Last updated 4/06/2020
Here we will post a collection of information and links to support our D/HH families throughout this period of time.
Contents:
Teletherapy - a Parent’s Experience - Hands & Voices
Office of Special Education (OSE) FAQ - Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Grade-level Continuous Learning Challenge - Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Considerations for Families with DHH Children during COVID-19 - Hands & Voices HQ
COVID-19 Resources - Hands & Voices HQ
A Comprehensive List of Educational Resources - Amazing Educational Resources
eLearning Day Program Guidance for Students with Disabilities - Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Meeting IDEA /Article 7 Timelines During eLearning Days, Expanded Learning Opportunities, or School Closures Due to COVID-19 Concerns - Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Teaching Remotely to DHH Students - Council for Exceptional Children
New Resources for Educators, Local Leaders on K-12 Flexibilities, Student Privacy, and Educating Students with Disabilities During Coronavirus Outbreak - from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Talking to Children About COVID-19 - National Association of School Psychologists
Guidance from IDOE on COVID-19 Closures and E-Learning Days - Information for those that are in the process of and Educational Evaluation or an ACR (Annual Case Review = Annual Case Conference) released by Indiana Department of Education.
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings - Resources for supporting our kids of all ages through these next few weeks - huge google spreadsheet of resources
Supporting Younger Ones - an infographic
Office of Special Education (OSE) FAQ
SOURCE: Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Grade-level Continuous Learning Challenge
SOURCE: Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Considerations for Families with DHH Children during COVID-19
SOURCE: Hands & Voices HQ
A Comprehensive List of Educational Resources
SOURCE: Amazing Educational Resources (public facebook group)
Click here to open link (facebook page - login not necessary)
List of Sites for Families to Use While School is Closed
SOURCE: Unknown
eLearning Day Program Guidance for Students with Disabilities
SOURCE: Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
First Steps’ COVID-19 Policies
Meeting IDEA /Article 7 Timelines During eLearning Days, Expanded Learning Opportunities, or School Closures Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Teaching Remotely to DHH Children
New Resources for Educators, Local Leaders on K-12 Flexibilities, Student Privacy, and Educating Students with Disabilities During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued new resources today that will assist education leaders in protecting student privacy and ensuring students with disabilities continue to receive services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the event of school closures due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Education Department also released important information for K-12 educators on flexibilities the Department could grant when it comes to the accountability standards required by law under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Talking to Children About COVID-19
GUIDANCE FROM IDOE on COVID-19 Closures and E-Learning Days - Timelines
Source: https://www.facebook.com/INSOURCEparentshelpingparents post from Friday, March 13th @ 11:17am
To: Superintendents, Special Education Directors
From: Dr. Nancy Holsapple, Director of Special Education Date: March 11, 2020
Subject: Meeting IDEA /Article 7 Timelines During eLearning Days, Expanded Learning Opportunities, or School Closures Due to COVID-19 Concerns
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Office of Special Education has received several inquiries regarding how a school is to meet certain required Article 7 timelines if a school is closed, as a strategy to stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities. Specific concerns center around conducting the evaluation and convening the case conference committee (CCC) within 20 or 50 instructional days of receipt of parental consent and convening the CCC for the annual case review (ACR) within one year of the previous ACR.
1. Evaluation Timelines
If a school makes a decision to close and does not utilize eLearning Days or expanded learning opportunities, the days of dismissal are not instructional days, so this type of closure will not impact timelines for conducting evaluations. If, however, school remains in session through the use of eLearning Days or expanded learning opportunities, then those days do count as instructional days and the 20 or 50 instructional day timeline to complete evaluations must be followed.
While utilizing eLearning Days or expanded learning opportunities, it may still be possible that the multidisciplinary team can complete its evaluation report within the required timelines depending on how much and what portions of the evaluation have been completed. Additionally, school personnel should work with their local health department and the parent to inquire about meeting with the student to conduct the educational evaluation.
2. CCC Meeting or Annual Case Review
Schools have the option to conduct CCC meetings teleconference, videoconference, or through a Webex if an in-person meeting is not possible.
Although there is no provision under the IDEA or Article 7 permitting a waiver of the timelines established in the federal regulations, a school should take appropriate actions to comply and document its efforts to comply with timelines. Communication with the parent is essential to meet the requirements.
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
Suggestions for Supporting Younger Ones
U.S. Department of Education guidelines on educating Students with Disabilities during school closures due to COVID19
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdf