conduct a Review of Existing Data (REDS) for any students. Please contact Cami Dotson.
***This survey will be used to prioritize districts for the FY24/25 school year Psychoeducational Assessments administered by Presence. In order to be selected to participate, please fill out the following survey in its entirety.
Since state-wide conception, the Medicaid agency (OHCA) has approved over $10 million in school-based revenue to Oklahoma school districts. Schools can currently be reimbursed for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Administrative Claiming. This school year we will also be adding Nursing, Counseling, and Behavioral Health Services. If your school district is interested in learning more about reimbursement through the School-Based Health Services (SBHS) program, please email [email protected] to setup a meeting.
The SBHS Participation Agreement for the school year 2024-2025 is available through the Grants Management System. All districts choosing to use this agreement may begin completing their online application. Follow these steps for application completion.
- Select the correct fiscal year (FY25)
- Go to “GMS Access / Select” and scroll to available applications under IDEA.
- Click “Create” on the “School Based Health Part” line. Once you have created the application it will appear under your applications.
- Please agree to all assurances, upload the entire contract, and submit it.
NOTE: The items below need to be completed:
Page 12: Enter district Information
Signature Page: (must have) Signature, Printed Name, Title, and Date of Board Approval
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
When an IEP student accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, the State Department of Education (SDE) will notify the Local Education Agency (LEA). If a student from your district accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, their name will appear on a list stored in your document library on OK EdPlan.
To review the list:
- Sign in to OK EdPlan.
- Select "Tools."
- Go to "LEA Document Library."
- Click on "LNH."
You will find a list of IEP students who have accepted the LNH Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon receiving this documentation, the district must update the student’s status in OK EdPlan:
- If the student will not receive an Individualized Service Plan (ISP): Inactivate the student in OK EdPlan using the exit reason “Accepting the LNH Scholarship.”
- If the student is eligible for an ISP: Keep the student active in their enrollment within the Student Information System (SIS) but mark the box indicating that the student is attending a private school and receiving ISP services.
The LNH Scholarship program will continue to approve scholarships for IEP students until December 1 each year. Please check the list regularly to ensure that you have updated the status of any newly approved students.
For any LNH questions, please contact Stacy Eden at (405) 521-4876. For Special Education questions, please contact the Office of Special Education (405) 521-3351.
IDEA requires school districts to engage in timely and meaningful consultation with representatives of private schools and the parents of parentally placed private school students with disabilities. During the consultation process districts and private schools are required to discuss the provision of special education and related services for qualified students attending private schools within a district's boundaries. Following timely and meaningful consultation with the private schools, districts are required to complete an Affirmation of Consultation form.
For more information, please see Private School Guidance Brief
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
It has been brought to our attention that some misinformation has been shared recently about School-based Medicaid Services. School-based Medicaid Services can only be reimbursed for Medicaid-eligible students whose medical necessity is listed on their IEP. We are working with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to expand services beyond the IEP in the school setting sometime in 2025. Once the Medicaid expansion has been approved, OSDE, along with OHCA, will provide detailed requirements and guidance. We are excited to bring new opportunities for districts to support student services in the near future.
For more information on "current" billing procedures and regulations visit the OHCA School-based Medicaid website. Feel free to reach out to Kellie Carter, Manager of School Nursing Programs with OSDE.
**NEW** OAAP Update
You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. You can find and access information about the 2024-2025 Testing Schedule, Bulk Student Upload, Professional Development, and DLM Reminders.
District FY24 CloseOuts
FY 24 Close Outs are now open. Districts must perform a closeout for IDEA projects 618, 621, 623, 625, 641, 642. Projects 613, 615, 616, 619, 626, and 627 do not require a closeout. Closeouts must be completed online through the GMS and completed by September 1st. Closeouts cannot be performed until all submitted claims have been processed. Please contact your finance specialist if assistance is needed.
Our annual Finance Workshops are now available for registration. Choose the location and date that’s best for you. Hope to see you there!
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
The FY25 allocations for Project 615 are now available. Districts can begin submitting their online budget through the GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your Project 615 budget. Applications must be completed and submitted by December 31, 2024. Districts not submitting a budget by December 31 will forfeit their allocation. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist.
Project 613 and Project 616 applications are now available. Districts may begin completing online budget applications through GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your chosen budget. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist
Alternate Diploma Collaborative Meetings: SAVE-THE-DATE!!!
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! We will resume meeting quarterly via Teams this school year. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). A Teams link for ADC meetings will be posted soon!
- September 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
Director Summit 2024
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- Duncan, Oklahoma: September 3-4, 2024
- Burns Flat, Oklahoma: September 4-5, 2024
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
The program is geared to provide OK certified teachers with knowledge, tools and resources to instruct blind and visually impaired students in core academics and expanded core curriculum skills.
For more information please see the Oklahoma VI Teacher Institute Flyer.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will be hosting the Smart Beginnings 2024 webinar series August 27 - 29, 2024. The webinars will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about resources for promoting effective early intervention and instruction using data-driven decision-making to support early learners and students with disabilities as we head into a new learning year.
For more information, please see OSEP Smart Beginnings 2024.
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
EDPlan webinar scheduled is now available for registration.
Training Includes
- Introduction to OK EdPlan
- Navigating EDPlan
- EDPlan Administrator Training
- OK Eligibility Training
- OK EdPlan IEP Process
- OK EdPlan 504 Training
Please register for the July and August EdPlan training with PCG.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Classes:
- OKC Area: September 4, 2024- Register Here
Live Virtual Registration:
- September 24, 2024- Register Here
- November 7, 2024- Register Here
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
-
On-Demand Renewal Training Password Request
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition Flyer.
