What is ListServ (SELs/SELs2)?
February 2000, the Office of Special Education created the Special Education Listserv (SELS). It has been and continues to be a limited e-mail group (with listserv being a misnomer since it really isn’t a listserv) available to only one contact person per school district/responsible public agency. It is used by the Office to disseminate important special education information concerning funding, compliance, data collection, professional development, etc.
The Office has created a second e-mail group called SELs2. This e-mail group is open to anyone wanting to subscribe (principals, teachers, parents, etc.). It will allow subscribers to receive the EXACT same messages as subscribers to SELs. By creating this second e-mail group, all constituents interested in special education will have the opportunity to receive the Office’s e-mail messages, not just one contact per school district/responsible public agency. It also allows DESE to maintain the ability to make sure that every district has at least one contact person per district receiving these messages. Messages are from DESE only and may only be posted by the manager (Lina Browner, Office of Special Education). Members may not post messages to either SELs or SELs2.
How Do I Subscribe?
Those interested in subscribing to SELs2 can do so by going to the following the links below.
Questions or Problems Subscribing to SELs and/or needing to change SELs information, contact Lina Browner, Executive Assistant, Office of Special Education at (573) 751-5739 or via email at Lina.Browner@dese.mo.gov
SELs
SELs2
SELs Archives
- Missouri Pathway for Aspiring Leaders (MoPAL) Special Education Leadership Endorsement - Changes to the 2026 Cohort Application Process
Source: Gwen Deimeke, Coordinator, Office of Special Education
Intended Audience: School District Employees that have earned an Educational Administrators Certificate (Special Education Directors, Principals, Superintendents, etc.)
Date: April 3, 2026
***Changes – 1. You no longer need to upload a letter from your superintendent. We will contact your superintendent if you are selected for the program.
2. If your Administrator Certification has expired, you may still apply to MoPAL and will be eligible for a Special Education Administrator Certificate upon program completion.***
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Special Education developed a curriculum to provide a pathway to attain a high-quality education with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to be an effective special education leader at the district level. Central to this vision is the Missouri Pathway for Aspiring Leaders in Special Education (MoPAL) program.
MoPAL is a three-year, DESE sponsored program. Individuals who currently hold a Missouri administrator certificate are eligible for participation at no cost. Through this program, aspiring leaders receive essential content through online professional learning modules, cohort learning experiences, coaching, and mentoring. During the first two years in the MoPAL program, participants complete a series of seven online modules focused on leadership issues in special education. The modules in the first year focus on foundational elements of special education leadership including special education law, continuous improvement practices, and special education finance. In the second year, modules focus on leadership for quality special education instructional practices including high impact instructional practices, data-based decision making, effective teaching and learning practices, and family/community participation. All modules have been vetted by both DESE special education improvement consultants and Missouri special education administrators through MO-CASE. All participants are assigned a MoPAL consultant who helps participants anchor module content to real-world application through cohort meetings and one-on-one visits. During each participant’s third year, they receive individualized coaching and support as they complete a capstone project. MoPAL’s goal is to increase the number of qualified special education directors in our state, inspiring them to be innovative leaders who set the path for the use of research-based approaches to supporting students with disabilities in Missouri.
All qualified applications will be accepted thru April 30, 2026. Applications received after that time will be considered as availability allows.
For more information regarding MoPAL, click here.
If you need further assistance, contact Gwen Deimeke at Gwen.Deimeke@dese.mo.gov or 573-751-2965.
- Verification of Data to be Used in FY 27 IDEA Part B (Section 611 and Section 619) Allocation Calculations
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Finance Administrators
Date: March 31, 2026
Action Required: Yes
Deadline: April 10, 2026
Local education agencies (LEAs) have an opportunity to verify that correct data have been reported for use in determining FY 27 IDEA Part B (Section 611 and Section 619) allocations. Preliminary data as of February 27, 2026, to be used in FY 27 IDEA Part B (Section 611 and Section 619) allocations for LEAs can be reviewed here. Any corrections to PK-12 September Enrollment, Parentally Placed Private School Student, Non-Resident, Home School, and Federal Programs Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) data must be made in the system in which they were reported no later than midnight April 10, 2026. FRL data includes FRL students in grades K-12 found in the MOSIS October Student Core file. Any data changes made after April 10, 2026, will not be included in the FY 27 IDEA Part B (Section 611 and Section 619) allocation calculations. LEAs are responsible for verifying that any updates/changes are saved. Errors on reporting this data could result in a decrease in the LEA's FY 27 IDEA Part B (Section 611 and Section 619) allocations.
The CEP Identified Student percentage, Non-Public, and Neglected/Delinquent counts on the data spreadsheet are unable to be changed in the MOSIS system. Please contact the Special Education Finance Section with questions at 573-526-5283 or spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- Missouri State Plan for Special Education
Source: Samantha Ryan, Director, Special Education Compliance
Intended Audience: Superintendents and Administrators of Special Education
Date: March 31, 2026
Federal regulations implementing Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require responsible local education agencies (LEAs) providing for the education of children with disabilities within their jurisdiction to have in effect policies, procedures, and programs that are consistent with the state policies established under applicable federal regulations 34 C.F.R. §300.201.
Amendments to the Missouri State Plan for Special Education went into effect on March 31, 2026. Adopting Local Compliance Plans will not be required at this time. We will require the adoption of a local compliance plan in the fall 2026 semester.
If you have any questions, please contact the Special Education Compliance section at 573-751-0699 or secompliance@dese.mo.gov.
- Special Education Finance Monthly Webinar – April 7
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Bookkeepers, Financial Administrators, ECSE Directors
Date: March 25, 2026
The Special Education Finance Section will be hosting the regularly scheduled monthly training webinar Tuesday, April 7 at 9:00 a.m. Topics will include Verification of Data, Maintenance of Effort, and ECSE Expenditure Coding.
This webinar will be recorded and available on the Special Education Finance Training webpage.
To attend the monthly fiscal webinar, please go to WebEx or dial 650-479-3207 to join by phone.
Meeting Number: 2632 745 5627
Meeting Password: M3MuchByJ75These webinars are scheduled the first Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. The call-in information will be the same as what is listed above for each call. If you have any questions, please email the Special Education Finance Section at spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- FY 26 Payment for High Need Fund (HNF)
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Financial Administrators
Date: March 25, 2026
A second FY 26 High Need Fund (HNF) payment for services provided during the 2024-25 school year will be received by districts in the month of March. Districts will receive state HNF revenue in their payment. Payment amounts for the second payment are posted on the Special Education Finance webpage. Due to a substantial increase in HNF costs incurred by districts in the 2024-25 school year, there was nearly a $31 million shortfall in HNF funding. A supplemental request was submitted for an appropriation increase to cover the total shortfall, but only $14,705,004 was approved for this budget year. As a result, districts will only be receiving a prorated percentage of reimbursement at this time and can expect to receive the remaining HNF state payment for the 2024-25 school year in July 2026.
State revenue will be listed under revenue code 5381 on the payment transmittal. The state revenue received may be used at the district's discretion. There are no DESE assigned project codes for coding expenditures paid with state HNF funds.
Please contact the Special Education Finance Section if you have questions at spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- Missouri State University Blind and Low Vision program announces an online eight-week summer class entitled Assessment and Instruction of Individuals with Cortical Visual Impairments (CVI)
Source: Kristin Funk, Assistant Director, Effective Practices
Intended Audience: Practicing Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), or professionals working in a related discipline
Date: March 24, 2026
This three credit hour graduate course is designed to provide participants with an up-to-date review of applied research and procedures for work with individuals with Cortical Visual Impairments (CVI). The course will include case studies, analysis of assessment data, environmental observations, and development of instructional strategies aligned with current CVI research and best practices. Special consideration will also be given to orientation and mobility implications for individuals with CVI, including environmental complexity, visual attention, and safe travel in school and community settings. This online eight-week summer class does not replace required DESE certification coursework in Blind and Low Vision but might be used to meet requirements for the MSED in BLV and O&M tracks with approval by the program.
To register for this class, use the codes: SPE 710 Section 897 CRN 38942. There are no pre-requisites for this course. This online instruction is offered during summer 2026. Enrollment is available beginning April 22, 2026. Instruction begins June 1, 2026.
Please direct questions or comments to the program director, Dr. Chris Craig, at ChrisCraig@missouristate.eduor by calling 417-836-5215.
