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.

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. 

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools for Remainder of School Year

This Executive Order sets guidelines for remote learning, ensures teachers, school employees will be paid for remainder of school year.

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