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December 2020
 

The latest news from ESSU

The Exceptional Student Services Unit (ESSU) of the Colorado Department of Education serves students with exceptional educational needs. This monthly e-newsletter is sent to administrators, educators and support staff throughout Colorado. Click here to access a calendar of upcoming events, training sessions and other important dates.

In this email:

News 

Happy Holidays!
CDE offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1, to celebrate the holidays.

Educator PD requirements
Please review the educator professional development requirements section on CDE's website. This document outlines:

  1. Special Education and Behavioral Health renewal requirements,
  2. English Language Learner renewal requirements; and,
  3. READ Act teaching reading professional development district requirements. 
It should help clarify any overlapping requirements. Please take note of the following statement:

"Pursuant to SB 19-199, teachers employed in K-3 classrooms in Colorado must show evidence of competency in teaching science-based reading or complete 45 hours of professional development for the READ Act. This is a one-time requirement for currently employed educators teaching reading in a K-3 classroom. It pertains to all educators teaching reading in a K-3 classroom, regardless of whether they hold an interim authorization, an alternative, initial, or professional license, or no license at all."

CDE Dispute Resolution introduces an updated model state complaint form
CDE has updated its Model State Complaint Form to help ensure that complaints contain all of the required information and to make the process easier for parents. The form now contains more detailed instructions and examples of facts/allegations to aid parents in completing the form.  A copy of the form may be accessed on the CDE Dispute Resolution website. Contact Brandon Edelman at edelman_b@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6876 with questions.

Speech-Language Services for Remote Learning
AmplioSpeech is creating a proposal for Colorado districts to use its services. The more districts that are interested in contracting with them, the better collective bargaining will be. If you would like more information about their online platform for providing speech-language services during remote learning, for compensatory skills, or to address vacancies, please contact Tami Cassel at cassel_t@cde.state.co.us or 720-556-5873. 

COVID-19 information and resources, including compensatory services
Exceptional Student Services-specific information regarding compensatory services and other topics can be found on the Office of Special Education main page or on the Special Education Director’s Corner. Information and resources for schools also can be found on CDE’s Safe Schools webpage. Please check this page often for updated information.

Encourage others to sign up for the ESSU Newsletter, Listserv
Encourage others to sign up for this newsletter by using the ESSU Newsletter sign-up link. People can sign up for the ESSU Listserv by going to the Directors' Corner and completing the Listserv form. We strongly encourage Special Education Fiscal Contacts to sign up for the listserv.

News From Office of Gifted and Talented 

  • Office of Gifted Education Office Hours - Jan. 5

At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Office of Gifted Education will host office hours for any gifted leads who would like to connect with the staff about any pressing needs. For information about the Zoom link email Diane Barranco, barranco_d@cde.state.co.us.

  • Gifted Education Advisory Committee seeks members 
The Gifted Education State Advisory Committee is seeking applications for new members to fill vacancies in various regional positions. Those interested in applying can fill out an application at http://www.cde.state.co.us/gt/councomm. Questions can be directed to Rebecca McKinney, mckinney_r@cde.state.co.
 

News from Office of Facility Schools

  • Facility Schools Upcoming Events
The Office of Facility Schools will host several training events through January on topics including using Enrich, Title IX compliance, and instructional strategies for both in-person and virtual learning. The office will also host office hours on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Details and other meetings can be found on the Upcoming Events page. If you have any questions, please email Molly Enright at enright_m@cde.state.co.us
 

Training and Professional Development 


Professional Development Opportunities
CDE has created a webpage of professional development offerings, which includes opportunities specifically from ESSU.

COVID-19 information and resources, including compensatory services
Exceptional Student Services-specific information regarding compensatory services and other topics can be found on the Office of Special Education home page or on the Special Education Director’s Corner. Information and resources for schools also can be found on CDE’s main webpage. Please check this page often for updated information.

