Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Students with significant support needs (SSN) are highly diverse learners with extensive needs in the areas of cognition and/or learning, communication, movement, and social/emotional abilities. The individual may also have concurrent health, sensory, physical, and/or behavioral disabilities.

Students with significant support needs require:

a wide variety of approaches and supports to demonstrate their knowledge and skills
intensive instruction in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills in order to acquire and generalize knowledge
substantial adaptations (modifications and accommodations) and/or ongoing supports in order to access grade-level curriculum
access to assistive technology tools to communicate, learn and demonstrate their knowledge
progress to be measured by observation, data collection, assessment, and work samples
individualized levels of support across major life activities in the home, school, and community.

SSN Power Hour (Office Hours)

The Significant Support Needs Network Team and the Significant Support Needs Task Force Members have concluded their monthly office hours for 2024-25. The SSN Power Hour will return Fall 2025 and will be the first Wednesday of each month from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. These sessions will not be recorded.

Please register for the following sessions:

SSN Power Hour
Registration

All participants must register no later than two weeks in advance for each power hour session/conversation.

Trainings / Professional Development

Upcoming Trainings

No upcoming SSN related trainings at this time.

On-Demand Trainings

SSN Connections

Special Education

To view a full list of the On-Demand Professional Development offered by the Office of Special Education visit CDE's On-Demand Professional Development Portal.

2020 Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEO)

This Standards and Instructional Support (SIS) sub-web is dedicated to the Extended Evidence Outcomes of the Colorado Academic Standards. The EEOs are written for students with significant cognitive support needs.

Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEO)

For the Alternate Achievement Standards and Alternate Assessment Participation Guidelines guidance:

Extended Evidence Outcomes and CO-Alt participation

Quality Indicators

The Quality Indicators offer guidance to educators and administrators when developing, implementing, and evaluating quality programs and services for students with the most significant needs.

SSN Quality Indicator Guides and Video

Resources

The SSN Resource page contains numerous website resources and inclusion videos.

SSN Resources Webpage

Significant Support Needs Advisory Council

The SSN Advisory Council is comprised of teachers, administrators, related service personnel, professors from Institutions of Higher Education, and parents from throughout Colorado. This group advises the Colorado Department of Education on the statewide needs of this population and those who serve them. Their expertise is utilized for work groups to develop trainings and products to assist educational teams in meeting the needs of this very diverse population.

CONNECT Listserv

The CONNECT (Connect to Networking, News, and Encouragement for Caring Teachers) listserv is a place for teachers and service providers working with students with significant support needs to find information, encouragement, and networking opportunities.

We know that those working with students with significant needs often may be isolated and lack the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues or find the expertise they need in a timely and safe setting. This is a place to ask questions, have discussions and share ideas with those in the field that are having the same experiences.

To subscribe to the CONNECT listserv:

Please complete the online listserv subscription request, CONNECT Listserv Subscription.
Once you have been added, you will receive a confirmation email

Questions?

For more information about Significant Support Needs, contact:

Gina Herrera
Email Gina Herrera
Phone: (303) 253-0451

Having trouble with this webpage?

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