CPI Verbal Intervention
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- August 29, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma *sold out
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma *sold out
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our Annual Conference for Support Staff for the 2024-2025 School Year.
- September 6, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- November 1, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- January 30, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
- February 6, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
DirectSTEP
OSDE-SES is partnering with LRP Publications to bring tailored professional development to all support personnel who serve students with disabilities and assist with improving student outcomes. To access the 10 available courses please print the instructions to create an account for the paraprofessionals or support staff in your district to participate. Only support personnel, please.
For more information, please see the DirectSTEP Flyer and DirectStep Courses.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
Educational Interpreter Registry
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - August 22, 2024 - External
You may also access the data validation wizard in WAVE and see any errors in data that have come into the WAVE.
Communicate with the SIS Administrator in your district as they should know how to work with the SIS vendor to get your data flowing.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood illnesses in the United States, affecting nearly 7 million children. Although common, asthma can be challenging to manage, and its impact on the well-being of children and families ripples through communities nationwide. To aid schools and students with this chronic issue, the state of Oklahoma passed legislation to allow and fund stock inhalers in schools.
In 2019, Senate Bill 381 passed, allowing schools to elect to provide stock inhalers in their districts. 70 O.S. § 1-116.3 outlines the school requirements concerning stock inhalers.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Senate Bill 36X has appropriated $250,000 to school districts to fund stock inhalers and single-use spacers in schools. SDE has requested an Attorney General’s opinion regarding questions about utilizing a single vendor to provide this service to schools. While we wait for that opinion to be announced, SDE wants to ensure that schools and students have these safety devices available in schools. Therefore, we will continue to use the process implemented by SDE during the 2023-2024 school year for schools to purchase and be reimbursed for inhalers.
The instructions for reimbursement are including in the Inhalers in Schools Guidance Document.
As a reminder, every district can apply for one stock inhaler per school building for the 2024-2025 school year through OSDE. The invoice can be submitted to [email protected].
When an IEP student accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, the State Department of Education (SDE) will notify the Local Education Agency (LEA). If a student from your district accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, their name will appear on a list stored in your document library on OK EdPlan.
To review the list:
- Sign in to OK EdPlan.
- Select "Tools."
- Go to "LEA Document Library."
- Click on "LNH."
You will find a list of IEP students who have accepted the LNH Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon receiving this documentation, the district must update the student’s status in OK EdPlan:
- If the student will not receive an Individualized Service Plan (ISP): Inactivate the student in OK EdPlan using the exit reason “Accepting the LNH Scholarship.”
- If the student is eligible for an ISP: Keep the student active in their enrollment within the Student Information System (SIS) but mark the box indicating that the student is attending a private school and receiving ISP services.
The LNH Scholarship program will continue to approve scholarships for IEP students until December 1 each year. Please check the list regularly to ensure that you have updated the status of any newly approved students.
For any LNH questions, please contact Stacy Eden at (405) 521-4876. For Special Education questions, please contact the Office of Special Education (405) 521-3351.
The Oklahoma Access and Achievement Program Scholarship and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant are new financial aid opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities attending the IPSE (Inclusive Post Secondary Education) programs in Oklahoma. Enrollment in any of Oklahoma’s three Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) located at Northeastern State University (RiverHawks Scholar Program), the University of Oklahoma (Sooner Works), or Oklahoma State University (Opportunity Orange Scholars) allows eligible students to apply. Check out the flyer for more information about these new opportunities. For even more information visit the Paying For College — Oklahoma Inclusive Post Secondary Education Alliance page on the OKIPSE Alliance website.
Behavior Central will be available again for the 2024-25 school year! Utilizing graduate students in the UCO Behavior Analysis program, public school staff are provided with consultation that includes planning, training, and coaching to assist teachers with the process of functional behavior assessment and intervention design to address behavioral challenges.
For referral information contact Scott Singleton.
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
With over 25 years of experience in schools, we know firsthand the demands of working in the educational system and the need for qualified contract staff. We support schools & their special education teams by hiring qualified therapists and educators for in-person and virtual services.
We staff:
- SLPs and SLPAs
- OTs and COTAs
Psychologists - Social Workers
- SPED Teachers
DHH and ASL Teachers - Blind/VI Teachers
and more
For more information please see the Therapeds Flyer and District Flyer.
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) needs your assistance in recognizing districts that provide innovative and exemplary school psychological services in your state! NASP offers an Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) Recognition Program. However, many districts are not yet aware of this recognition program or its benefits, which include:
- A structured self-evaluation tool, with objective feedback provided by peers
- A mechanism to raise the profile of school psychologists in the district
- A tool to advocate for more effective organizational structures and supports, and a comprehensive range of services
- Formal and public recognition that can be shared in the community and with other stakeholders
- Perks for the districts that participate and earn levels of distinction, such as complimentary NASP Convention registrations and online learning benefits.
To date, only one district has been recognized in your state by the ESPS Program. Yet, we know there are many other districts in your state that are providing services worthy of distinction.
Would you please forward this message to your district special education administrators' listserv? As they are closing out and reflecting on the current school year and making plans for next fall, please encourage district special education administrators to consider promoting their school psychological services.
