As you are aware, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has developed a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) document with input from a representative group of stakeholders. The CSDE has required the use of this document for all new IEPs written for students in the State of Connecticut beginning July 1, 2022. To further support this transition for our educators and parents, the CSDE has revised/updated the IEP Manual. The purpose of this manual is to assist planning and placement teams (PPTs) in creating high quality IEPs for students in Connecticut. This resource is now available on our New IEP Website and accessible directly by clicking on the following link: Connecticut IEP Manual
Category Archives: Bureau Happenings
Updated Principles, Procedures, and Standards for the Approval of Private Special Education Programs
The updated Principles, Procedures, and Standards for the Approval of Private Special Education Programs document was approved by the State Board of Education on February 3, 2021. The revised document is now available on the Connecticut State Department of Education Website at https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/PPS.pdf.
Guidelines for the Practice of School Psychology Released!
The CSDE is pleased and excited to announce the publication of the Guidelines for the Practice of School Psychology!
The Guidelines were last revised/published in 2004. This document is the result of a collaborative process involving a dedicated group of outside stakeholders and the CSDE. The project began under the leadership of then-Bureau of Special Education, Education Consultant, Jocelyn Mackey and was continued and completed by a group of school psychologists led by Dr. Michael Regan and the RESC ALLIANCE.
The Guidelines delineate the many ways school psychologists can support the educational process and contain not only a mission and philosophy, but also important information related to scope of practice, professional standards, ethics, professional development, supervision and evaluation, best practices and more. This important resource is designed to be used as a day-to-day resource by those who practice school psychology as well as individuals who supervise them.
The CSDE is planning to release a 20-minute high level webinar of the document in the near future. There will also be opportunities for further training/technical assistance sessions.
The document can be found on the CSDE school psychology page: https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Special-Education/School-Psychology/School-Psychology
or accessed directly at: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/School-Psychology/GuidelinesSchoolPsychology.pdf
Special Education Guidance for Parents Related to School Reopening
The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) and the CT State Department of Education (CSDE) have compiled this three page document, Special Education Guidance for Parents Related to School Reopening, which describes the special education information found in Addendum 6: Reopening Guidance for Educating Students with Disabilities from the CSDE. This document is intended to assist families of students with disabilities in understanding how special education instruction and related services may be delivered within the context of the three learning models in which students may be participating during the 2020-21 school year. (Spanish translation coming soon.)
Updated Guidance for Children Turning Three During COVID-19
The Connecticut Department of Education’s Performance Office together with the Bureau of Special Education issued a July 9, 2020, update to the field related to children turning three years old.
To review this important guidance, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Covid/Guidance-for-Children-Turning-Three-During-the-COVID-19-Health-Emergency.pdf .
NEW – Guidance Documents Regarding IEP Progress Reporting and CTECS Revised Admissions Process, in consideration of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In a May 29, 2020, email communication, Connecticut’s Special Education Division Director, Bryan Klimkiewicz, forwarded two guidance documents regarding IEP Progress Reporting and the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System Revised Admissions Process, to the field.
Please review these important documents at:
Guidance for IEP Progress Reporting during the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 29, 2020), and
BSE and CTECS Memorandum: CT Technical Education and Career System Revised Admissions Process (May 29, 2020)
THANK YOU for all that you do to support our students during this challenging and difficult time!
WEBINAR – COVID-19 Considerations for Transitions from IDEA Part C to Part B
Please join us on June 8th at 2:30 p.m. for a webinar about COVID-19 considerations for transitions from IDEA Part C to Part B.
Presented by:
Andrea Brinnel, CSDE, 619 Part B Manager
Jane Hampton Smith, CPAC, Co-executive Director
Alice Ridgway, OEC, Birth to Three System Director
This webinar will review guidance surrounding special circumstances for transition from Part C to Part B during the COVID-19 Health Emergency.
This webinar is for both Part C and Part B professionals and is intended to clarify previous guidance and answer questions that have come up about this guidance.
Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2140472469585137675
WEBINAR – COVID-19 Considerations for Transitions from IDEA Part C to Part B
Please join us on June 8th at 2:30 p.m. for a webinar about COVID-19 considerations for transitions from IDEA Part C to Part B.
Presented by:
Andrea Brinnel, CSDE, 619 Part B Manager
Jane Hampton Smith, CPAC, Co-executive Director
Alice Ridgway, OEC, Birth to Three System Director
This webinar will review guidance surrounding special circumstances for transition from Part C to Part B during the COVID-19 Health Emergency.
This webinar is for both Part C and Part B professionals and is intended to clarify previous guidance and answer questions that have come up about this guidance.
Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2140472469585137675
FREE audio library for kids during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Connecticut-based CRIS Radio is offering free, temporary log-in credentials to educators, parents, and students to access their CRISKids Audio Library during the COVID-19 crisis. The CRISKids Audio Library is quite extensive, with more than 1,000 recordings, nearly all requested by teachers in Connecticut. Access to the recordings will be free and available on any Wi-Fi connected device or smartphone, as well as through the CRIS Radio mobile app. Those interested should contact Laura Boogaert at lboogaert@crisradio.org to receive their free login credentials and instructions on how to access the service.
Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Update #1
On Friday, April 24, 2020, Bryan Klimkiewicz, Special Education Division Director, issued a memorandum to Connecticut Superintendents of Schools and Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services. This important document was update #1 to the March 24, 2020, memorandum titled, Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Please review Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Update #1 at https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Digest/2019-20/2020424-Special-Education-Guidance.pdf?la=en .
The Bureau Bulletin 