This tool aims to empower state educational agency (SEA) fiscal staff and enhance their capabilities by offering a framework to implement the requirements related to the allowable use of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B federal grant funds. The decision trees will provide consistency in decision-making regarding the allowability of specific cost items.
Leadership for Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from Five State Education Agencies
In April 2024, the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) at WestEd convened a Thought Leader Forum focused on ways State Education Agencies (SEAs) can provide leadership to support effective instruction. Participants included representatives from five SEAs, school districts and schools, the U.S. Department of Education, higher education, state technical assistance partners, professional organizations, family centers, and federally funded technical assistance centers. State special education leaders and their partners from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Washington each shared information about their change initiatives focused on promoting effective instruction for students with disabilities at the local level. The Forum raised this important question: How were these states leading change to promote effective instruction for students with disabilities? This brief was produced by the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) at the University of Utah, in partnership with NCSI, to address this question.
2024 General Supervision Summer Learning Series
Have you thought about the changes to the SPP/APR to be reported February 2025? Now is the time to review and understand the requirements for describing your general supervision system in the introduction and preparing the data for Indicator 18 reporting. NCSI and IDC are collaborating to offer this two-part learning series to help state staff understand and prepare for these changes. This two-part series will provide useful information for any state staff with responsibilities for general supervision, the SPP/APR, or data collection and reporting.
Part 1: The Requirements
August 22, 2024
The first session focuses on the SPP/APR introduction requirements related to the description of your general supervision system and address the data collection and reporting for Indicator 18.
Part 2: Operationalizing the Requirements
September 25, 2024
The second session offers strategies and tips for implementing the reporting changes in an efficient and clear manner and provides opportunity for interaction, questions and sharing your own strategies.
Quick Reference Guide on Parentally-Placed Private School Proportionate Share of IDEA Funds
This quick reference guide supports states in understanding the IDEA private school proportionate share requirement. It outlines the requirements, clarifies the roles of state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) in its implementation, and provides guidance on calculating the proportionate share of funds.
Supporting Practice Guide Implementation: Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades
Session 4:
NCSI presented the fourth session in our Research to Practice Spotlight Series. This session focused on intervention for elementary students struggling in math, including students with disabilities. We reviewed the evidence-based recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades and facilitated discussions on ways SEAs and LEAs can support educators to implement recommendations with diverse learners in varied contexts. Presenters: Nicole Bucka, MA, (MTSS Rhode Island, Practice Guide Panel Member); Robin Finelli Schumacher, PhD., (Instructional Research Group, Practice Guide Staff); Laura Berry Kuchle, PhD., (NCSI); Kathleen Pfannenstiel, PhD., (NCSI).
About the Series
NCSI is hosting a series of webinars aimed at unpacking key evidence-based practices and recommendations to promote learning of students with disabilities and others struggling to learn reading and math. Participants will hear about key practices and considerations for SEAs and LEAs in supporting educators with implementation.
Supporting MTSS Implementation: The Integrated MTSS Fidelity Rubric (IMFR)
Session 3
NCSI is pleased to present the third session in our Research to Practice Spotlight Series focused on assessing and improving integrated multi-tiered systems of support (I-MTSS) implementation to better understand and meet students’ academic and behavioral needs. I-MTSS can serve as a framework for making data-based decisions around effective instruction and support for all students, particularly students with disabilities and others struggling with reading and math. We review I-MTSS and the Integrated MTSS Fidelity Rubric (IMFR), including study findings and the suite of materials, and facilitate discussions on ways SEAs can use or support the use of the IMFR. Presenters: Jennifer Pierce, Ph.D. (IMFR Project Director, AIR, NCSI), Laura Berry Kuchle, Ph.D., (NCSI), and Lauren Artzi, Ph.D., (NCSI).
About the Series
NCSI is hosting a series of webinars aimed at unpacking key evidence-based practices and recommendations to promote learning of students with disabilities and others struggling to learn reading and math. Participants will hear about key practices and considerations for SEAs and LEAs in supporting educators with implementation.