- Part B Application
Intended Audience: System Stakeholders in Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Date: March 20, 2026
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
All states making application for funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to make available for public review and comment the application packet for those federal funds. These are the funds that support provision of special education services to children ages 3 to 21 in Missouri. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has developed the draft application packet for IDEA Part B funds and by this notice is making the application available for review and comment.
The application packet, developed by the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), includes a summary of the assurances, certifications, and IDEA use of funds descriptions that the state will use to implement Part B of IDEA. Upon OSEP's approval of Missouri's Part B application, the state will receive a federal grant award under Part B of IDEA for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
As you review the application, please note the following:
- The application is in a format required by OSEP.
- Missouri is providing general assurances to OSEP that the state will be implementing the provisions of state and federal regulations for Part B of IDEA 2004.
- The dollar amounts listed in Section III, Use of Funds, are for State-level Administration and Targeted Initiatives; not the cost of serving students with disabilities or the total cost of special education services in Missouri.
- OSEP has not yet published the FFY 2026 IDEA allocations to states or provided states with their interactive spreadsheets to include with the Annual Application for Part B Funds. OSEP has advised states to insert the interactive spreadsheet from the previous year's application (in this case FFY 2025) for purposes of starting public comment. When the FFY 2026 spreadsheet becomes available, Missouri will add it to the posted application and remove the FFY 2025 spreadsheet named Grant Expenditures FFY 2025.
The application is available for review on our website from March 20, 2026, through May 20, 2026. Written public comments on the draft Part B application packet may be submitted from April 1, 2026, until the close of business on April 30, 2026, to the attention of Gwen Deimeke, IDEA Coordinator, at IDEA.comments@dese.mo.gov or P. O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 or by fax 573-751-3910.
- Transition from First Steps to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)-Updated Recorded Presentation
Source: Beth Loethen, Office of Childhood
Intended Audience: Special Education Administrators, Coordinators, and Educators
Date: March 17, 2026
An updated presentation, Transition from First Steps to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), is available on the Office of Childhood’s website. Please note there are no major changes to First Steps Or ECSE transition requirements; updates were made for clarity and to align with current Practice Manual Chapter 10 guidance.
The first part of the presentation includes information on the First Steps requirements for notification to ECSE, the opt out policy, transition meeting types, and late referrals. The second part of the presentation addresses ECSE requirements for the evaluation process and timelines for children transitioning from First Steps.
Please review the recorded presentation and related materials.
- Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) Message from Superintendent
Source: Whitney Lammers, Community Relations Facilitator
Date: March 18, 2026
As local education agencies serving students and families across Missouri, you may be interested in receiving regular communications from the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) within the Office of Special Education. Please refer to the resources below for a video message from the MSSD Superintendent, Dr. Greg Caine, and the current monthly newsletter from MSSD.
- MSSD Superintendent Video Message
- MSSD February Newsletter
- Sign up to receive MSSD Communications
Please contact MSSD Central Office at mssd@dese.mo.gov if you have questions and/or would like to receive additional information.
- Missouri Pathway of Aspiring Leaders (Mo-PAL) Special Education Leadership Endorsement – APPLY NOW FOR THE 2026 Cohort!
Source: Gwen Deimeke, Coordinator, Office of Special Education
Intended Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Directors, Process Coordinators, Special Education Teachers
Date: February 26, 2026
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Special Education developed a curriculum to provide a pathway to attain a high-quality education with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to be an effective special education leader at the district level. Central to this vision is the Missouri Pathway for Aspiring Leaders in Special Education (MoPAL) program.
MoPAL is a three-year, DESE sponsored program. Individuals who currently hold a Missouri administrator certificate are eligible for participation at no cost. Through this program, aspiring leaders receive essential content through online professional learning modules, cohort learning experiences, coaching, and mentoring. During the first two years in the MoPAL program, participants complete a series of seven online modules focused on leadership issues in special education. The modules in the first year focus on foundational elements of special education leadership including special education law, continuous improvement practices, and special education finance. In the second year, modules focus on leadership for quality special education instructional practices including high impact instructional practices, data-based decision making, effective teaching and learning practices, and family/community participation. All modules have been vetted by both DESE special education improvement consultants and Missouri special education administrators through MO-CASE. All participants are assigned a MoPAL consultant who helps participants anchor module content to real-world application through cohort meetings and one-on-one visits. During each participant’s third year, they receive individualized coaching and support as they complete a capstone project. MoPAL’s goal is to increase the number of qualified special education directors in our state, inspiring them to be innovative leaders who set the path for the use of research-based approaches to supporting students with disabilities in Missouri.