For additional information about the ESPS Program, please see the attached brochure or the NASP ESPS. You may also contact Leigh Ann Fisler, the co-chair of the NASP Practice Model Committee if you have questions.
**NEW** Community of Practice
Community Of Practice This Month:
On August 28 at 3pm, the SPDG grant will be hosting a Community Of Practice event that will elaborate on some of the topics covered in the Teaming Foundations Module. The SPDG group will bring in a guest speaker to engage with participants and help answer some of their questions about the content.
Anyone interested in joining this Community Of Practice event, please click here the link to register. Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
School-based OTs/COTAs, PTs/PTAs, SLPs/SLPAs, join us Friday, August 30th at 12:00pm for our kick-off webinar to learn more about the resources and supports we have planned this year just for you! Register today!
This series of trainings are intended to support districts as they navigate using OKMTSS on EDPlan to be the data management tool for their MTSS systems. Districts should determine if they are in the beginning implementation, partially implemented, or fully implemented stages of MTSS as a district. Sessions will be repeated over time and districts should consider their time, capacity, and needs as they determine their necessary methods of scaling and cohorting their staff to begin implementation of this tool.
September 10, October 15 are repeated sessions from the Spring 2024.
NEW SESSIONS! Including how to use the SABERS Screener: August 28, October 8, October 29
All sessions will be recorded and one session from each category will be shared on the OKMTSS website.
Please complete this interest survey to determine additional need for training. For more information and to register for these trainings, please see the Back to School 2024 Flyer.
Teaching personal financial literacy in schools is essential for preparing students to manage their finances effectively. Here are some key strategies and resources to help you as you prepare.
For more information, please see the OKMM August Newsletter.
The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) will be offering in-person regional training for Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue AND Facilitation Training.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering DialogueCrucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a two-day nationally recognized training that helps people have difficult conversations. The focus of the training is not just about communication – it’s about helping people get the results they want and need through their interactions with others.
Facilitation TrainingFacilitation Training is a one-day training that provides an overview of facilitation to include facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, and a toolbox of practical facilitator strategies and techniques to use during a meeting.
Information on how to register can be found on the SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage.
SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage
EDPlan webinar scheduled is now available for registration.
Training Includes:
- Introduction to OK EdPlan
- EDPlan Administrator Training
- OK Eligibility Training
- OK EdPlan IEP Process
- OK EdPlan 504 Training
Please register for the August EdPlan training with PCG.
The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners is proud to announce a new year of monthly, low-cost, 2-hour, professional development webinars!
Teacher and Paraeducator teams are encouraged to sign up together! New topics every month!! Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 am – 12 pm MDT! Discounts for multiple webinars and group rates are available!
Please see the Saturday Mornings with the NRCP for registration.
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- Duncan, Oklahoma: September 3-4, 2024
- Burns Flat, Oklahoma: September 4-5, 2024
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
This intensive 13-hour interactive workshop is designed to teach the theory and protocol for the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), an evidence-based practice based on Applied Behavior Analysis, typical language development, and B.F. Skinner's Verbal Behavior. Using presenter demonstrations, role-play opportunities, and video examples participants will gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience of each of the six phases of PECS. Please join us September 12-13, 2024.
For more information and registration, please see the PECS Level 1 Flyer.
Sessions include instruction and interactive application of evidence-based practices for identifying children with Autism. The course requires a time commitment of five total days for all team members, including a school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and special education teacher.
For more information please see the OAC Flyer and Apply Here.
The 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute will be held on November 6-7, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK. You are invited to be a participant, submit a proposal to present, or be a vendor! This is an important statewide event, where professionals and advocates come together to share knowledge and strategies for improving the transition process and life outcomes for youth with disabilities.
This year’s annual OTI will cover a variety of topics critical to successful transitions, including:
- Opportunity Gaps and Barriers
- Competitive Integrated Employment
- Family and Youth Engagement
- Interagency Collaboration and Transition Planning
- Post-Secondary Education
- Independent Living
The Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) encourage proposals that provide innovative approaches, evidence-based practices, and collaborative solutions to these key areas. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions and share your expertise with a dedicated audience.
- Proposal Submission Guidelines are listed in the Call for Presenters
- If you are interested in presenting a topic in a workshop setting as part of this conference, please submit by 11:59 PM Central Time on August 31, 2024.
Please contact Yolanda Scott for more information.
We look forward to receiving proposals and thank you for your commitment to enhancing transition outcomes for youth with disabilities!
Grand Canyon University
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A LICENSED TEACHER!
Grand Canyon University is proud to announce the launch of its National Center for Teacher Preparation. Central to this initiative is our pledge to make tuition affordable and education accessible with generous scholarships designed for school employees looking to obtain their initial teacher licensure.
We want to help future educators achieve their educational dreams and help change the landscape of prepared teachers in Oklahoma. To learn how you can start your journey and learn more about this impactful new scholarship, please reach out to Tracy Presson, local Oklahoma counselor, at [email protected] or go to Get Started on Your Degree | Grand Canyon University (gcu.edu)
We look forward to joining you on your educational journey! Questions? Please contact Tracy Presson at 405-999-5584.
This program at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma focuses on foundational Special Education practices related to instructional strategies for students with autism and other exceptionalities, remaining compliant with Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
For more information, please see USAO Flyer.
The Oklahoma State University offers a 36-credit online master's degree in special education that focuses on working with children with mild/moderate disabilities in special education and general education classrooms.
