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
Ascend Colorado's system available in July, directors asked to fill out survey
Ascend Colorado is the state’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) system under development with CDE and AnLar, LLC. The system will be used by teams of educators, service providers and families of students with disabilities to develop and implement IEPs and will be available to all Administrative Units throughout Colorado beginning July 1.
CDE is also in the process of finalizing an agreement with Frontline, the state’s current vendor, that will allow Administrative Units the opportunity to continue with the Erich IEP system for one additional year at no cost to the Administrative Unit. Once the agreement is finalized, CDE will make an announcement with additional details.
On Feb. 25, CDE sent a survey to each director of special education across the state to officially indicate interest in using the Ascend IEP System starting on July 1. Survey responses are due no later than Wednesday, March 31. If you are a director of special education and did not receive this survey, please contact Heidi Derr at derr_h@cde.state.co.us.
Please visit the Ascend Colorado website for more information.
COVID-19 FAQs and resources, including Compensatory Services, available
The Exceptional Student Services Unit’s 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 can be found on CDE’s main webpage, click on the “Covid 19 Resources for Schools Link.” Check these pages often for updated information.
Sign-up to receive the ESSU Newsletter
This newsletter and the ESSU Listserv are available on the Director’s Corner webpage. If you are forwarding the newsletter to others each month, they can sign up to receive it at the ESSU Newsletter sign-up link.
AU director of record and fiscal contact information needed
ESSU must have current contact information for all state-level special education directors and special education fiscal contacts. The office communicates important updates through the listserv, so it is important that the contact list is accurate and current. Communication from this listserv will come from CDE_SPED@cde.state.co.us. For questions, email Suzy Shotts at shotts_s@cde.state.co.us.
AU SPED Director of Record Contact Information
AU SPED Fiscal Contact Information
Virtual Office Hours
During this time of remote instruction, the Office of Special Education has fielded many phone and email questions regarding how best to support the accessibility, behavior, learning, social-emotional and transition needs of learners with disabilities. In response to requests from the field, we have scheduled virtual office hours. Virtual office hours and the registration can be found on the COVID-19 and Special Education page.
CU Denver offers fully funded OSEP doctoral slot
University of Colorado Denver seeks applicants for their early childhood education doctoral program and has one Office of Special Education Program fully funded doctoral slot – full tuition for four years and a monthly stipend. Consider this opportunity for yourself and forward to those individuals or groups in your systems that would apply. Find more information and/or apply at Doctoral Funding for Inclusive ECE at CU Denver.
Results Matter Menu recently updated
The recently updated Results Matter menu is required for children in preschool special education. A comprehensive review of tools submitted for placement on the menu was conducted by a review team. Learn more about the selection criteria, review decisions and vendor responses on the Results Matter webpage.
Results Matter improves outcomes for Colorado’s youngest children by helping teachers, administrators, families, and other education stakeholders use authentic assessment data to inform classroom instruction as well as program and policy decision-making.
Please reach out to these Results Matter contacts with questions.
Secondary Transition Resources
The Colorado Office of Employment First, in conjunction with CDE’s ESSU/Secondary Transition Team and the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, have published resources to share information to help create a reality of meaningful and competitive integrated employment for students with disabilities and their families. View the English and Spanish versions.
Additional resource: Transition Planning Checklist for Employment provides action steps for working with students with disabilities. For additional questions please contact Katie Oliver at oliver_k@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6701.
School-Based Mental Health Open Position Recruitment Tool
The Colorado School-Based Mental Health Open Positions Form is available to help candidates locate available jobs in the state. The matrix includes available positions for school psychologists, school social workers and other school-based mental health positions (SEL specialist, behavior specialist, etc.) in Colorado with additional details regarding the positions. Because the matrix is voluntary, it might not encompass all the available positions in the state, but it will update automatically as districts/AU/facilities post their available positions.
Submit Your Available Positions: Colorado School-Based Mental Health Open Positions Form. Open Position Matrix: Available School-Based Mental Health Positions for the 2021-22 School Year. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Klabo at klabo_k@cde.state.co.us or 720-284-2524.
