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Special Education Directors' Corner
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- Upcoming and Archived Trainings
- (Special Education under "Topics" on the left)
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COVID Quick Links
Important Dates Coming Up
Year-at-a-Glance for SY 2023-2024 (PDF)
November 2023
1st SPED December Count Student and Staff Snapshot open for 2023-2024
December 2023
1st December Count Date
1st 2022-23 High-Cost Reimbursement Application Window (targeted) Open (dependent upon CDE capacity) Must be open by February 1
Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP)
- Special Education and Educational Surrogate Parents - Technical Assistance and Training Manual 2018 (PDF)
- Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Guidance Memo, June 2018 (PDF)
- Update on Educational Surrogate Parent and Counsel for Youth Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Assignment of an ESP Form 2023-2024 (PDF)
- Click here if you are interested in serving as an ESP.
Address Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) questions to:
Katherine Rains
Rains_k@cde.state.co.us
Submit form via FAX to:
303-866-6767
Mail form to:
Colorado Department of Education
Exceptional Student Services Unit, ESP Assignments
1560 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver CO 80202
New Special Education Director
AU Special Education Director of Record and Fiscal Contact Information
ESSU must have current contact information for all state-level Special Education Directors and Special Education Fiscal Contacts. Our office communicates important updates and information through our listserv, please be sure that we have accurate, updated information. Communications from this listserv will come from CDE_SPED.
ESSU Newsletter
The ESSU e-newsletter is our office's primary form of communication with the field. It is published once a month and contains information from the Office of Gifted and Talented, Office of Facility Schools, and Office of Special Education.
What's New
Policy Statement: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
On November 28, 2023, the US Department of Education and the US Department of Health and Human Services released an updated policy statement on inclusion to reiterate the expectation of inclusion in high-quality early childhood programs. All young children with disabilities should have access to high-quality inclusive early childhood programs that provide individualized and appropriate support so they can fully participate alongside their peers without disabilities, meet high expectations, and achieve their full potential.
Colorado excels in providing access to high quality inclusive programs for preschoolers with disabilities. AUs currently report that 92% of preschool children with disabilities in Colorado are served in classrooms with a majority of non-disabled peers and most services delivered inside the classroom. This policy statement reinforces our work and will guide our continuous improvement.
Please take time to read the statement, share it with your networks, and consider local actions to continue to make high quality inclusive settings available for preschoolers with disabilities. CDE believes the updated policy statement supports the continued use of our existing guidance Making Least Restrictive Environment Placement Decisions for Preschool Children, Ages 3 through 5, which offers considerations and discussion points to guide IEP team conversations on early childhood educational environments when determining the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) where the child will receive special education services.
As always, please reach out to a member of our early childhood special education team for assistance or support.
Update on Educational Surrogate Parent and Counsel for Youth Fact Sheet (PDF)
This memo updates and replaces guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in March of 2023 to address the impact of HB22-1038 on the responsibility of Administrative Units (AU) to assign an Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) to any IDEA-eligible student who needs one.
Meetings and Conferences
Upcoming – ESSU Meetings
-
Coming Soon
Memos to AU and Special Education Directors
- Adoption of Extended Part C Option for Colorado (PDF) - April 2022
- Early Intervention Evaluation Responsibilities Transfer to CDHS/Early Intervention (PDF)
- K - 12 Resources for Afghan Evacuees (PDF)
- Potential Impact of the Family First Prevention Services Act on Special Education Students (PDF)
- Questions and Answers On Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Evaluations, and Reevaluations (PDF)
- Letter to State Directors of Special Education (PDF)
- Non-Regulatory Guidance: Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care U.S. (PDF)
- Memo Notice of Change in Reporting Requirements and CDE Guidance for Measuring Indicator 13 Compliance (PDF)
- CMAS ELA Accommodation Policy Updated to Align with Colorado Academic Standards Expectations
- OSERS FAQ: The Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools under the IDEA (PDF)
- OCR FAQ: The Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PDF)
New or Reorganization Application & Checklist
*Applications for New or Reorganized AUs, dates for the 25/26 school year TBD.
Resources
There are many ways that children and families can be displaced. There are floods, fires, and other types of natural disasters that can destroy homes or make them uninhabitable for periods of time. Families can also experience hardships that result in major home life changes.
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If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.
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