State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Offers Updates on Special Education Family Survey, SPED Advisory Panel, and Improving Outcomes for Students
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen is pleased to announce that the annual special education family survey is now being offered digitally. This survey is part of the state’s Annual Performance Report (APR), which requires states to report on the engagement of families in the special education process to improve services and results for children of varying abilities. The new digital format will be sent to families from their local schools. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the survey will open in the fall and remain open all year. The questions were revised and developed with feedback from Montana special education stakeholders around the state including the Special Education Advisory Panel.
“Family engagement and a focus on results-based outcomes leads to higher academic achievement,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I am appreciative of all the work our Special Education Advisory Panel and our special education experts have done for Montana students of all abilities and their families.”
The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) provides policy advice on special education and related services for children of varying abilities to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. SEAP meets fourth of five meetings will take place on March 12th at the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). The final meeting of the year will take place on April 25, 2024. The panel is made up of 21 Montana parents, educators, and special education professionals. A full membership list can be viewed here.
The OPI’s Special Education School Improvement Unit is in the planning stages of advancing changes to the monitoring process for school districts. The change will incorporate Results-Based Accountability (RBA) to bolster the monitoring process by focusing on improving outcomes for students. RBA will incorporate fiscal monitoring, timely and valid data submissions, and dispute resolution. Currently, the monitoring process only checks for compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) laws and regulations.
For more information, please contact Danni McCarthy at dmccarthy@mt.gov.
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