Special+Education


 * Rules and Regulations **
 * NDE visits - please let us know when Rita is coming
 * RDA - Results Driven Accountability - closing the achievement gap - ESU obtained a grant from NDE to support MTSS implementation in our schools as an avenue to addressing the achievement gap (see below)
 * ILCD – TIPs were required to be set by Aug 1 and must address closing the gap - NDE announced that all will be revised by May to address wording requirement changes not previously communicated - Sarah will be contacting districts to set up sessions with your teams in March and April
 * NeSA – allowable accommodations @http://www.education.ne.gov/sped/nesa.html


 * Programs and Initiatives **
 * CPI – ESU #1 offers crisis prevention and intervention training – CPI will be offered at ESU in the summers only - consider getting one of your staff trained as a trainer to provide your school with maximum flexibility for training your team
 * BHECN - Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska - we're partnering with BHECN to develop a plan to help address the unique needs of district in our area regarding behavioral health and mental illness - we are establishing a leadership group to design the plan of supports for our area
 * Staffing – please let me know of any issues – school leave is intended for situations where you direct our staff to attend professional development so it doesn’t count against their leave or funds allotment – staff feedback form
 * Spedhelper – excellent resource for you and your teachers – thanks to Sarah Hansen
 * Unified Sports - Dan Masters


 * Financial Information **
 * Contracted SPED Services – make sure the provider has an approved rate and code for reimbursement purposes – have them contact Jill Weatherly at NDE (402) 471-2464


 * Professional Development Opportunities **
 * ESU #1 Area Sped Teacher Prof Dev this is the second year of our PLC approach to providing professional development to area sped teachers and administrators - as we continue to refine the process, we welcome your feedback and input - the goal is to tap into the knowledge and expertise of colleagues to improve practices across all our schools
 * @http://k12engagement.unl.edu outstanding resources for addressing discipline, behavior and engagement
 * MTSS/RDA
 * ESU 1 is bringing Solution Tree author/speaker Austin Buffum to our area on Aug 1-2
 * NDE/UNL will be opening their trainings to teams for the 2016-17 school year
 * IEP Facilitation - this is an outstanding 3 day training which will likely be held in June at ESU 3 - more info to come once it has been set