Bureau of Special Education Update, May 2025
Newsletter Contents: From the Director's Desk | Bureau Updates | Feedback/Input Needed | Fiscal Matters | Policies and Guidance | Abilities in Action | Training and Professional Development Highlights | Resources | Upcoming Events | State Agencies and State Partnership Updates
From the Director's Desk
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, I would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the tremendous efforts of our students, their families, and the dedicated educators who support them throughout the school year. The end of the school year is a time of reflection and achievement, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the growth, resilience, and progress made this year. Whether your child/student is transitioning to a new grade, school, graduating, or continuing their educational journey, this is a moment to acknowledge their hard work and perseverance.
This May newsletter includes a range of important updates, information, and resources designed to support students with disabilities and the educators and families who guide them.
The BSE team is in its final stages of preparation for the upcoming school year. Each year in February, the CSDE submits statewide special education data to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Additional information was provided to OSEP this spring and we are presently waiting for our statewide determination. This past year, Connecticut was one of 21 states who received a determination of Meets Requirements (the highest determination level). This is a testament to the work that is happening statewide to provide supports and services to our students. We know however, there are persistent and significant challenges that impact the services that our students receive and there is much work to be done. The BSE is in the final stages of professional learning and technical assistance proposals with our collaborative partners, finalizing contracts and agreements to provide supports in areas of need, and working with our collaborators to improve outcomes for students with disabilities statewide.
Thank you for your partnership and ongoing commitment to ensuring every student with a disability receives the support they need to thrive. I hope you find this information helpful as we wrap up another school year and prepare for the summer months ahead. Wishing you a successful and fulfilling conclusion to the school year and a well-deserved opportunity to rest and recharge.
In partnership,
Bryan Klimkiewicz, Special Education Division Director
Bureau Updates
Special Education Outplacement Rate Setting Study
In January 2025, the CSDE commissioned a study through the Center for Connecticut Education Research Collaboration (CCERC) to better understand annual rate-setting by providers for special education services to students who are outplaced by school districts. This study has been completed. The final report titled Special Education Outplacement Rate Setting: Insights from Four States, is available at CCERC Reports.
Special Education Call Center
Feedback/Input Needed
CT-SEDS Pulse Survey
The CSDE has distributed our CT-SEDS Pulse Survey (which is sent out twice annually) to obtain feedback on current experiences in CT-SEDS. We understand that this is a busy time of year for all educators, so we reduced the number of questions and have extended the timeline before closing the survey. More information to come. We look forward to reviewing your responses! View the Spring 2025 Pulse Survey. Please share the link with your staff.
Fiscal Matters
The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26) IDEA Part B Section 611/619 Subrecipient Applications (SA) were completed earlier this month by our local education agencies (LEAs). The CSDE will be processing these grants over the course of the next several weeks. We would like to thank the LEAs for their efforts in completing the SA and supplemental information, including a new Maintenance of Effort Calculator. It is wonderful to see the preparation and planning to support students with disabilities statewide! We anticipate completion of the FY 26 IDEA Part B SA review in June and awards in July. We will provide you with regular updates through the electronic grants management system throughout the process.
The CSDE has submitted our Annual State Application Under Part B of the IDEA for the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (FFY 25) to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). We received Connecticut's IDEA Part B Sections 611 and 619 allocations from OSEP on May 9 which reflected a total allocation of $158,823,892 for Section 611 (ages 3 through end of the school year during which a student turns age 22) and $5,398,783 for Section 619 (ages 3-5). NOTE: The Section 611 allocation reflects a total reduction of $361,873 from the previous grant allocation, while the Section 619 allocation reflects the same award as the previous grant allocation.
Policies and Guidance
K-3 Literacy Assessment
Per Section 10-14t(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, all local and regional boards of education, including charter schools, serving students in kindergarten to Grade 3, inclusive, must select and administer an assessment from the Approved Menu of Research-based Grades K-3 Universal Screening Reading Assessments (July 1, 2023). Administering a set of screening measures in the primary grades helps identify students who are at risk for reading difficulties and require intervention, and assists in identifying, in whole or in part, students at risk for dyslexia, or other reading-related learning disabilities. View the K-3 Literacy Assessment 4/20/26 – 6/5/26 - EOY
View the K-3 Approved Menu of Research Based Assessments
Abilities in Action
Secondary Transition Programs: Shout out to three districts!
