Harrisburg Project-I-Star Support

From: CALOMESE HEATHER [mailto:HCALOMES@isbe.net]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2018 4:18 PM
To: 'speddir@list.isbe.net' <speddir@list.isbe.net>
Cc: LONG MARY M <MALONG@isbe.net>; THIGPEN COSTOLA <cthigpen@isbe.net>; GRECO TAMMY <tgreco@isbe.net>; MALLOY FELICIA <FMALLOY@isbe.net>; ALLEN ZACHARY <ZALLEN@isbe.net>; WILLIAMS TODD <todwilli@isbe.net>
Subject: Update: IDEA Part B Flow Through Procedural Change

Good afternoon,

Hope you all have had a wonderful week!

In July 2018, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced a procedural change in how IDEA Part B funds will be distributed in Illinois. The Memo outlined why a procedural change was necessary and the steps that ISBE would take to support districts and cooperatives with full implementation by June 30, 2019.

ISBE also communicated this change in procedure during the Special Education Directors Conference in Springfield. Since then, there have been two calls with representatives from districts and cooperatives so that we could engage with the community regarding implementation. During those calls and in subsequent emails from our community, concerns were raised regarding the timeline ISBE presented.

ISBE continues to remain committed to supporting our districts and cooperatives during this transition. After careful consideration, ISBE will allow cooperatives the option of submitting a request for a 6-month extension to meeting these new procedural guidelines. If granted, the timeline would be extended until December 31, 2019.

ISBE’s preference remains that all cooperatives are compliant with the new procedures by June 30, 2019. However, for those cooperatives who do not feel this is possible, the extension will allow for a delayed implementation. The specific guidelines and process that will need to be followed to request the extension are still under development.

Thank you, as always, for your support and commitment to supporting our students across Illinois.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns and have a nice weekend.

Heather

Heather Calomese

Executive Director

Special Education Services

Illinois State Board of Education

217-782-5589 (Springfield and Chicago)