For more information on OSU Online Boot Camp, please see the OSU Boot Camp Flyer.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- August 29, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
Beginning with the incoming 2024-2025 school year districts requesting training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills are encouraged to send an employee to become a Certified Trainer for CPI. Once certified to become a trainer the said employee will be certified to train others in their place of employment. Beginning with the forthcoming school year OSDE will be transitioning to Verbal Interventions only and will not train individuals in the disengagements or restraints in CPI. Please note the dates, locations, and the information for contacting the CPI Senior Territory Manager for Oklahoma below.
- Associated costs to districts
reimbursable through Project 615 - Participants become certified to train
others in their place of employment.
Location and Date:
- Oklahoma City
- August 20, 2024-August 22, 2024
- December 10, 2024-December 12, 2024
- Tulsa
- August 6, 2024-August 8, 2024
- October 15, 2024-October 17, 2024
Jaime Schroeder, Schedule a Call Senior Territory Account Manager at CPI for Kansas, Oklahoma & Nebraska Crisis Prevention Institute 10850 W. Park Place, Suite 250 • Milwaukee, WI 53224 Direct 414.441.1750 • crisisprevention.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaime-schroeder
Professional Development Opportunities
These professional development opportunities are sponsored by the Oklahoma State
Department of Education, Special Education Services, and the Oklahoma Autism Center.
This collaboration strives to provide a comprehensive support system for public school
educators, early intervention personnel, support staff, and/or pre-service educators.
Please see the Oklahoma Autism Center PD Opportunities flyer for more information.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
Center on Transition Innovations
The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at Virginia Commonwealth University continues providing resources for each month’s focus, with August highlighting Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy! They also offer free self-paced courses for families, professionals, and youth on Fundamentals of Transition Planning, Work-Based Learning, Get Ready for College, Get Ready for Your Career, and Get Ready for Independent Living.Check out the resources for this month as they are introduced weekly.
Monthly Theme
The CTI theme for August 2024 is Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy.
Resources for AugustThis month, we are focusing on self-determination and self-advocacy. Cultivating these skills empowers students with disabilities to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and advocate for their own needs. Understanding and fostering self-determination and self-advocacy is key to successful transitions in education, employment, and independent living.
Stay tuned for the following resources:
- Fostering Self-Determination in Higher Education
- Instruction in Self-Advocacy
- Self-Determination Research Summary
- Spotlight Virginians: Student Success Story
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - August 20, 2024 - Internal
We are happy to announce that once again we will be able to have a Certified School Psychologist on staff to assist Oklahoma Public School Districts. This service aims to provide a support system for Oklahoma's Public Schools who do not have access to a School Psychologist. This service will include a resource for questions about the Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility process. The following are free services to any school district in the state of Oklahoma who does not have a School Psychologist on staff or is in temporary need of someone to fulfill that role.
- Assist with the completion of the RED form to include all information needed for the required components for each of the thirteen categories.
- Fulfill the role and sign as the Qualified Professional on the RED form.
- Fulfill the role and sign as a Qualified Professional on an Initial MEEGSEEGS during the re-evaluation process that would be discussing a category change, or any other MEEGS that isn’t just a routine reevaluation.
- Review outside Evaluations, Interpret Results and give guidance on what information needs to be included on the RED form and where that information needs to be documented.
- General guidance for questions that are included in the Evaluation/Eligibility process.
Questions about this process, please contact Cami Dotson, 405-522-1706.
When an IEP student accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, the State Department of Education (SDE) will notify the Local Education Agency (LEA). If a student from your district accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, their name will appear on a list stored in your document library on OK EdPlan.
To review the list:
- Sign in to OK EdPlan.
- Select "Tools."
- Go to "LEA Document Library."
- Click on "LNH."
You will find a list of IEP students who have accepted the LNH Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon receiving this documentation, the district must update the student’s status in OK EdPlan:
- If the student will not receive an Individualized Service Plan (ISP): Inactivate the student in OK EdPlan using the exit reason “Accepting the LNH Scholarship.”
- If the student is eligible for an ISP: Keep the student active in their enrollment within the Student Information System (SIS) but mark the box indicating that the student is attending a private school and receiving ISP services.
The LNH Scholarship program will continue to approve scholarships for IEP students until December 1 each year. Please check the list regularly to ensure that you have updated the status of any newly approved students.
For any LNH questions, please contact Stacy Eden at (405) 521-4876. For Special Education questions, please contact the Office of Special Education (405) 521-3351.
IDEA requires school districts to engage in timely and meaningful consultation with representatives of private schools and the parents of parentally placed private school students with disabilities. During the consultation process districts and private schools are required to discuss the provision of special education and related services for qualified students attending private schools within a district's boundaries. Following timely and meaningful consultation with the private schools, districts are required to complete an Affirmation of Consultation form.
For more information, please see Private School Guidance Brief
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
It has been brought to our attention that some misinformation has been shared recently about School-based Medicaid Services. School-based Medicaid Services can only be reimbursed for Medicaid-eligible students whose medical necessity is listed on their IEP. We are working with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to expand services beyond the IEP in the school setting sometime in 2025. Once the Medicaid expansion has been approved, OSDE, along with OHCA, will provide detailed requirements and guidance. We are excited to bring new opportunities for districts to support student services in the near future.
For more information on "current" billing procedures and regulations visit the OHCA School-based Medicaid website. Feel free to reach out to Kellie Carter, Manager of School Nursing Programs with OSDE.
