CASE KDE UPDATE Division of Learning Services March 11, 2011
Current Issues Maintenance of Fiscal Effort ARRA Funds Budgets End of the Year Training Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Private School and CEIS Financial Reports Inclusion of Special Populations Diploma versus Certificate of Attainment, 704 KAR 3:305
Eligibility Policy Letter, September 7, 2010 Preschool Reevaluation
Office of Education Accountability Special Education Study 2008 In 2008, the Office of Education Accountability issued the Review of Special Education in Kentucky Questions about special education identification procedures, financing, and student performance
Trend Data
Special Education Child Count
Most Significant Rates of Decrease %-12.30%-13.00%-25.32%
Most Significant Rates of Increase % %*
Additional Areas Decreasing %-2.85%-2.62% -4.49%* 234 students in 2010
Additional Areas Increasing %+4.88% +3.03%
Other Health Impairment %
Special Education Child Count Compared to Total Population
Recent Efforts by KDE to Improve Identification Practices
Response to Intervention (RtI) Many KY districts have implemented successful RtI strategies Most districts that are implementing a system of RtI with fidelity are experiencing lower referral rates for students with suspected disabilities
Monitoring Combination of onsite and desk audit activities conducted in 56 districts- Priorities included eligibility for students identified for special education and related services in high and moderate incidence categories and multiple disabilities District selections - based on several factors (high % special education population, disproportionate representation of students in special education) Each district was issued a Report of Findings and in most cases required to submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for KDE approval
Eligibility Policy Letter DLS Policy Letter - issued on September 7, 2010 clarifying DLS’s interpretation of its regulations in the area of identification, evaluation, and eligibility Statewide release of the Policy Letter was accompanied by a webinar providing detailed review of the letter The webinar also included information on research- based interventions, triangulation of all data, and completing formal classroom observations
Mandated State Forms ARC conference summary Eligibility determination forms for all categorical areas Individual Education Program (IEP)