All qualified applications will be accepted until April 30, 2026. Applications received after that time will be considered as availability allows.
For more information regarding MoPAL, visit this web page.
If you need further assistance, contact Gwen Deimeke at Gwen.Deimeke@dese.mo.gov or 573-751-2965.
- Special Education Finance Monthly Webinar – March 3
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Bookkeepers, Financial Administrators, ECSE Directors, and Superintendents
Date: February 24, 2026
The Special Education Finance Section will be hosting the next monthly webinar on Tuesday, March 3 at 9:00 a.m. Topics will include Coding Special Education Expenditures, Budget Revisions, Proportionate Share FAQs, Tracking Proportionate Share, and Proportionate Share Carryover Release Requests. This webinar will be recorded and available on the Special Education Finance Training webpage.
To attend the monthly fiscal webinar, click here or join by phone by dialing 1-650-479-3207.
Meeting Number: 2632 745 5627
Meeting Password: M3MuchByJ75If you have any questions, please email the Special Education Finance Section at spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- FY 26 Payment for Public Placement Fund (PPF)
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Bookkeepers, Financial Administrators, Superintendents
Date: February 19, 2026
Based on the applications received compared to the available appropriation, the Public Placement Fund (PPF) is being paid at approximately 40.42 percent for services provided during the 2024-25 school year. Districts with approved applications will receive full payment of the prorated payment in the February school payment. The PPF payment is listed on the payment transmittal as "Pub. Placement" revenue code 5369. Districts may view the FY 26 PPF payment amounts.
Applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available in September 2026 and are due October 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Special Education Finance at 573-522-2523 or spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- FY 26 Payment for High Need Fund (HNF)
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Financial Administrators
Date: February 19, 2026
The FY 26 High Need Fund (HNF) payment for services provided during the 2024-25 school year will be received by districts in the month of February. Districts may receive both federal and state HNF revenue in their payment. Payment amounts for both state and federal funds are posted on the Special Education Finance webpage. Due to a substantial increase in HNF costs incurred by districts in the 2024-25 school year, there was nearly a $31 million shortfall in HNF funding. As a result, districts will only be receiving a prorated percentage of reimbursement at this time. Once additional funds are appropriated at a later date, districts may receive multiple HNF state payments for reimbursement of any remaining HNF costs.
State revenue will be listed under revenue code 5381 on the payment transmittal. The state revenue received may be used at the district's discretion. There are no DESE assigned project codes for coding expenditures paid with state HNF funds.
Most districts will also receive federal HNF revenue. Federal revenue will be listed under revenue code 5437 on the payment transmittal. Districts that receive a portion of the HNF payment from federal funds must code the funds to a current (2025-26) special education expenditure or complete a journal entry correction in order to tie these federal funds to an expenditure by the date the funds are received for cash management compliance. Project code 43703 and source code 4 must be used when coding special education expenditures paid with federal HNF funds. Further information on coding federal HNF funds can be found in the Special Education Expenditure Coding document and Cash Management section of the Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Guide located on this webpage.
Please contact the Special Education Finance Section if you have questions at spedfunding@dese.mo.gov
- Cochlear Implant Consultation Provided Through Missouri State University
Source: Kristin Funk, Assistant Director, Effective Practices
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists
Date: February 17, 2026
The Office of Special Education has contracted with Missouri State University (MSU), School of Special Education, Educational Leadership, and Professional Studies (SELPS), to provide free consultation services to school districts as they meet the needs of students who have cochlear implants. Free cochlear implant educational consultation services are available to any Missouri school district serving students with cochlear implants (PK-12). Service delivery is primarily through Zoom, phone conferences, and email correspondence. Services are individualized, but often include information on device functioning, speech and auditory development, educational development, and modes of communication, etc.
During the spring 2026 semester, consultation services are offered by MSU each Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There is some flexibility on days/times to work with districts and support them in meeting the needs of their students with cochlear implants. MSU embraces a unified approach to serving students with cochlear implants. When applicable, school districts are encouraged to include faculty, administrators, staff, as well as the student and parents of the student in the collaborative, consultation services.