OAAP Update
You can find the most updated OAAP information for the 2024-2025 school year in the OAAP Memo. Find and access information regarding DLM Score Reports, Test Administrator Training Updates, and DLM Reminders.
EdPlan Caseload Report
A new Caseload Report is available in EDPlan’s Advanced Reporting System, the User Caseload Report. Please note that this report has several tabs. The Data Analysis Guide will answer common questions you may have about the report and its calculations. The Caseload FTE tab includes an FTE calculation for special education teachers. The Caseload Student Summary provides a more detailed view of how caseload weight for each student is determined. The Caseload Details tab includes the type of services and LRE for students. The Speech Caseload Summary tab will display the total caseload number for speech/language service providers.
You may also access the data validation wizard in WAVE and see any errors in data that have come into the WAVE.
Communicate with the SIS Administrator in your district as they should know how to work with the SIS vendor to get your data flowing.
**NEW** IDEA Finance Workshops
Our annual Finance Workshops are now available for registration. Choose the location and date that’s best for you. Hope to see you there!
The FY25 School Based contract has now been loaded into the application. Districts choosing to participate can now complete the contract then upload into the application. This can be found in the GMS under IDEA.
FY25 allocations for Project 618 will be released on the evening of August 13th. Districts qualifying for this project may then begin completing the online application. Should you need assistance contact your finance specialist.
FY25 Project 621 Flow Through and Project 641 Pre School allocations are now available. You can access your application in the GMS. Please contract your finance specialist should you need assistance.
The FY25 allocations for Project 615 are now available. Districts can begin submitting their online budget through the GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your Project 615 budget. Applications must be completed and submitted by December 31, 2024. Districts not submitting a budget by December 31 will forfeit their allocation. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist.
Project 613 and Project 616 applications are now available. Districts may begin completing online budget applications through GMS. Once on the GMS Access Select page, you will need to create your chosen budget. For assistance, please contact your finance specialist
FY 24 Close Outs are now open. Districts must perform a closeout for IDEA projects 618, 621, 623, 625, 641, 642. Projects 613, 615, 616, 619, 626, and 627 do not require a closeout. Closeouts must be completed online through the GMS and completed by September 1st. Closeouts cannot be performed until all submitted claims have been processed. Please contact your finance specialist if assistance is needed.
**NEW** Alternate Diploma Collaborative Meetings: SAVE-THE-DATE!!!
Mark your calendar and save the dates for the 2024-2025 Alternate Diploma Collaborative (ADC) virtual meetings! We will resume meeting quarterly via Teams this school year. Please share the ADC meeting dates with staff who need to know, learn about, and keep up-to-date about all things “alternate diploma” and 18-22 extended transition programs or services!!! Those who need to know include secondary administrators, special education directors and teachers, school counselors, career advisors, and anyone who is a stakeholder in secondary transition for students who participate in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) aligned with alternate achievement standards (Essential Elements). A Teams link for ADC meetings will be posted soon!
- September 19, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- November 21, 2024 (3rd Thurs.)
- February 20, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
- April 17, 2025 (3rd Thurs.)
**NEW** Additional AIM Kick Off Session!
OSDE-SES is hosting an additional AIM Kickoff for Oklahoma educators who teach reading and choose to participate in the AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading.
AIM Kickoff - August 27, 2024 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.Please register for this event, here. Note: sessions are duplicate you will only need to select 1 time slot.
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- Duncan, Oklahoma: September 3-4, 2024
- Burns Flat, Oklahoma: September 4-5, 2024
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
The program is geared to provide OK certified teachers with knowledge, tools and resources to instruct blind and visually impaired students in core academics and expanded core curriculum skills.
For more information please see the Oklahoma VI Teacher Institute Flyer.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will be hosting the Smart Beginnings 2024 webinar series August 27 - 29, 2024. The webinars will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about resources for promoting effective early intervention and instruction using data-driven decision-making to support early learners and students with disabilities as we head into a new learning year.
For more information, please see OSEP Smart Beginnings 2024.
Join us for a chance to discuss early childhood data, as well as available tools & resources. This will be an ongoing group to discuss all topics related to early childhood data. This is an opportunity to ask any of your early childhood data questions. Please use this form to suggest questions or topics. In September, we will be discussing available tools and resources for analyzing ECO data.
Join us on September 19, November 14, January 9, March 6, and May 8 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Questions about completing Early Childhood Outcomes? Participants in this course will gain an understanding of the Early Childhood Outcomes process and how outcome data collection supports early special education programs in meeting the needs of students. This course covers ECO basics such as collecting ECO data, determining ratings, and accessing additional resources. Enroll here!
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness 2024-2025The OSDE has developed a module that meets the requirements listed in state statute. The Dyslexia Awareness course can be accessed on OSDEConnect.
The course contains “required” components to receive a certificate of completion, but there are several additional sections that are optional, if you or any of your staff want a deeper dive or just to save for resources later.
EDPlan webinar scheduled is now available for registration.
Training Includes
- Introduction to OK EdPlan
- Navigating EDPlan
- EDPlan Administrator Training
- OK Eligibility Training
- OK EdPlan IEP Process
- OK EdPlan 504 Training
Please register for the July and August EdPlan training with PCG.
These courses fulfill the requirements listed in 70 O.S. § 1210.196.5: Guidelines for Training of Volunteer Diabetes Care Assistants.
If you have any questions, please contact Diabetes Training.
