PDE Announces Compliance Monitoring Training for Peer Monitors (March 28, 2024)

On March 26, 2024, BSE Director Carole L. Clancy sent a PennLink message to all LEAS titled Compliance Monitoring Training for Peer Monitors. The message states that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has the responsibility to ensure that all school districts and charter schools administer special education programs and services that comply with state and federal laws and regulations. To fulfill this responsibility, the Bureau of Special Education (BSE) trains individuals to serve as peer monitors on special education monitoring teams. The training will review the updated monitoring procedures that peer monitors will utilize to assist in the monitoring. This includes file reviews, interviews, online data entry and logistical processes.

All interested individuals, including currently contracted peer monitors, must complete this mandated training in person to continue to serve as peer monitors for the 2024-25 school year through the 2028-29 school year. The following individuals may serve as peer monitors: current peer monitors, retired special education personnel, advocates, family members, special education administrators.

Registration is available on the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network’s (PaTTAN) website at https://www.pattan.net/events/.

This required in-person training will be offered:
Monday, May 13, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM              Allegheny IU 3
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 9:00 AM – Noon                  PaTTAN West
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 9:00 AM – Noon             Riverview IU 6
Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:00 AM – Noon                     PaTTAN Central
Monday, May 20, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM             PaTTAN East
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 9:00 AM – Noon                  Luzerne IU 18
Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM              School District of Philadelphia

Please contact Charmaine Lee at [email protected] for questions.

USDE, HHS, and PaTTAN Provide Student Discipline and Inclusion Guidance to LEAs (March 25, 2024)

On March 25, 2024, Bureau of Special Education Director Carole L. Clancy sent a PENN*LINK message to all LEAs with the subject line Recent Guidance issued by the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and PaTTAN. That message states that, for the 2023-24 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education (BSE) is sharing updated links to recent guidance issued by the U.S. Departments of Education (USDE) and Health and Human Services (HHS). The links below will cover the topics of discipline provisions for students with disabilities as set forth in the Individuals with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), inclusion of students with disabilities in early childhood programs, general supervision responsibilities, student discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, military-connected children with disabilities and Intervener Services. These links are provided for review.

For additional information, please visit the following sites.

For questions about the recent guidance, please email Tim Krushinski [email protected].

PDE to LEAs: Review of Enrollments in the Approved Private School Electronic Management (APSEM) System (March 23, 2024)

On March 20, 2024 Bureau of Special Education Director Carole L. Clancy, Director sent a PENN*LINK to LEAs with the subject line: Review of Enrollments in the Approved Private School Electronic Management (APSEM) System. It stated that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) recently received a notification about reviewing School Year 2022-23 4010 enrollments through the Approved Private School Electronic Management (APSEM) system.

LEAs are advised to use the following instructions to review their Approved Private School (APS) enrollments:
1. Log-in as an APS or a LEA User.
2. Click the Reports link on the header.
3. Choose the 4010 Enrollment Report from the report dropdown.
4. Choose 2022-2023 from the School Year dropdown.
5. Click on the Run button.
5. Click the Open button at the bottom of the screen to open the spreadsheet.
6. Review the 4010 enrollments data, including the student’s name, date of birth, primary exceptionality, age category, etc.

Recipients of the message are asked to forward it to the individual responsible for the APSEM data review in their APS or LEA. Questions regarding this information should go to Eileen Jacobs at 717-267-6652 or [email protected].

ICYMI: PA Department Of Health Offers Training To Tackle Changing Overdose Epidemic (March 21, 2024)

The Shapiro Administration has added new tools to help health care providers and public safety professionals across the Commonwealth battle the overdose and opioid crisis. The PA Department of Health (PDH) launched new training opportunities to help prevent unintentional drug overdoses. These online courses are offered at no cost and include continuing education credits for health care providers which may also meet various licensing requirements.

These trainings, resources and more information are available at the Department of Health’s website for health care providers and public safety professionals.

Shapiro Administration Awards More Than $39 Million In Grant Funding To 36 School Districts To Create Safe, Healthy Environments For Kids (March 19, 2024)

On March 15, 2024, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin announced that more than $39 million was awarded to 36 school entities in 21 counties to establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments in public elementary and secondary schools; and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate in school communities.

The list of awardees can be found on the PDE website.

Through the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant (SCG), high-need local education agencies (LEA) can use funding to promote the social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being of students and staff; address family and community engagement; and promote equitable and inclusive policies and practices.

A high-need LEA is defined as a school district or charter school that received ESEA Title IV, Part A funding in fiscal year 2022 and meets one or more of the following “high-need” criteria: a high rate of poverty, a lack of mental health supports available to students, high rates of violence and/or traumatic incidents in the school or community, and high rates of school exclusion.

This funding complements the priorities set by Governor Josh Shapiro in his 2024-25 budget proposal. The proposal includes a nearly $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding – the largest in Pennsylvania history. The budget also includes $300 million for school environmental repairs, $100 million for mental health supports in schools, a $50 million increase for special education funding, a $50 million annual investment in school safety and security improvements, and $30 million to build and support the educator workforce.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the Department of Education website