Special Education Directors' Corner

What's New

Child Identification Obligations for CDEC Enrolled Children (posted May 2, 2025)

The Colorado State Board of Education recently approved technical changes to the Rules governing the implementation of Colorado’s Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) to clarify and align procedures related to the identification and referral of preschool-aged children enrolled in Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) programs. These updates were recommended by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to ensure consistency between ECEA Rules in sections 4.02 and 8.04 regarding child identification responsibilities when a child is enrolled in a school that is a CDEC program. 

As a result of these changes, preschool aged children attending CDEC programs considered to be schools, which includes licensed childcare centers, should be referred to the AU of attendance when there is a concern that the child may have a qualifying disability and need special education. Referrals to special education for children not enrolled in a public or private school should be made to the AU of residence.

May 2025 ECEA Rule Change: Child Identification Obligations for CDEC Enrolled Children outlines the changes, which we encourage you to review carefully and share with others in your system with responsibility for child find. Should you have questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Melissa Taucher at taucher_m@cde.state.co.us. 

• May 2025 ECEA Rule Change: Child Identification Obligations for CDEC Enrolled Children

CDE Model Policy for HB24-1063 - Abbreviated School Day (posted April 29, 2025)

May 2025 ECEA Rule Changes to Form a New or Reorganized Administrative Unit (posted April 25, 2025)

OSEP Required Corrective Action Plan (CAP) - Proportionate Share (posted March 14, 2025)

After a recent monitoring conducted by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) CDE was notified that Colorado’s procedures governing the calculation of Proportionate Share Funds for 3- to 5-year-olds is not in compliance with the requirements of IDEA.  As a result, the state is required to engage in a corrective action plan (CAP) to remedy the noncompliance.  As part of the CAP ordered by OSEP, each AU in the state must recalculate Proportionate Share funds for the 3-to-5-year-olds using the best available data beginning with 2019 through 2023.

•   OSEP Required Corrective Action Plan (CAP)

Revised Guidance for HB22-1260 Access to Medically Necessary Services for Students (posted January 2025)

This guidance document was revised in January 2025 and is intended to support the implementation of HB 22-1260 and, more broadly, its relationship to the Administrative Unit's (AU) special education responsibilities.

• Revised Guidance for HB 22-1260 – Access to Medically Necessary Services – January 2025 (PDF)

Memorandum Regarding State Complaint Procedures (posted October 17, 2024)

On May 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) determined that the Colorado Department of Education’s (CDE) State Complaint Procedures required content for filing a written state complaint that exceeds the requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Until the revisions to the State’s ECEA Rules and the State Complaint Procedures are in effect, the CDE will follow IDEA content requirements for state complaints, as described in 34 C.F.R. § 300.153(b), and due process complaints, as described in 34 C.F.R § 300.508(b).  Please see the attached memo for more information. For questions, please contact Brandon Edelman. Edelman_B@cde.state.co.us.

Memorandum Regarding State Complaint Procedures (PDF)

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