Live Classes:
- OKC Area: September 4, 2024- Register Here
Live Virtual Registration:
- August 27, 2024- Register Here
- September 24, 2024- Register Here
- November 7, 2024- Register Here
On-demand virtual Classes on OSDE Connect will open on July 1, 2024:
This course fulfills the requirements listed in 70 O.S § 1210.284: Vision Screening - Recommendations on Standards - Comprehensive Eye Exam on Failure - Annual Reports.
If you have any questions, please send them to Kellie Carter
-
On-Demand Renewal Training Password Request
Class options:
Vision Screening Provider Training-
Vision Screening Trainer of Provider (only available to those who are certified in Vision Screening Provider Training)
Join SoonerStart and OSDE this fall to discuss early childhood transition from SoonerStart to the LEA. Choose from one of 5 locations (OKC, Tulsa, McAlester, Enid, or Lawton) and meet your transition partners to discuss policies, practices, guidance and resources to ensure a ‘smooth and effective transition’.
Objectives for this training include:
- To provide SoonerStart, LEA personnel and other community agencies/programs with the knowledge of requirements under IDEA Part B and C regarding transition.
- To offer SoonerStart and LEA personnel the opportunity to get real time technical assistance regarding guidance from the Office of Special Education Program.
- To foster relationships between SoonerStart, LEAs and other community agencies/programs that serve our families.
For more information and to register, please see From Part C to Part B: Early Childhood Transition Flyer.
CPI Verbal Intervention
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- August 29, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services will be hosting our Annual Conference for Support Staff for the 2024-2025 School Year.
- September 6, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- November 1, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- January 30, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
- February 6, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
If you have any questions about the Oklahoma's Engaging Support Conference, please email Megan Salisbury or Abby Johnson.
DirectSTEP
OSDE-SES is partnering with LRP Publications to bring tailored professional development to all support personnel who serve students with disabilities and assist with improving student outcomes. To access the 10 available courses please print the instructions to create an account for the paraprofessionals or support staff in your district to participate. Only support personnel, please.
For more information, please see the DirectSTEP Flyer.
Districts may now submit 2023-2024 school year documentation related to special education to receive bonus points. Bonus points are located on the annual Determination report to be released November 2024. A district can earn up to two bonus points for professional development, transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings.
To access the bonus point survey, go to EdPlan>Tools>LEA Document Library>PD Bonus. Complete the survey and upload all professional development documentation (agenda with summarized description and sign-in sheet), transition planning and parent advisory committee meetings to the PD Bonus tab. Instructions to upload documentation are also located under the PD Bonus tab.
Documentation must meet the following criteria:- Must have 3 hours on the same topic.
- Can be divided into shorter time segments
- Must include general education and special education teachers.
- Topics related to special education only (no general district training)
- Documentation required includes topic, agenda and summary with date and times, and dated sign-in sheet.
Districts assigned "level 2, 3, or 4" DMR support through the differentiated monitoring process will automatically receive bonus point credit for completion of monitoring requirements.
Email Felica Denton when submission is ready for review or if you have questions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27, 2024.
Educational Interpreter Registry
If your district employs educational interpreters, please verify that they are on the OSDE Educational Interpreter Registry. All interpreters in an educational setting are required to be on the registry and are required to obtain yearly CEUs.
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
OSDE - SES - August 15, 2024 - External
You may also access the data validation wizard in WAVE and see any errors in data that have come into the WAVE.
Communicate with the SIS Administrator in your district as they should know how to work with the SIS vendor to get your data flowing.
When an IEP student accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, the State Department of Education (SDE) will notify the Local Education Agency (LEA). If a student from your district accepts the LNH Scholarship for the first time, their name will appear on a list stored in your document library on OK EdPlan.
To review the list:
- Sign in to OK EdPlan.
- Select "Tools."
- Go to "LEA Document Library."
- Click on "LNH."
You will find a list of IEP students who have accepted the LNH Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon receiving this documentation, the district must update the student’s status in OK EdPlan:
- If the student will not receive an Individualized Service Plan (ISP): Inactivate the student in OK EdPlan using the exit reason “Accepting the LNH Scholarship.”
- If the student is eligible for an ISP: Keep the student active in their enrollment within the Student Information System (SIS) but mark the box indicating that the student is attending a private school and receiving ISP services.
The LNH Scholarship program will continue to approve scholarships for IEP students until December 1 each year. Please check the list regularly to ensure that you have updated the status of any newly approved students.
For any LNH questions, please contact Stacy Eden at (405) 521-4876. For Special Education questions, please contact the Office of Special Education (405) 521-3351.
The Oklahoma Access and Achievement Program Scholarship and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant are new financial aid opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities attending the IPSE (Inclusive Post Secondary Education) programs in Oklahoma. Enrollment in any of Oklahoma’s three Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) located at Northeastern State University (RiverHawks Scholar Program), the University of Oklahoma (Sooner Works), or Oklahoma State University (Opportunity Orange Scholars) allows eligible students to apply. Check out the flyer for more information about these new opportunities. For even more information visit the Paying For College — Oklahoma Inclusive Post Secondary Education Alliance page on the OKIPSE Alliance website.
Behavior Central will be available again for the 2024-25 school year! Utilizing graduate students in the UCO Behavior Analysis program, public school staff are provided with consultation that includes planning, training, and coaching to assist teachers with the process of functional behavior assessment and intervention design to address behavioral challenges.
For referral information contact Scott Singleton.
