2021 02/19/2021 Save-the-date: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) annual Pre-ETS Vision of Collaboration Conference. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. ET, virtual conference 2020 11/16/2020 FC274 IDEA Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant Posted 11/09/2020 FC298 Early Childhood Targeted Special Education Program Improvement and Safety Grant Posted 07/30/2020 OSEP Webinar: Highlighting Resources and Practices to Support Back to School and Continuity of Learning During COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities 07/10/2020 SP601 Students with IEPs Ages 6–21 Edwin Report 07/10/2020 Comprehensive Special Education Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year Memo 07/10/2020 DESE is seeking a vendor to offer four virtual sections of the same institute on dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia 07/02/2020 New guidance from the federal Office of Special Education Programs on implementation of IDEA Part B procedural safeguards – such as digital signature and notice – in the current COVID-19 environment. Issued June 30, 2020. 07/02/2020 New guidance from the federal Office of Special Education Programs on flexibility in implementation of IDEA Part B fiscal requirements in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued June 26, 2020. 07/02/2020 New guidance from the federal Office of Special Education Programs on the implementation of IDEA Part B use of funds (in Massachusetts, Fund Codes 240 and 262) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued June 25, 2020. 06/11/2020 Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2020-3: Recommended Advance Planning for a Student with an IEP Accepted for Enrollment in a METCO District 06/02/2020 Learning Ally — Audiobooks Solution is offering ALL public districts and schools in MA complimentary access to their online audiobook solution from now until August 1, 2020. 05/21/2020 Significant Disproportionality Update - Review the ongoing support to districts at-risk of future identification and districts currently identified with significant disproportionality in special education. 04/15/2020 DESE is seeking a vendor for "Planning for Special Education Success and Providing Professional Development." Bid documents are available on COMMBUYS and due by June 12, 2020 12:00 PM. 04/09/2020 Special Education Advisory Council meeting will be held virtually April 14, 2020. 04/09/2020 COVID-19 Information and Resources for Special Educators: Additional Resources (Excel) 04/07/2020 Memo from Russell Johnston, Senior Associate Commissioner — 2019-2020 Determinations of Need for Special Education Technical Assistance or Intervention 04/06/2020 MA Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology posted updated guidance on 3/31/2020 for SLPs. 04/01/2020 FY 20 Fund Code 258 Significant Disproportionality in Special Education Targeted Federal Program Improvement Grant Extension 03/31/2020 The Special Education Directors' Regional Meetings scheduled for April 6th, 7th, and 9th have been canceled. 03/26/2020 MCAS- Alt Update: Schools do NOT need to submit MCAS-Alt portfolios by April 3. 03/18/2020 COVID-19 Information and Resources for Special Educators 03/13/2020 Meeting cancelation. The April 7, 2020 Special Education Advisory Council meeting is canceled. 03/13/2020 Webinar today at 3 PM! DESE update: Special Education and COVID-19 
