“THE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR”

Deborah Dominguez-Clark,

State Special Education Director

Special Education Division

October 11, 2022

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DAILY�

ITEMS FOR SURVIVAL

• Study the Law- Know your Federal and State Regulations

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• Look at the Prior Written Notice. Can you tell the story? Are the goals measurable?

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• Get in touch with legal support. We can provide support for questions but we cannot provide legal advice.

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• Please print out the purple book and tab it up.
• Review IEPs from COVID. What do they look like?

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SURVIVAL

• Know your budget and your application.
• Get a mentor through NMCASE
• Know your Education administrator at PED
• Know the NMPED website! www.ped.nm.state.us
• Review your determination letters (your district may be placed on Corrective Action Plan CAP) If that happens, you must address it immediately.
• Sbicca Brodeur is our parent liaison. Please have parents reach out to her is there are concerns. (505) 490-2490 Sbicca.Brodeur2@state.nm.us

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INDICATORS

• Learn the SPP indicators- There are specific data targets that the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has mandated that each state must assess and report in its Annual Performance Report (APR).

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• The indicators represent key areas in which schools need to improve in order to increase student’s short-term and long-term achievements and outcomes. (Think of this as an IEP for the State.)

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INDICATORS

SURVIVAL

• Be familiar with the NMPED SEB website- especially the Technical assistance manuals. PRINT THEM
• Communicate with your principals, teachers, ancillary and parents.
• Return phone calls within 24 hours.
• Learn your budget and have it support the goals of the district. All statements must support student learning.
• Preschool assessment (3y/4y) – Early Childhood Outcomes within the first 30 days must be completed within the first 30 days the child begins program. Early Childhood Observation Tool (ECOT) is the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) approved assessment. Please contact Catherine Quick if there are any questions. (505) 470-9013 https://nmped.catalog.instructure.com/ Remember, preschool is for students that are in need of intensive intervention
• UDL https://www.crecnm.org/UDL-Professional-Learning Our students are in the general education classroom is a successful model. NM UDL Cafes: Cafes meet every third Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Register here
• Teacher support for mentorship. https://www.rec9nm.org/R9-Teacher-Mentorship-Program

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EVERY DAY IS A NEW ADVENTURE

We are all still learning.

SURVIVAL

• If you ever get down, go to the preschool classrooms and watch the kids. Ten minutes can make you feel better.

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SURVIVAL

• Laugh to keep from crying
• Ask for help from other directors. We share everything.
• You will become a therapist, counselor, psychologist, surrogate parent, and overall expert on all areas of disability and special education laws.
• Remember Gifted education does not fall under special education. Your district may have you oversee it. Christopher Vian is your contact. Call him there are changes coming C: (505) 231-0766

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SURVIVAL

• Know that you do know everything and have the patience to learn. You are affecting lives.
• Take breaks. Keep as a reminder “Do what is best for the children” and you can never go wrong.
• There's always a new disorder or dysfunction discovered. The world of special education is constantly evolving.
• Special Education laws always change. Stay current.

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TEAM MANUAL- PRINT IT

The New Mexico T.E.A.M.

New Mexico Public Education Department

January 2017

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http://www.ped.state.nm.us/SEB/technical/NMTeamManual.pdf

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Determining Eligibility

for IDEA Part B

Special Education Services

New Mexico Public Education Department

Special Education Bureau

120 South Federal Place, Room 206

Santa Fe, NM 87501

11 CONSIDERATIONS FOR AUTISM

The eleven best practices to consider are:

• Extended Educational Programming
• Daily Schedules reflecting minimal unstructured time and active engagement in learning
• Activities
• In-home and Community-Based Training or viable alternatives that assist the student with
• acquisition of social/behavioral skills
• Positive Behavior Support Strategies
• Futures Planning
• Parent/Family Training and Support
• Staff-to-Student Ratio
• Communication Interventions• Social Skills Supports
• Professional Educator/Staff Support
• Teaching Strategies based in peer-reviewed, and/or research based practices

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SURVIVAL

• Make sure every 14 year old has a transition plan. The 60 day timeline means 60 days. The 60-day timeline begins when the LEA receives written consent from the parent for an initial multidisciplinary team evaluation. The 60-day timeline ends when the evaluation(s) is completed. The dates are based on the actual number of calendar days between consent to evaluate and the evaluation completion.
• Special education is probably the most litigious of all academic disciplines. So much is riding on services given to the students. One wrong move and teachers - or the entire school district - can be sued.

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SURVIVAL

• All students who receive special education are general education students. Special ed is a service. Team them up and train them together. It is a partnership.

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SURVIVAL

• Some teachers don't accommodate. Teach them and then if they don’t comply, take action. Don’t create a situation of deliberate indifference.

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SURVIVAL

• Be the expert. Its an uphill battle. But the rewards are great.

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SURVIVAL

• Pay attention to all memos

YOUR BEST OFFENSE AND DEFENSE IS TO BE PREPARED

1. Know the law

2. Get a mentor

3. Ask for help

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QUESTIONS????

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Have a great year!

Make a difference!