The State Personnel Development Grant is seeking applicants for the SPARK initiative. This opportunity is for early career special education teachers who are defined as working in special education for 5 years or less. Educators who apply should carefully read the application in full. Those selected will be expected to fully participate in 20 hours of professional development and complete a minimum of two instructional coaching cycles. The program is anticipated to take the entire 2024-2025 school year to complete. Participants who complete the program in full will receive a $2,000 stipend.
For access to the application, please see attached application. For a direct link to the application form, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to Alexa Hudak or Wendy Hardwick.
With over 25 years of experience in schools, we know firsthand the demands of working in the educational system and the need for qualified contract staff. We support schools & their special education teams by hiring qualified therapists and educators for in-person and virtual services.
We staff:
- SLPs and SLPAs
- OTs and COTAs
Psychologists - Social Workers
- SPED Teachers
DHH and ASL Teachers - Blind/VI Teachers
and more
For more information please see the Therapeds Flyer and District Flyer.
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) needs your assistance in recognizing districts that provide innovative and exemplary school psychological services in your state! NASP offers an Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) Recognition Program. However, many districts are not yet aware of this recognition program or its benefits, which include:
- A structured self-evaluation tool, with objective feedback provided by peers
- A mechanism to raise the profile of school psychologists in the district
- A tool to advocate for more effective organizational structures and supports, and a comprehensive range of services
- Formal and public recognition that can be shared in the community and with other stakeholders
- Perks for the districts that participate and earn levels of distinction, such as complimentary NASP Convention registrations and online learning benefits.
To date, only one district has been recognized in your state by the ESPS Program. Yet, we know there are many other districts in your state that are providing services worthy of distinction.
Would you please forward this message to your district special education administrators' listserv? As they are closing out and reflecting on the current school year and making plans for next fall, please encourage district special education administrators to consider promoting their school psychological services.
For additional information about the ESPS Program, please see the attached brochure or the NASP ESPS. You may also contact Leigh Ann Fisler, the co-chair of the NASP Practice Model Committee if you have questions.
**NEW** OKMTSS on EDPlan: Back to School Trainings
This series of trainings are intended to support districts as they navigate using OKMTSS on EDPlan to be the data management tool for their MTSS systems. Districts should determine if they are in the beginning implementation, partially implemented, or fully implemented stages of MTSS as a district. Sessions will be repeated over time and districts should consider their time, capacity, and needs as they determine their necessary methods of scaling and cohorting their staff to begin implementation of this tool.
August 21, September 10, October 15 are repeated sessions from the Spring 2024.
NEW SESSIONS! Including how to use the SABERS Screener: August 28, October 8, October 29
All sessions will be recorded and one session from each category will be shared on the OKMTSS website.
Please complete this interest survey to determine additional need for training. For more information and to register for these trainings, please see the Back to School 2024 Flyer.
Teaching personal financial literacy in schools is essential for preparing students to manage their finances effectively. Here are some key strategies and resources to help you as you prepare.
For more information, please see the OKMM August Newsletter.
The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) will be offering in-person regional training for Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue AND Facilitation Training.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering DialogueCrucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a two-day nationally recognized training that helps people have difficult conversations. The focus of the training is not just about communication – it’s about helping people get the results they want and need through their interactions with others.
Facilitation TrainingFacilitation Training is a one-day training that provides an overview of facilitation to include facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, and a toolbox of practical facilitator strategies and techniques to use during a meeting.
Information on how to register can be found on the SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage.
SERC Stakeholder Training Webpage
EDPlan webinar scheduled is now available for registration.
Training Includes:
- Introduction to OK EdPlan
- EDPlan Administrator Training
- OK Eligibility Training
- OK EdPlan IEP Process
- OK EdPlan 504 Training
Please register for the August EdPlan training with PCG.
The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners is proud to announce a new year of monthly, low-cost, 2-hour, professional development webinars!
Teacher and Paraeducator teams are encouraged to sign up together! New topics every month!! Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 am – 12 pm MDT! Discounts for multiple webinars and group rates are available!
Please see the Saturday Mornings with the NRCP for registration.
OSDE-Office of Special Education Services is offering a two-day Directors' Summit. The 2-day Directors' Summit will be in-person, offered at six different regional locations across Oklahoma during the first two weeks in September.
Day One: The first day aims to build the knowledge of the "new" 2024 amendments to the Oklahoma Special Education Policies and Procedures.
Day Two: The second day aims to provide updates to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) requirements for monitoring and compliance, and targeted guidance regarding common compliance errors in Oklahoma.
Register for the two day event!
All sessions will start at 8:30 AM
- Duncan, Oklahoma: September 3-4, 2024
- Burns Flat, Oklahoma: September 4-5, 2024
- McAlester, Oklahoma: September 5-6, 2024
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: September 6 and September 9, 2024
- Owasso, Oklahoma: September 9-10, 2024
- Enid, Oklahoma: September 10-11, 2024
For more information, please see the Agendas.
This intensive 13-hour interactive workshop is designed to teach the theory and protocol for the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), an evidence-based practice based on Applied Behavior Analysis, typical language development, and B.F. Skinner's Verbal Behavior. Using presenter demonstrations, role-play opportunities, and video examples participants will gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience of each of the six phases of PECS. Please join us September 12-13, 2024.
For more information and registration, please see the PECS Level 1 Flyer.
The 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute will be held on November 6-7, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK. You are invited to be a participant, submit a proposal to present, or be a vendor! This is an important statewide event, where professionals and advocates come together to share knowledge and strategies for improving the transition process and life outcomes for youth with disabilities.
