CP-FYI-Phase 1 & 2 Special Education Directors-Message from BSE

 

Recently, minor changes were instituted to the special education components within the Comprehensive Planning Web Application process.  One of the driving forces is the pending changes to the Chapter 4 regulations around the deletion of the strategic plan language.  Despite this potential elimination, districts still have Chapter 12, 14, 16 and 49 planning responsibilities.  The purpose of this email is to specifically address the Special Education planning requirements.

 

Regardless of the finalized Chapter 4 revisions, Special Education Plans must be developed as required in 22 Pa Code 14.104. In addition, in fulfillment of the state supervisory requirements under 34 CFR 300.149, the Bureau of Special Education gives an assurance to the Federal Government that all of our districts have approved and current plans.  The state cannot release federal dollars to districts who do not have approved and current Special Education Plans.

 

Here is the guidance for Phase 1 School Districts for this year only.

 

1. Phase 1 Districts will complete their Special Education Plans by November 30, 2012.  There is NO public comment period for the Special Education Plan.  Phase 1 Districts must complete their Special Education Plans by November 30, 2012.
2. These following sections must  be completed for Phase 1 Districts only for this year:
   1. Under Core Foundations-Special Education
   2. Under Assurances- Special Education Facilities, Least Restrictive Environment Facilities, Special Education Support Services, Special Education Contracted Services
   3. Under District Level Plan- Special Education Personnel Development.
3. Phase 1 Districts do not need to redo their Program Profiles or send assurances because they have already done that in either May or August of 2012.
4. The Bureau of Special Education Advisers will have until December 30, 2012 to approve the Special Education Plans. 
5. SEPRNs are still being done on the eSP tool until the Comprehensive Planning Web Application is programmed to allow advisers to approve or disapprove them.

 

For Phase 2 Districts, BSE will be conducting trainings in January, 2013.  We are waiting for a Penn*Link to be released as soon as possible with the dates and registration information for our PaTTAN trainings.  However, you can save the tentative dates of January 7, 2013 (Harrisburg), January 8, 2013 (King of Prussia) and January 14, 2013 (Pittsburgh).

 

If you have additional questions, please contact your district’s special education adviser or Jean B. Inskip at [log in to unmask] or 717-783-6922.

Jean B. Inskip |Chief –Division of Monitoring and Improvement - West
Department of Education | Bureau of Special Education
333 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17126
Phone: 717.783.6922| Fax: 717.783.6139
www.education.state.pa.us

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