For information about the services, contact Dr. Karen Engler at KarenEngler@Missouristate.edu or 417-836-6674.
- Assistive Technology Reimbursement Program Still Accepting Applications for 2025-26 School Year
Source: David Baker, Director, Missouri Assistive Technology
Intended Audience: Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Visually Impaired Instructors, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Process Coordinators, and General Educators
Date: February 9, 2026
The Assistive Technology Reimbursement (ATR) Program is still accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year.
The purpose of the ATR Program is to assist Missouri’s public, charter, and State Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) in covering the cost of purchasing assistive technology (AT) devices for students.
The ATR Program is open to any qualified K-12 student. Qualified students are only eligible for one application per school year. To qualify, students must:
- Be enrolled in grades K-12 and attending public school, public charter school, or MSSD
- Have an individualized education program (IEP)
- Have “Assistive Technology Required” marked as “Yes” on the Special Considerations page of their IEP
- Have undergone an AT evaluation or have trialed the requested device or a similar device
The cost of the device(s) or system should be between $350 and $6,000. If the cost is greater than $6,000, you may still apply, but the district will be responsible for covering the remaining amount beyond $6,000. Examples of reimbursable AT includes, but is not limited to, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, text-to-speech software, tablets and laptops with assistive apps/programs, and accessories such as a case or screen protector, electronic magnifiers, braille embossers, assistive listening systems, etc.
MoAT staff will review applications as quickly as possible and follow up with districts regarding the status of their submissions.
- Part B State Plan Changes
Source: Mark Wheatley, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Special Education
Intended Audience: System Stakeholders in Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Date: February 4, 2026
The Office of Special Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is proposing changes to the state plan/regulations implementing Part B of IDEA. The proposed changes are available for inspection until April 4, 2026, in the Office of Special Education at 205 Jefferson Street, 11th floor Jefferson Building, Jefferson City, Missouri during regular office hours and are also available on the State Plan for Special Education webpage, click on Description of State Plan Changes.
Written public comments on the proposed changes are being solicited beginning February 4, 2026, and should be directed as follows no later than the close of business on March 6, 2026, to:
Special Education Compliance
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
P. O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
Fax: 573-751-3910
Email: Idea.Comments@dese.mo.gov
Public hearings will be held by webinar:
February 11, 2026
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 160 729 6293
February 25, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Meeting ID: 160 837 1817
During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to hear about the proposed changes to the Part B regulations. Individuals who require special accommodations to participate in the public hearing must contact the Office of Special Education at least 72 hours prior to the webinar at 573-751-5739.
- Summer Educational Opportunities for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (Summer Explorations)
Source: Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis
Intended Audience: Special Education Teachers and Administrators, Students in Grades 3–12
Date: February 4, 2026
Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) is pleased to offer Missouri students who are blind or visually impaired four summer sessions focused on developing students' abilities to access Core Curriculum and the Expanded Core Curriculum for the Blind and Visually Impaired. MSB seeks to provide nontraditional, high-quality, academic, and functional programs designed to supplement the student’s regular educational experience with an emphasis on the Expanded Core Curriculum for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Session 1: Summer Explorations 2026 - Set Your Sights on Adventure - Grades 8-12 (June 22 – July 2) is a nine-day opportunity for students to explore concepts in leisure recreation and community-based orientation and mobility. MSB staff will design each activity and lesson to teach students to optimize their orientation and mobility and compensatory skills to access community-based leisure recreation opportunities and increase their independence within the expanded core curriculum. Space is limited.
Session 2: Summer STEAM Explorations 2026 - Engineering and Design - Grades 3-8 (July 6 – July 17) is an exciting and interactive opportunity for students to develop skills in teamwork and scientific inquiry while exploring aspects of engineering, art, and design using cardboard, Legos, and 3D printing. Students will use their imaginations to collaborate and solve problems all while having fun.
Sessions 1 and 2: Explorations in Performing Arts 2026 - Musical Summer Theatre - Grades 3-12 (June 22 – July 17) is a 19-day immersion program designed to introduce students to a wide variety of musical and theatrical skills and concepts through a hands-on learning model. Student participants will explore singing, character development, line delivery, and choreography. Backstage aspects will include building sets; selecting and making props; and selecting and/or creating costumes, lighting, and sound. During Musical Summer Theatre, students will learn performance skills by experiencing and participating in a variety of lessons and activities. Additionally, students will attend a live music or theatre performance. The culminating experience will be held in our own Samuel Green Auditorium with a reception to follow.