Training and Professional Development
Professional Development Opportunities
CDE has created a webpage of professional development offerings, which includes opportunities specifically from ESSU, including a library of on-demand resources.
Regional Meetings for Secondary Transition Personnel
A regional meeting for the North Central, Northeast and Metro regions is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, from 8 to 10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.
A regional meeting for the Pikes Peak, South Central and Southeast regions is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, from 8 to 10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.
To register, follow this link. For additional information, please contact Gail Lott at lott_g@cde.state.co.us.
Save the Date: 2021 Virtual Transition Leadership Institute
The upcoming virtual 2021 Transition Leadership Institute is scheduled for Thursday, June 10, through Friday, June 11. The theme is “Improving Student Outcomes through Equitable, Effective Practices, and Interagency Collaboration.” If you are interested in presenting or sharing promising practices, please contact Gail Lott at lott_g@cde.state.co.us. Additional information is coming soon.
Secondary Transition Office Hours
Register for upcoming office hours. For a list of topics and registration links, 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.co.us.
Monthly Transition Talks set for March, April and May
The CDE Secondary Transition Consultant will host monthly transition talks on a variety of topics related to effective secondary transition planning via Zoom from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11; Thursday, April 8; and Thursday, May 6. 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.
SLPA Supervision in Schools Online Course
Registration opens Monday, April 5, for an online, self-paced course for any school-based speech-language pathologist who is new to supervising speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) in Colorado schools or who needs a review. This is not intended for administrators who are evaluating SLPAs for performance review. Ten CDE contact hours are available. Learn more at the SLPA Supervision in Schools Professional Development Page. Contact Amanda Nieser, nieser_a@cde.state.co.us, with any questions.
Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE)
Registration for the 2021 Virtual Conference for Assistive Technology and Education is open. Find out more and register to save your spot on this website. Contact Chelane at chelane.garcia-herrada@ucdenver.edu at the central SWAAAC office for more information.
Virtual Conference - Sound Evidence: Clinical Management of Speech Sound Disorders
Children’s Hospital Colorado will host a virtual conference on Monday, April 19, for speech-language pathologists. The topic, Sound Evidence: Clinical Management of Speech Sound Disorders, will be presented by the president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Dr. Lynn Williams. More information can be found here.
Deadlines
2020-21 IEP Record Reviews – All Ages – Due June 2
CDE recognizes that educators, students and families are facing unprecedented circumstances and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, however, the U.S. Department of Education has not granted waivers related to the monitoring of the compliance of IEPs, and we must therefore proceed with the annual IEP review process for SY2020-21. Historically, AUs reviewed IEPs that amount to 3% of the December count IEP enrollment with a minimum cap of 10 and the maximum cap of 50. In SY2020-21, the maximum cap was reduced to 30 to lessen the burden on AUs during this time.
AUs must complete IEP file reviews for all age groups by Wednesday, June 2. Details of the number of reviews required in each age category and directions for completing the reviews can be found in a document labeled, “IEP Record Review Directions SY2020-21” located in the Attachments List of the Compliance tab in the Data Management System.
Contact Gloria Durosko at durosko_g@cde.state.co.us for more information.
Preschool Outcomes (OSEP Indicator 7 Reporting)
The Office of Special Education Programs exit data and signed Preschool Outcomes certification forms are due by Thursday, July 15. Please contact Tanna George at george_t@cde.state.co.us for technical assistance and support with the OSEP Exit process. More information can be found on CDE’s OSEP Reporting for Preschool Special Education webpage.
Facility Schools Board of Education Seat Openings
Two Facility Schools Board of Education member seats are open to those who are eligible. More information can be found on the facility schools website. All applications are due to Judy Stirman stirman_j@cde.state.co.us by Friday, April 2.
MARCH
- 19 2020-21 Budget Revision No. 2 Submission Deadline
OSEP Monthly Update
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