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.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requests that you complete the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan as outlined in this memorandum and in accordance with Executive Order 2020-142.

Information around feeding Michigan’s children. 

This memo, from State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice, is regarding Partnership and Leadership in Unprecedented Times. There are a lot of great resources provided in this memo.

The Michigan Department of Education Learning at a Distance Guidance. This document is a work in progress, a largely teacher-written effort to help address the immediate needs of staff who must address the immediate needs of children – at a distance – during a pandemic. 

Public Act 165 of 2020, the state School Aid Act, with total GSRP funding of $249,600,000, has been signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Great Start has begun the process of allocating GSRP funding to intermediate school districts (ISDs). The first round of funding will be based on the fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 hold harmless served counts of ISDs as entered in the Michigan School Data System (MSDS) 2020 Spring Collection. ISDs are encouraged to move forward with enrollment of children and open classrooms for FY 2020-2021. Expansion funds, resulting from FY 2019-2020, will be offered in typical fashion using the allocation process outlined in section 39 of the state School Aid Act within the next couple months after original allocations are released.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Great Start/Preschool and Out-of-School Time Learning has received a number of inquiries regarding suspension of in-person instruction and school building closures and the impact on the implementation of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Sections 32d and 39 of the State School Aid Act.

Executive Order 2020-65 (COVID-19) states that in-person instruction for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12, GSRP program delivery, and early childhood programs is suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and requires the development and implementation of a GSRP plan for distance learning. Plans must be compliant with the executive order, as well as with this guidance issued by MDE.

Due to the mandatory closures of Michigan public schools as a result of Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-35, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), recognizes the critical importance of all students receiving consistent and fair education during these times.

The following guidance is helpful when sending documents/packets to families.

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.

In accordance with Executive Order 2020-142, Section 6-Implementation (k), any waiver issued by the state superintendent under Part VII of Executive Order 2020-65 continues in effect through the end of the fiscal year unless otherwise rescinded by the state superintendent. As such, these waivers remain in effect through September 30, 2020.

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)

The MDE Office of Special Education (OSE) is committed to ensuring students with disabilities continue to receive special education and related services during this unprecedented time.

This document provides answers to questions OSE has received during the state-ordered school-building closure.

This document was updated with answers to questions through May 18, 2020.

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) has issued guidance to address forgone learning for students with IEPs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE) is releasing Guidance for Compliance With the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guidance document is designed to assist districts in meeting the IDEA Part B and MARSE requirements in support of Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-35. The MDE has worked to ensure this guidance is aligned and consistent with information provided by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor ordered the closure of all schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) has updated current guidance to address additional substantive requirements of the IDEA and MARSE.

In an effort to support school districts in meeting the requirements of Executive Order 2020-65, I approve waivers of the following requirements in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) for all districts for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Section 6(k) of Executive Order 2020-142 states in pertinent part, “Any waiver issued by the [state] Superintendent under Part VII of Executive Order 2020-65 continues in effect through the end of the fiscal year unless otherwise rescinded by the [state] Superintendent.”

The waivers approved in the memo issued May 27, 2020 of the following requirements in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) for all districts for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year will remain in effect through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2020.

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.

Medicaid Bulletin MSA 20-15 discusses COVID-19 Response:  Behavioral Health Telepractice; Telephone (Audio Only) Services, and is issued on May 5, 2020.

This bulletin was sent to School-Based Services and Caring 4 Students Providers.

Medicaid Bulletin MSA 20-22 discusses COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Policy Changes, Updates to Coverage for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, and is issued on May 5, 2020.

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.

Rescission of Executive Orders 2020-69 and 2020-96

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.