This year’s annual OTI will cover a variety of topics critical to successful transitions, including:
- Opportunity Gaps and Barriers
- Competitive Integrated Employment
- Family and Youth Engagement
- Interagency Collaboration and Transition Planning
- Post-Secondary Education
- Independent Living
The Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) encourage proposals that provide innovative approaches, evidence-based practices, and collaborative solutions to these key areas. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions and share your expertise with a dedicated audience.
- Proposal Submission Guidelines are listed in the Call for Presenters
- If you are interested in presenting a topic in a workshop setting as part of this conference, please submit by 11:59 PM Central Time on August 31, 2024.
Please contact Yolanda Scott for more information.
We look forward to receiving proposals and thank you for your commitment to enhancing transition outcomes for youth with disabilities!
Grand Canyon University
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A LICENSED TEACHER!
Grand Canyon University is proud to announce the launch of its National Center for Teacher Preparation. Central to this initiative is our pledge to make tuition affordable and education accessible with generous scholarships designed for school employees looking to obtain their initial teacher licensure.
We want to help future educators achieve their educational dreams and help change the landscape of prepared teachers in Oklahoma. To learn how you can start your journey and learn more about this impactful new scholarship, please reach out to Tracy Presson, local Oklahoma counselor, at [email protected] or go to Get Started on Your Degree | Grand Canyon University (gcu.edu)
We look forward to joining you on your educational journey! Questions? Please contact Tracy Presson at 405-999-5584.
This program at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma focuses on foundational Special Education practices related to instructional strategies for students with autism and other exceptionalities, remaining compliant with Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
For more information, please see USAO Flyer.
The Oklahoma State University offers a 36-credit online master's degree in special education that focuses on working with children with mild/moderate disabilities in special education and general education classrooms.
For more information on OSU Online Boot Camp, please see the OSU Boot Camp Flyer.
OSDE-SES will host CPI Verbal Intervention Regional Trainings with no associated costs to districts. Verbal interventions will not include de-escalation techniques or holds/restrictions. This training is reimbursable through Project 615 for substitutes, travel, and lodging at least 60 miles one-way. Registration is limited to 4 participants per district.
- August 29, 2024: Stillwater, Oklahoma
- September 5, 2024: Ardmore, Oklahoma
- October 4, 2024: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma *sold out
- January 17, 2025: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- February 7, 2025: Guymon, Oklahoma
- February 21, 2025: Lawton, Oklahoma
While OSDE will be pressing forward with verbal interventions, prior blue card certifications are applicable to the content of the training until the expiration date. At that time the district has two options.
- One option is to send a district representative to become a train-the-trainer with certification from the CPI "institute".
- The second option is attending a training for verbal interventions hosted by OSDE.
Should districts choose to train with the CPI institute those associated costs are reimbursable through Project 615 as well. Lastly, the individual trained can only train within their base of employment.
Beginning with the incoming 2024-2025 school year districts requesting training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Nonviolent Crisis Intervention With Advanced Physical Skills are encouraged to send an employee to become a Certified Trainer for CPI. Once certified to become a trainer the said employee will be certified to train others in their place of employment. Beginning with the forthcoming school year OSDE will be transitioning to Verbal Interventions only and will not train individuals in the disengagements or restraints in CPI. Please note the dates, locations, and the information for contacting the CPI Senior Territory Manager for Oklahoma below.
- Associated costs to districts
reimbursable through Project 615 - Participants become certified to train
others in their place of employment.
Location and Date:
- Oklahoma City
- August 20, 2024-August 22, 2024
- December 10, 2024-December 12, 2024
- Tulsa
- August 6, 2024-August 8, 2024
- October 15, 2024-October 17, 2024
Jaime Schroeder, Schedule a Call Senior Territory Account Manager at CPI for Kansas, Oklahoma & Nebraska Crisis Prevention Institute 10850 W. Park Place, Suite 250 • Milwaukee, WI 53224 Direct 414.441.1750 • crisisprevention.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaime-schroeder
Professional Development Opportunities
These professional development opportunities are sponsored by the Oklahoma State
Department of Education, Special Education Services, and the Oklahoma Autism Center.
This collaboration strives to provide a comprehensive support system for public school
educators, early intervention personnel, support staff, and/or pre-service educators.
Please see the Oklahoma Autism Center PD Opportunities flyer for more information.
The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2024-2025.
Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information.
**UPDATED** Center on Transition Innovations
The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at Virginia Commonwealth University continues providing resources for each month’s focus, with August highlighting Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy! They also offer free self-paced courses for families, professionals, and youth on Fundamentals of Transition Planning, Work-Based Learning, Get Ready for College, Get Ready for Your Career, and Get Ready for Independent Living.Check out the resources for this month as they are introduced weekly.
Monthly Theme
The CTI theme for August 2024 is Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy.
Resources for AugustThis month, we are focusing on self-determination and self-advocacy. Cultivating these skills empowers students with disabilities to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and advocate for their own needs. Understanding and fostering self-determination and self-advocacy is key to successful transitions in education, employment, and independent living.
Stay tuned for the following resources:
- Fostering Self-Determination in Higher Education
- Instruction in Self-Advocacy
- Self-Determination Research Summary
- Spotlight Virginians: Student Success Story
Special Education Services
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 412
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
P: (405) 521-3351 F: (405) 522-2380
[email protected]
Categories: specialed
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