From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Tue Jan 3 10:33:07 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 10:33:07 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] 2011 Tax Exemption for Parents of Children with Disabilities Message-ID: TO: All District and ESD Special Education Directors The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 3, 2012 RE: 2011 Tax Exemption for Parents of Children with Disabilities The following summary is a resource for parents to obtain information concerning the Oregon tax exemption for parents of children with disabilities. This basic information will provide you and your staff an understanding of the exemption. Feel free to share this information as appropriate in your district and with parents. The Oregon Tax Code provides an additional tax exemption for parents of eligible children with disabilities in Oregon. The procedure for claiming an exemption for the 2011 tax year is explained in the Oregon Individual Income Tax Return and Instruction booklets. Who qualifies for the exemption? A child qualifies if he or she meets all of the following criteria: * Qualifies as your dependent for tax year 2011; * Is eligible for early intervention services, early childhood special education services or receives special education as defined by the State Board of Education of the state where the child attends school; and * Is considered to have a disability as of December 31, 2011 under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related Oregon laws. Eligible disability categories include: Autism (code # 82); Hearing Impairment (20); Serious Emotional Disturbance (60); Deafblind (43); Vision Impairment (40); Other Health Impairment (80); Traumatic Brain Injury (74); Orthopedic Impairment (70); and Intellectual Disability (10). As per Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 316.099, children receiving special education services for communication disorders (50) and specific learning disabilities (90) do not qualify for this tax exemption. What documentation must be submitted with your tax return to qualify for this exemption? The tax instruction booklet explains that your child must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and an eligibility statement for one of the qualifying disabilities listed above. A copy of the IEP or IFSP coversheet and a copy of the student's eligibility statement may be obtained from the school district. The coversheet and copy of the eligibility statement should be kept with the child's permanent health and education records, as maintained by the family - they DO NOT need to be submitted with your tax return. Parents are advised to store an additional copy with their 2011 tax records. To claim the exemption on your 2011 state taxes, write the child's name along with the names of all other dependents on the line titled "All dependents" (line 6c on Form 40). In addition, write the name of the eligible child on the line provided for "Disabled children only" (line 6d on Form 40). Oregon Department of Revenue Online Instructions and Forms For further information and assistance in completing your tax forms, consult a tax professional or contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 1-800-356-4222. Instructions and forms for tax year 2011 are currently available online at www.oregon.gov/DOR/forms.shtml. If you have further questions, you may contact Robbi Perry, Information Specialist, Office of Student Learning and Partnerships, at the Department of Education at 503-947-5782 or robbi.perry at state.or.us. Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Wed Jan 4 12:54:35 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 12:54:35 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] Take This Survey When You Can Message-ID: TO: All District and ESD Special Education Directors The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 4, 2012 RE: Take This Survey When You Can Hello - I am hoping you can take time to complete the survey on the ESES waiver. The link to the survey is below. We need feedback from our special education perspective. It is not a difficult survey to complete. Each of the sections has a summary of the content in the waiver and then a set of questions. Feel free to use the comment section for each part as you feel necessary. I certainly did! Thanks much! Nancy Latini ************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Oregon's first draft of its application for an ESEA Flexibility request, including waivers from key provisions of No Child Left Behind, is ready for your review. The waiver provides a first-hand look at a new accountability and reporting system for our state. Your input will be valuable and early input may be even more valuable as we will start looking at survey results right away. Oregon's draft waiver proposal is the product of months of work by over 100 educators, business and community leaders, and government staff. Some of the issues addressed in the waivers include: * A process for revising and improving the Oregon Report Card, * Recommendations for including measures beyond standardized testing to provide a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to college and career success, * A process for identifying schools and districts with greatest need for support, * A customized system of supports and interventions based on diagnosis, * Changes to Title IA funding and opportunities for schools and districts identified for improvement * Guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation, and * Plans for implementation of college and career ready standards and assessments Your feedback is important to us and will help guide us as we create a new accountability and reporting system for Oregon. Please take a few minutes from now until January 10, 2012 to review the first draft of Oregon's ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request. You can find the ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request, survey and you're welcome to leave your comments by clicking here: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3475 Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Mon Jan 9 07:25:43 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 07:25:43 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] Common Core