GSRP and Preschool Special Education COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued interim guidance for safely resuming K-12 schools and summer day camps, laid out in a series of three steps.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a Supplemental Guide for schools and childcare programs. 

This recorded webinar for Section 619 Coordinators features Kathy Hebbeler of SRI International, and the ECTA and DaSy centers. The presenter reviews the purposes of evaluation and assessment, and considerations for policies and procedures related to determining eligibility remotely.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan legislature have come to agreement on certain parameters regarding the upcoming school year. House Bills 5911, 5912, and 5913 were passed by the Senate on Saturday and the House of Representatives earlier today. Governor Whitmer is expected to sign them into law when they reach her desk.

New guidance has been issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) with support from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA); and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for schools to keep students, staff, and  Weekly Update safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development.

This link is to the Early Childhood “Instructional Resources” on the MDE COVID-19 page. 

These are the latest MDE OSE approved documents and are intended to assist districts in understanding the standards for compliance. These documents OSE will used by the OSE to determine whether standards for compliance have been met based on district practices. Topics include:

• Compensatory Education (PDF)
• Deviations, Waivers, and ISD Plans Webinar (Webinar Recording; Presentation Materials)
• IDEA Discipline Requirements (PDF)
• Shortened School Day (PDF)
• Special Education Reevaluation Process (PDF)

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is providing information, guidance, and resources for special education.

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) has issued guidance to address Return to Learn for students with IEPs.

Supporting children with intellectual and developmental disabilities during extended times away from school and changing routines due to health outbreaks can be challenging. There are a number of strategies to use at home to help children settle into time away from school and into new routines, and to reduce worry and anxiety. This document provides strategies that are universal, meaning they work for children with and without disabilities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor ordered the closure of all schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. In response to the challenges presented by the closure of school buildings, multiple flexibilities and waivers of federal and state laws and regulations were afforded to school districts.

This memo provides a summary of those waivers and flexibilities. It should not be considered a substitute for the original memos on each topic. Links to each memo are included below.

This video illustrates how Anna Cordas and Erin Erjavec, two talented, creative, and energetic preschool education interventionists at Big Walnut Elementary School in Delaware County, Ohio, delivered remote learning services for their inclusive classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring, 2020. Anna and Erin show how they used their typical classroom visual schedule, provided both asynchronous and synchronous activities, delivered individualized services, and supported children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Lindsay, a parent of one of their students, shares her and her son's experiences with the remote learning services.

Well-designed and thoughtfully executed online courses can effectively engage adult learners in high quality, engaging individual, small group, and whole group learning. This webinar will provide examples of how to develop and deliver content, support interaction including small group activities, promote reflection, and manage assignments as part of an online course.

This article has some practical tips for facilitating virtual meetings.

In an effort to support families and teachers, the NC Office of Early Learning has created weekly family resources for home learning that do not require technology for children ages Birth through Grade 2. There are also links to many digital resources. This link targets pre-kindergarten.

This video describes how Peggy Mattingley, General Education Teacher, Kirsten Bilderaya, Itinerant Early Childhood Specialist, and Molly McCarthy, Speech-Language Pathologist at Tarver Elementary School in Thornton, Colorado delivered remote learning services in spring, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how they reached out to families, provided both asynchronous and synchronous activities, delivered individualized services, and supported children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

While this is meant for home visitors, there may be helpful content for coaching online.

This webinar focused on policies and strategies for use by technical assistance providers and child care professionals to increase mindfulness and self-care.

This Executive Order replaces Executive Order 2020-35 and includes language related to early childhood programs.

On this webpage you will find a direct link to the U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 informational webpage, as well as several highlighted resources. There are also direct links to the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA). 

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), within the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, issues this Question and Answer (Q & A) document in response to inquiries concerning implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision of services in the current COVID-19 environment.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released Questions and Answers (Q&A) documents in response to inquiries concerning the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B procedural safeguards in the current COVID-19 environment.

On Monday, June 22, 2020, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) uploaded two Questions and Answers (Q&A) documents to the U.S. Department of Education website in response to questions about implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and Part C dispute resolution procedures brought on by the effects of COVID-19 and school closures.

Many of the questions and answers around dispute resolution procedures are based on the logistical challenges of conducting business virtually. The Q&As provide informal guidance based on the U.S. Department of Education’s interpretation of current law and are not legally binding.

To view the Part B Q&A, go here.

To view the Part C Q&A, go here.