Educational Identification of Complex ASD Cases: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Evaluations
This workshop will provide school professionals with advanced training on considerations regarding ASD assessment practices when working with traditionally underserved children, including children that are economically vulnerable, racially/ethnically minoritized, and linguistically diverse. For more information visit the ASD Professional Development webpage or view the flyer. For questions, please contact Brooke Carson, carson_b@cde.state.co.us

Secondary Transition Office Hours
The next Secondary Transition office hour is Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.  January’s topic will be Post-School Outcomes data.To participate, please access the following link:  Secondary Transition Office Hours. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Gail Lott at lott_g@cde.state.fco.us

Transition Talks
CDE's Secondary Transition Consultant will host monthly transition talks on a variety of topics related to effective secondary transition planning from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays on Zoom.  For additional information, please use the following link:  Transition Talks. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Gail Lott at lott_g@cde.state.co.us

Regional Meetings for Secondary Transition Personnel 
What is going on in your region?  What topics are relevant to you?  What challenges are you facing?  How might your state transition team assist you?  Please follow this link to communicate your needs.  For additional information, please contact Roberta Curtis at curtis_r@cde.state.co.us

Parent Information Webinar
The Office of Postsecondary Workforce Readiness will host an informational webinar for families at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13. The topic:  Concurrent Enrollment/ASCENT options for students with disabilities. The registration link will be sent through the transition listserv. For additional information, please contact Roberta Curtis at curtis_r@cde.state.co.us.  

High-Cost Student Applications are now available
The High Cost Student Applications for 2019-20, collected in 2021, are now available on the Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee’s webpage. Also posted are the instructions for In-Administrative Unit and Out of District placements, the Transportation Worksheet, and a High-Cost Tips sheet for your reference. A technical assistance webinar is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Please register for the webinar on the SEFAC webpage. Questions? Email Moira Blake at blake_m@cde.state.co.us, or Kim Boylan at boylan_k@cde.state.co.us

Building strong collaborations with culturally and linguistically minoritized families during COVID-19
This webinar will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, and will provide strategies to increase family collaboration with culturally and linguistically minoritized families in the era of COVID-19. Participants will better understand ways to approach collaboration with families, new strategies and considerations to support culturally and linguistically responsive family collaboration, and strategies for the provision of these services in virtual environments. Register here by Thursday, Dec. 31. Contact Amanda Nieser, nieser_a@cde.state.co.us, for more information. 

Introduction to FBA-BIP Online Course
This eight-week online course on how to complete Basic Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) starts Sunday, Jan. 17, and is intended for school and district-level teams. Each team member must complete an individual registration form, and list two to five school- or district-level team members, including a special education teacher and a mental health staff. All team members must register individually. They must have access to students in a school setting, approval from administrators to complete a FBA/BIP case study on students, and commit to completing weekly reading, assignments, online discussions, as well as a case study in a school setting. Registration is open through Thursday, Dec. 31, or until full. For more information, please contact Anna Vick, vick_a@cde.state.co.us

Training and Professional Development for Office of Gifted and Talented

  • Professional Development About Twice-Exceptional Learners (2e)

The professional development course to learn about 2e learners will be offered in January and March. Part 1 of the course begins on Saturday, Jan. 23, and runs until Saturday, Feb. 13. Part 2 of the course will be offered in the spring. You may choose to do one or both parts of the course. For more information and registration, see the flyer on CDE’s 2e professional development webpage or contact Cynthia Rundquist, rundquist_c@cde.state.co.us.
 


Deadlines

School Psychology Internship Matrix and Information
The Colorado School Mental Health Advisory Committee and university partners have reviewed and finalized the school psychology internship guidance, Metro Internship Timeline Expectations, and the form for districts to complete so that their internships will be posted on the internship matrix. Please follow this link for more information. Contact Krista Klabo at klabo_k@cde.state.co.us for more information.

December

  • 11 - 2020-21 Budget Revision No. 1 Submission due.

January 

  • 31  - A complete and error-free December Count Snapshot due.

Deadlines for Office of Gifted and Talented 

 

  • CAGT Legislative Day is Feb. 18
The Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented will have its annual Legislative Day on Thursday, Feb. 18. This event will be fully virtual this year with a few important changes. In particular, this event will be available only to ninth and 12th graders. In the past eighth graders have been included. Registration is open  through Friday, Jan. 13. Visit https://www.coloradogifted.org/events/legislative-day/ for more information. Questions can be directed to Paula McGuire, pmcguire@neboces.org.
  • USQP vendor quotes

Universal screening grant applications will be due in April and require a vendor quote for assessments.  Plan ahead and reach out to your vendor early to ensure you have a quote ready when the application is due. Questions can be directed to Rebecca McKinney, pmcguire@neboces.org.


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