Standards for January Message-ID: The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 9, 2012 RE: Common Core Standards for January Greetings. As promised I am sending this month's update on Common Core State Standards. The information is on the link below. Here is the link to this month's with CCSS articles. www.ode.state.or.us/pubs/eii/eiiupdatejan2012.pdf Nancy Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Mon Jan 9 11:48:58 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:48:58 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] 2012 FLASH Training Dates Message-ID: The message below is being forwarded to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 9, 2012 RE: 2012 FLASH Training Dates We are offering FLASH Curriculum training called Meeting the Sexuality Education Needs of Special Education Students with presenter, Brad Victor, MAT, Sexuality Education Specialist, of ODE. This is for Oregon Special Education Teachers at no cost. Please see the attached flyer for the locations and dates. Contact Brad Victor at brad.victor at state.or.us or 503-947-5655 to register or if you have any questions. If you have any difficulty viewing this document, please contact Ruby Sandberg at ruby.sandberg at state.or.us or 503-947-5738. Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: FLASH flyer 2012.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 81709 bytes Desc: FLASH flyer 2012.pdf URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Wed Jan 11 13:13:32 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:13:32 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] Approval Process for Alternate IEP Forms Message-ID: The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 11, 2012 Oregon Department of Education Office of Special Education 255 Capitol Street NE January 11, 2012 Salem, OR 97310-0203 TO: School District and ESD Superintendents FROM: Nancy Latini RE: Approval Process for Alternate IEP Forms OREGON ALTERNATE IEP FORM APPROVAL PROCESS Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-015-2215, all districts and ESDs in Oregon must use the Oregon Standard IEP form, unless they have applied for and been granted approval for use of an alternate IEP form by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Any districts or ESDs who received prior ODE approval for alternate IEP forms must reapply for approval of any alternate IEP forms if they decide not to use the Oregon Standard IEP. The Oregon Standard IEP form is available in two formats: for students age 15 or younger when the IEP is in effect; and for students age 16 and older when the IEP is in effect (transition age students). To review the Oregon Standard IEP form, go to http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1163. Districts and ESDs may now apply for approval for use of an alternate IEP form for the 2012-2013 school year. The due date for submission of the application to use an alternate IEP form is February 27, 2012. The directions for submission of an alternate IEP form are attached and are also available online: http://www.ode.state.or.us/pubs/forms/iep/alternateiepguide.doc All questions related to the submission of alternate IEP forms can be directed to Robbi Perry, 503-947-5782 or e-mail robbi.perry at state.or.us . Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2012 Guidelines for Alternate IEP Forms.doc Type: application/msword Size: 91136 bytes Desc: 2012 Guidelines for Alternate IEP Forms.doc URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Thu Jan 12 14:47:51 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:47:51 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] IDEA Excess Cost Calculation 10-11 Message-ID: The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 12, 2012 Re: IDEA Excess Cost Calculation 10-11 - Business Managers are also receiving this message. This message is being sent to all District Special Education Directors and Business Managers to announce the opening of the "IDEA Excess Cost Calculation 10-11" web-based data collection. Open: 1/12/12 Close: 3/12/12 This year, the collection will be web-based, and all districts must submit data via consolidated collections on the ODE District site (https://district.ode.state.or.us). Collection related information (including the recently updated Excess Cost template) can be found at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=371. There is also a link to the materials and video training from 1/10/12 located here: https://district.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=211. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Smith directly at 503-947-5711 or steve.w.smith at state.or.us Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Wed Jan 18 14:48:17 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:48:17 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] Interagency Letter RE: HB 2283/2285 Message-ID: The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 18, 2012 RE: Interagency Letter RE: HB 2283/2285 The message below was jointly composed by representatives of the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Oregon Department of Human Service's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Office of Developmental Disability Services. This message is being distributed by the ODE, OCDD, and OVRS to their respective stakeholders. Thank you. Nancy Latini MESSAGE: The passage of House Bill (HB) 2283 is causing some confusion regarding the implementation of services for youth with disabilities ages 18 through 21. The two main areas of concern are the provision of "other" services by non-educational agencies and the interagency agreement. The intent of HB 2283 was to ensure all students have access to instructional hours, hours of transition services and hours of other services that are designed to: 1. Meet the unique needs of the student; and, 2. When added together, provide a total number of hours of instruction and services to the student that equals at least the total number of instructional hours that is required to be provided to students who are attending a public high school (990 hrs/yr). HB 2283 encourages collaboration among all agencies providing services to the student. However, education, human services, Community Developmental Disability Programs, support service brokerage