Did you know that your state
is writing a new plan to submit to the U.S. Dept of Education to show
how they will improve the educational results of children with
disabilities? You need to be involved!
If you have not done so
already, call or email your State Department of Education to get
involved now! Feel free to share this alert with others.
ISSUE: The U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Special Education (OSEP) is requiring
states to develop a new indicator as part of its progress monitoring
system (#17 for Part B and #11 for Part C) – The State Systemic
Improvement Plan— or SSIP. Stakeholders are required to be involved in
the development of the multi-year plan to implement the new
indicator/SSIP.
The SSIP is due back to OSEP in February 2015.
BACKGROUND
OSEP is currently revising how it holds States accountable for
educating children with disabilities under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Concerned that the achievement and
graduation rates of students with disabilities have remained low for
many years, OSEP is now refocusing its accountability system to
emphasize achieving improved results for children with disabilities
while also continuing to monitor compliance under IDEA. This new
approach is called results-driven accountability (RDA). As part
of RDA, OSEP is also requiring states to develop a new indicator as part
of the Annual Performance Report (APR) for both Parts B and C -the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).
The SSIP is a multi-year plan that must describe how the state will
improve outcomes for IDEA-eligible children. With a deadline of February
2015 for the SSIP, States are writing their plans for Part B and Part C
now. OSEP has required that states involve local stakeholders.
COPAA has met with OSEP on numerous
occasions and has submitted formal comments as OSEP proposed the RDA
process, which included the new indicator, or SSIP. Read COPAA Comments
ACT NOW: It is
essential that COPAA members visit their state department of education
website and find out what states are doing to develop the SSIP. Get
involved, ask questions and become part of the process to develop the
SSIP because millions of students with disabilities need you to help
ensure the new indicator will in fact support and lead to better student
outcomes.
Suggested speaking points when you call or email include:
"I am
interested in becoming involved in the state’s efforts to develop the
new State System Improvement Plan (SSIP) as required by the U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Special Education. This multi-year
plan should include the perspective of families who know and understand
special education in XX state
thru the disability lens. The law requires that you involve
stakeholders with my perspective and I’m volunteering to help. Please
tell me how I can support your efforts to develop a meaningful SSIP. I
appreciate the opportunity and look forward to learning/hearing more."
Learn more about RDA and the SSIP here: http://www.parentcenterhub.
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