Sessions 1 and 2: Summer Explorations 2026 - Work Training and Experience Program (ages 16-21 years) (June 22 – July 17) MSB, in conjunction with a community partner(s), is pleased to collaborate this summer to provide Missouri students with the opportunity to work for part of the day. Students will also learn job-related soft skills including communication, time management, problem-solving, and following instructions. A student will not be eligible to participate in the Work Training and Experience Program if they have worked at the location before. Students must have an RSB counselor to be eligible to work and have a valid picture ID and social security card available for employment verification. Space is limited.
Visit MSB’s website for more information, including a schedule of events and the registration form. Summer applications are due May 1, 2026. Parents and school districts may also contact Desirée Morris, Assistant Superintendent, at 314-776-4320 or Desiree.Morris@msb.dese.mo.gov.
* Sessions are provided free of charge for qualifying students.
* Transportation and supervised residential housing are provided for students outside the St. Louis metro area during the week. All students are released at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays and will return home during the weekend.
- District Continuous Improvement (DCI) Summit 2026
Source: Office of Special Education
Intended Audience: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Directors, General and Special Education Teachers, Counselors, School Psychologists, Process Coordinators, and Instructional Specialists
Date: February 2, 2026
Save the Date and Submit Your Proposal for the 2026 DCI Summit. The Summit will be held May 27-28, 2026, at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, MO. The theme this year is Weaving the Strands of Possibility: Every Student, Every System, Every Day. Please submit proposals by February 28. For more information, click here.
- 2026 Postsecondary Transition Training Institute – Facing the Future – Together – Call for Proposals
Source: Special Education Effective Practices Section
Intended Audience: Superintendents, Middle and High School Principals, Special Education Directors, General and Special Education Teachers, Counselors, School Psychologists, and Parents
Date: February 2, 2026
NOW is the time to submit your proposal for the 2026 Postsecondary Transition Training Institute. The institute will be held on June 23-25, 2026, in Columbia at the Wyndham Executive Center. We look forward to hearing about how your evidence-based practices, postsecondary transition successes, youth and family support, and positive community relationships are making a positive impact on student learning in your district. We know that Missouri educators are doing great things, and we want you to share your stories!
When you are ready to begin, we invite you to review the following suggestions:
- Pull together a collaborative team.
- Read the Presentation Scoring Guide and the Call for Proposal worksheet.
- Draft your proposal on the fillable worksheet.
- When you have all of the information, begin your online proposal; ideally, you will complete it in one sitting. We encourage you to copy and paste from the worksheet to the online call for proposal.
- Be sure to submit the proposal by February 27, 2026.
We look forward to your proposals and developing a fabulous conference in June 2026!
- Graduate and Dropout Follow-up Data Collection
Source: Tori Chance, Coordinator, Special Education Data
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors/Administrators
Date: January 16, 2026
Local education agencies (LEAs) must submit follow-up data for students with disabilities who dropped out from grades 9-12 as well as graduated during 2024-25. Follow-up on dropouts is only required if the student had an individualized education program (IEP) at the time of dropping out. The follow-up data is reported using the MOSIS Graduate Follow-up and is due February 15, 2026.
Follow-up data are required for the State Performance Plan Indicator 14 and are included in the public reporting of data at the LEA level as required by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Click here for further information on follow-up requirements for special education.
The Special Education Data Coordination Section is hosting a February Data Cycle: Graduation and Dropout Follow-up question-and-answer session on January 22 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. There will be a short overview of the reporting requirements and then a question-and-answer forum.
If you have questions regarding the special education aspects of this collection, please contact the Special Education Data Coordination Section at 573-751-7848 or speddata@dese.mo.gov.
- FY 26 Time and Effort Documentation
Source: Special Education Finance Section
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Financial Administrators, Superintendents
Date: January 9, 2026
REMINDER: Districts should ensure time and effort documentation for staff paid with federal funds during the first funding period (July 1, 2025-December 31, 2025) of the 2025-26 school year has been completed. The documentation should be maintained by the district and does not have to be submitted to DESE.
All employees, including teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, administrators, and other staff whose salary and/or benefits are paid with any portion of federal funds, must document the time and effort spent within the program through time distribution records. The documentation must be completed after the fact to certify/verify that the employee's work was performed during that funding period. This rule applies to all special education federal funds including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B federal funds, early childhood special education (ECSE) 611 federal funds, ECSE 619 federal funds, and High Need Fund (HNF) federal funds.
Time and effort documentation must be recorded using one of the following methods:
* Semi-Annual Certification forms
* Semi-Annual Certification (Alternative) forms
* Time and Effort Logs/Personnel Activity Reports (PARs)
* Substitute System Employee Certification forms
Additional information regarding the requirements for completing time and effort documentation can be found in the Time and Effort section of the Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Guide found at Fiscal Monitoring Guide. Time and effort forms can be found at General Federal Guidance. A time and effort flowchart to assist districts in determining which form, if any, must be completed, can be found at Time and Effort Flowchart. Contact the Special Education Finance section with specific time and effort questions at 573-751-0622 or spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- Children’s Vision Summit 2026–REGISTRATION FORM
Source: Gwen Deimeke, IDEA Coordinator, OSE
Intended Audience: Classroom Teachers, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Students with Blindness and Low Vision and their Families, Orientation & Mobility Specialists, and others interested in the education of children who are blind or visually impaired
Date: December 30, 2025
The 2026 Children’s Vision Summit, sponsored by the Task Force on Blind Student Academic and Vocational Performance (abbreviated as Blind Task Force (BTF)), will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Missouri School for the Blind, 3815 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. The theme of this year’s summit is “Jumping Ahead: Triumphant Transitions for Youth of All Ages.” This summit will provide informational sessions covering a wide range of topics and hands-on opportunities that will help to identify resources and equipment currently available to meet students’ needs and assist parents and teachers in their goal to encourage their children to live independently and achieve academic and vocational success. This summit is free, but registration is required. Additional information related to hotel reservations, registration deadline, and contact information will be available soon.
For additional information, please contact Samantha Rohr, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind at Samantha.Rohr@dss.mo.gov.
- Special Education Related Services Personnel – Staff Assignment Report
Source: Tori Chance, Special Education Data
Intended Audience: Special Education Administrators, Core Data/MOSIS personnel
Date: December 12, 2025
The Special Education Data team is actively working on processing licenses for special education related services personnel (physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, audiologists, social workers, psychologists, and behavior analysts) to ensure all staff with the correct license show as appropriately certified. Due to a system issue, we are currently not able to upload the information to clear these staff members of the “not appropriately certified” status. We recommend districts continue to send licenses to us so your licensed staff members can be cleared as soon as we can.
If you have sent us information to clear your licensed staff, we have it on file to be uploaded when our system is back up.
Questions can be directed to the Office of Special Education Data Coordination at speddata@dese.mo.gov.
- Braille Challenge 2026 Registration Now Open
Source: Outreach at Missouri School for the Blind (MSB)/Missouri DeafBlind Project
Intended Audience: Local Education Agencies (LEAs) serving students with visual impairments who are learning braille
Date: December 10, 2025
We are happy to announce that the Braille Challenge 2026 Registration is open! Contestants, volunteers, and chaperones can now register to participate in this exciting celebration of braille literacy!
We plan to host our 2026 St. Louis Regional Braille Challenge on February 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. on the MSB campus at 3815 Magnolia Avenue in St. Louis.
If you are unfamiliar with the Braille Challenge, it is a national braille contest created and sponsored by the Braille Institute of America. Designed to support and enrich the reading and writing of braille, the Braille Challenge is an exciting competition for all students! Here at MSB, we host a preliminary challenge for students in our region who read and write in braille.
We invite students of all braille reading/writing levels to join us!
- To register as a contestant, fill out these forms:
- To register as a volunteer for the event, fill out this form: Volunteer Registration
- To register to chaperone a contestant, fill out this form: Chaperone Registration
We are always in need of volunteers who know UEB code to help us score tests! Please consider volunteering!
Please coordinate registration with your student’s family, as this event is in-person and requires parent/guardian permission.
We look forward to meeting you soon! If you have any questions, please contact dena.molen@msb.dese.mo.gov.