and employment programs cannot supplant services that are the responsibility of another agency. A copy of this bill can be viewed at http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2200.dir/hb2283.en.pdf The purpose of this transmittal is to inform the field that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Office of Developmental Disability Services (DD), and the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) have joined forces to clarify implementation of this new law, so that all partners can continue to focus on the outcomes for this group of students. Until the final education rules are in place and agreements are announced, this transmittal is providing you guidance in your work relationships with other agencies. General Information about Education Expectations * Students on IEPs are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) through their 21st year, or until they earn an Oregon high school diploma. * A school district or public charter school cannot unilaterally decrease the total number of hours of instruction and services provided to students. As required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the IEP team determines services that are needed to meet the unique needs of the student. If the IEP team determines that fewer than 990 hours should be provided, a written statement that explains the reasons for the reduction must be included on the IEP. * Transition is not a "program" but a coordinated set of activities designed to facilitate successful movement from school to post school activities. It takes the coordinated efforts of many partners for a student's transition to be successful. * Educational transition activities include instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. School districts are not responsible for the development of employment. Schools are responsible for helping develop the skills needed to reach the employment objectives. They are not responsible for identifying an actual paid job and providing the support in the job. In 1997, the intent of IDEA was to make certain that in addressing transition, IEPs were not just based on traditional academic goals/objectives, but would be addressing the post school vision of each student. Thus, in 2004 regulation for post-secondary goals was established. * The IEP must include measurable post-secondary goals in the areas of education, training, and employment and where appropriate, independent living skills. School districts are required to get the student ready to meet these post-secondary goals. Annual transition goals, transition services, and courses of study are educational requirements needed to assist the student to reach those post-secondary goals. IDEA also requires IEP teams to invite to the IEP meeting other agencies who may provide or pay for services. General Agency (non educational) Expectations * The Medicaid Waiver funding cannot be used to fund transition activities considered the responsibility of education. * Collaboration among non-education agencies and school districts is permitted and encouraged in HB 2283. The hours of services that are not educational, provided during the school day, and paid for or provided by non-education agencies may be included in the calculation of the total hours of service. However, this is dependent on a mutually agreed IEP that is consistent with the requirements and program guidelines of each partner. Services provided by non-education agencies after school hours are not to be considered educational services and cannot be counted in the calculation of the total hours of service. * Mutually agreed upon transition and other services provided by non-education entities may be provided at any time during the day but must not supplant required educational services. Transition services and other services may be provided to the student through an interagency agreement entered into by the school district if the student's IEP indicates that the services may be provided by another agency. An agency is not required to change any eligibility criteria or enrollment standards prior to entering into an interagency agreement. More specific guidance will be issued once the cross-agency agreements are made on coordination of these critical transition activities. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact your state liaison for further explanation or clarification. Thank you for all you do for the students in Oregon as we prepare them to become healthy, productive and satisfied adults within their communities. For further information contact Jackie Burr, Secondary Transition Specialist at phone 503-947-5639 or email Jackie.burr at state.or.us. Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruby.sandberg at state.or.us Thu Jan 26 10:29:01 2012 From: ruby.sandberg at state.or.us (SANDBERG Ruby) Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:29:01 -0800 Subject: [SE-Dir] Spanish Translation of 2011 Tax Exemption Information Message-ID: TO: All District and ESD Special Education Directors The message below is being sent to you on behalf of: Nancy Latini, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Learning & Partnerships ______________________________________________ January 26, 2012 RE: Spanish Translation of 2011 Tax Exemption for Parents of Children with Disabilities Several weeks ago I sent you some resource information to share with district staff and parents regarding the Oregon tax exemption for parents of children with disabilities. Please see the attachment for the Spanish translation of the Oregon tax exemption information or click on the link to access the information on our website http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?ID=7948&TypeID=4. If you have further questions, you may contact Robbi Perry, Information Specialist, Office of Student Learning and Partnerships, at the Department of Education at 503-947-5782 or robbi.perry at state.or.us. Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant Office of Student Learning & Partnerships Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5738 FAX: 503-378-5156 ruby.sandberg at state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: tax exemption 2011 web posting.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 21871 bytes Desc: tax exemption 2011 web posting.docx URL: