Superintendent Arntzen Welcomes United States Office of Special Education Programs Director, Valerie Williams, to the 26th OPI Summer Institute

• Brian O'Leary
• June 16 2023

HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen welcomes Valerie Williams, Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the US Department of Education to  the 26^th Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Summer Institute on June 21, 2023. Director Williams is one of four main keynote speakers at the Summer Institute. She will provide a detailed overview of OSEP and explain OSEP’s required work projects—including nearly $45 million annually to Montana for special education. Director Williams will then share her priorities and how OSEP is addressing current challenges in the provision of special education across the country. Finally, Director Williams will show how participants  can be involved in improving outcomes for our nations’ children with disabilities.

“I very much appreciate Director Williams’ “yes” to joining Montana at the Summer Institute,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “As Montana focuses on personalized learning, all student abilities point to success. What a great educational opportunity for our parents, teachers, and school leaders! Please join me in welcoming Director Williams to Montana.”

This year sessions will be offered to the over 600 attendees by 27 OPI staff members and 130 other educational experts. The other three keynote addresses are:

• Tim Odegard and Dr. Danielle Thompson – Dyslexia: The Big Picture
• Jani Kozlowski, MA– The Centrality of Relationships with Children and Families
• Susan Barrett, MA – The Way Forward: Leveraging Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for Effective School Mental Health

Director Williams is responsible for overseeing administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which authorizes formula grants to states under IDEA Part B and to lead agencies for the infants and families program under IDEA Part C. Williams was born in White Sands, New Mexico, and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Arts in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University. She has a unique perspective, having worked with members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill, with advocacy organizations, supporting state special education leaders, and most importantly, being the parent of a son with Down syndrome.