Public Act 23-137 mandates that the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) establish minimum standards for public transition programs (PTPs) and corresponding metrics for measuring these standards. Following an extensive process that included stakeholder input and alignment with national standards, the CSDE has developed draft standards and metrics. In collaboration with SERC, the CSDE has also created a PTP review process based on these statewide standards.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the following programs for their dedication and commitment in piloting this review process and applying these standards: CES Oakview Transition Program, The Woodstock Academy STRIVE Secondary Transition Program, and Southington STELLAR. Their willingness to engage in this process demonstrates their exceptional commitment to continuous improvement and to providing high-quality services for students. Thus far, we have witnessed inspiring programming and a deep commitment to student growth and success.
The CSDE plans to finalize both the standards and the review process in preparation for the 2025/26 school year.
West Hartford Unified Sports Program earns national recognition
Watch Unified Sports at WHPS - YouTube
West Hartford Public Schools' Unified Sports program has been named a National Unified Champion School by Special Olympics—one of only three districts nationwide to also receive an ESPN Celebration Pep Rally. The honor recognizes the district's exceptional commitment to inclusion through its Unified Sports partnerships between student-athletes with and without disabilities.
The celebratory pep rally brought the entire school community together, with crowds cheering on Unified athletes as they competed alongside their peers. The district's program is particularly notable for including post-secondary students, further expanding opportunities for inclusive athletics.
"This recognition reflects the heart of our community," said Melissa Caballero, Director of Special Education in West Hartford "Seeing our students compete together—and the entire school rally behind them—was a powerful reminder of how Unified Sports brings out the best in everyone. We're proud to champion inclusivity at all levels."
For more details, view the West Hartford Unified Sports announcement.
Your district/program could be featured in the next issue! Inspire others by submitting your success stories or achievements! We look forward to hearing from you!
Training and Professional Development Highlights
CT-Dyslexia Awareness Campaign
Check out May and June events in the Dyslexia Awareness Campaign.
IEP Quality and CT-SEDS Proficiency Training
New professional learning opportunities for Summer and Fall 2025 are now live for registration. Sessions include: Core- 12 hour IEP Quality, Discipline Specific Goal Development (newly integrated with Standards Alignment), IEP Quality for School Leadership Teams, CT-SEDS Onboarding and a variety of CT-SEDS Targeted Sessions: IEP Quality & CT-SEDS Proficiency Training Registration.
The RESCs also offer In-District Training: Request In-District Training.
Resources
New Resource Available: Clarifying Programming & Oversight Responsibilities for Students Placed in APSEPS
The CSDE has released two new documents to support LEAs, APSEPs, and families in understanding the shared responsibilities for students placed in Approved Private Special Education Programs (APSEPs) Programming and Oversight Responsibilities for Students Placed in CSDE Approved Private Special Education Programs and the one page visual Programming & Oversight Responsibilities for Students Placed in Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Approved Private Special Education Programs (APSEPs) offer a summary of roles and responsibilities across a variety of topics such as: IEP implementation, funding, and progress reporting. These resources will provide clarity and empower educators and families to ensure students in APSEPs receive high-quality, well-coordinated services.
Did You Know?
Connecticut has a federally designated special education Parent Training and Information (PTI) center: The Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC). Each state has a PTI to support parents, families, educators, in their understanding of the special education process. CPAC's mission is to educate, support, and empower Connecticut's families of children and youth with any disability or chronic conditions, ages birth to 26, and the professionals who serve them.
CPAC provides training, information, and resources to educators and families. For additional information, please visit their website: Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center - CPAC
Upcoming Events
Save the Date: The Bureau of Special Education's 22nd Annual Back to School Meeting
- Friday, September 5, 2025
- Bristol Event Center, 112 Century Drive, Bristol, CT 06010
More information to come!
Advancing MTSS Conference (CES)
Systems, Science and Student Support
Join us for a transformative day of learning, collaboration, and innovation. This conference is designed for educators, administrators, and school leaders committed to strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in their districts. Join experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore best practices in MTSS implementation, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, inclusive practices, and student-centered supports. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to enhance student success through evidence-based approaches, professional collaboration, and sustainable system development.
- Thursday, May 29, 8:15- 3:45 p.m.
- CT State Community College, Bridgeport, CT
State Agencies and State Partnership Updates
Connecticut Developmental Services
Children's Services In-Home Support Program
Children's Services In-Home Support Program is for individuals from 8 years of age up to the age of 21, who are eligible for DDS services.
- Individuals must demonstrate a need that is greater than support offered by the community, state and/or federal programs.
- The In-Home Program services typically include Respite, Individualized Home Support (IHS), and Behavioral Support, along with other waivered services.