For the 2026-27 school year, as part of its commitment to accelerating academic outcomes for students with disabilities, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) remains focused on supporting local education agencies (LEAs) in providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with individualized education programs (IEPs). Throughout the school year, OSSE will deliver newly improved training and technical assistance in the areas of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C to B transition, timely reevaluation, and secondary transition requirements.
Point of Contact
For questions, please contact Victoria Glick at [email protected].
Top Things to Know
- A 2026-27 School Year Start of School Special Education Newsletter with information pertinent to all LEA special education points of contact (SPED POCs), including updates and reminders regarding SPED POC roles and responsibilities, policy and guidance, data systems, monitoring activities, and nonpublic placement processes, will be provided by Wednesday, Aug. 19.
- OSSE has assembled a 2026-27 School Year Local Education Agency Special Education Calendar for LEAs with key dates on trainings, monitoring, and other relevant events.
- OSSE will provide training and technical assistance in key areas of practice related to Part C to B transition, reevaluation timeliness, and secondary transition requirements. OSSE-driven data analysis and monitoring practices will inform tiered technical assistance to LEAs in areas of demonstrated need throughout the school year.
- OSSE’s Child Find and Initial Evaluation Resources site and model Child Find poster contain information for families on LEA responsibilities under Part B of IDEA relating to Child Find, initial evaluation, and identification of students with disabilities. In January 2019, OSSE issued LEA Child Find Guidance and Model Child Find Policy and the Model Child Find Referral Form Template. Each year, upon return to school buildings, LEAs are required to include their LEA point of contact information in the poster header and hang it in a highly visible place within their building's main entryway for families to view.
Key Resources
- 2026-27 School Year Special Education Start of School Newsletter (publish date Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026)
- 2026-27 School Year Local Education Agency Special Education Calendar (publish date Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026)
- SPED PoC Role Description
- OSSE Special Education Process Handbook
- Child Find Dear Colleague Letter
Key Dates & Deadlines
- By Aug. 15 – OSSE issues LEA SEPR
- Aug. 19 – Start of School Special Education Newsletter
- Aug. 19 – Early Childhood Transition Policy
- Aug. 19 – Early Childhood Screening Practices Guidance
- Aug. 19 – Appropriate Designation of Dedicated Aide Services Guidance
- Aug. 19 – Strengthening Connections: Effective Communication Between School Teams and Families Guidance
- Aug. 19 – LRE Training Module
- By Oct. 31 – SEPR released publicly