A call to action is from our Policy and Legislative Committee and CASE leadership in regards to a request for comment on a redefining of Public Charge. There is also a deadline associated with this call to action–Dec 10. We are providing you with what CASE has submitted and suggestions on what to personalize. We have been told the letters must be substantially different or will not be accepted. The PDF is how it should look and the Link is the editable document. If you have any trouble, please do not hesitate to email me and I will send in a different format.
The third call to action is from our Research Committee. From time to time, we will have requests from researchers and if the CASE Research committee feels the results would be of significant benefit to our members we agree to facilitate the collection of data. We do try to keep these requests to a minimum!
The last request is one I have madein several of the weekly updates and is also a survey on Education Research.This survey is being sent out by the Insitutte of Education Science (IES) andthe Jefferson Education Exchange. If you have not taken this short survey, please do so now.
FROM OSEP
OSERS is committed to rethink anything and everything to ensure that we are in the best position to achieve our mission. Consistent with that commitment, we are beginning a process of rethinking Results Driven Accountability (RDA). This process, and any associated outcomes, will demonstrate our commitment to
support states in their work to raise expectations and improve outcomes for children with disabilities, to provideflexibility within the constructs of the law, and to partner with parents and families, and diverse stakeholders.
This process cannot be successful without input from local administrators. Please join us Tuesday, December 4, to share your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions on rethinking RDA.
OSERS Accountability Brainstorming Session: Local Administrators
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Time: 1:30pm to 2:30pm ET
Registration Link: http://ems8.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=810531
To join the call, please register using the link listed above. Once you are registered, you will receive an automated email containing the dial-in number and a personalized access code.
In preparation for this conversation, please find below a set of questions that will help frame our discussion.
General Discussion Questions
- Topic 1: State
Performance Plans/Annual Performance Reports (SPP/APRs)
- From your perspective, how can we improve the SPP/APR? What should change? What should stay the same?
- How can we improve the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP; B-17 and C-11) work? What should change? What should stay the same?
- Topic 2: Determinations
- How can we improve the determinations process? What should change? What should stay the same?
- Topic 3:
Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS)
- How can we best carry out IDEA’s monitoring and support provisions? What should change? What should stay the same?
- Topic 4: General Questions/Feedback
You may also submit input to RethinkRDA@nulled.gov. OSERS will review and consider all input, but will not respond to messages at this time.
We look forward to your participation.
Best regards,
Ruth Ryder
Deputy Director
Office of Special Education Programs
U.S. Department of Education
Email: ruth.ryder@nulled.gov
FROM CASE POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Regulatory Comments on “Public Charge”
Please weigh in by DECEMBER 10, 2018!
Background: In mid-October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed regulation known as “public charge.” You can read the proposal in full at
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-10/pdf/2018-21106.pdf .
Here’s the BOTTOM LINE: For over a 100 years “public charge” has been part of immigration law. In the past it has been used (as it seems intended now) to keep out certain groups of immigrants (Irish, Jewish, disabled, etc.). The real gist of these rules is to screen out who will be a “public charge,” i.e., dependent on public services/benefits. These benefits include, among others, Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance.
This proposal broadens the definition of “public charge” to someone who receives just one benefit/service. The new proposal would have DHS scrutinize each of along series of factors that could weigh against letting the immigrant in — for example, pre-existing health conditions, ability to get a job, and disability or having a child with a disability.
FOR SCHOOLS: If you opened the link above, you saw immediately the complexity of these rules. There is an exemption for Medicaid in schools. However, many immigrant families will not understand that and will be afraid to give consent for IDEA services, for fear of the effects on their immigration status. In fact, some CASE members have already reported this happening, including parents asking to withdraw their children from current services.
ACTION: CASE has developed comments and requests that each CASE member considers making comment. See below for details.
DEADLINE: December 10.
TAKE ACTION:
1. Use the template link and fill in district-specific information in the highlighted areas. Personal stories are critical. DHS has already indicated they will not read “form letters!” By “personalizing” the highlighted areas, you will be making it a more individualized letter! This is a critical part of the directions!
2. To submit your comments:
- Format your response as a Word/PDF document (use organizational letterhead if possible)..
- Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCIS-2010-0012-0001.
- In the ‘Comment” box, type “(name of unit) is pleased to submit the following comments on the proposed regulation on “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds.”
- Below the comment
box:
- Upload your file.
- Enter your first and last name.
- Click ‘continue.’
- Review the information on this page, including a check to ensure your document is attached.
- Click the ‘I have read and understand’ item.
- Click ‘Submit Comment.
3. NOTE: You can also send a copy of your comments to your Senators and House members. We recommend attaching to an email and indicating that the proposed regulation is of deep concern to your members
FROM CASE RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Dear CASE member;
My name is Adam Lockwood and I am an Assistant Professor of School
Psychology at Western Kentucky University. I am writing to request your assistance
in an IRB approved research study examining special education academic
assessment practices in the United States of America. Your participation
is requested because you are a special education administrator and your input
is vital to this study.
The information gathered in this study is intended to help provide data
regarding who administers the tests of academic achievement used for special
education eligibility, and what training these professionals have in this area.
As there is currently limited information on this topic, this information is
important for determining the assessment training needs of educators.
Participants who complete the survey will be eligible to participate in two
drawings for Amazon gift cards worth $150 each.
The online survey takes approximately 10 minutes
to complete. Your responses to the survey will be confidential and
protected. Those who choose to participate in this study will complete the
instrument online; the link is provided below:
Please complete the Survey:
