Listserv News and Updates
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
- 2024-25 IDEA Part B Allocations Posted
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Superintendents, Financial Administrators
Date: May 14, 2024
The 2024-25 (FY 2025) preliminary IDEA Part B Section 611 and Section 619 allocations are posted at https://dese.mo.gov/financial-admin-services/special-education-finance/part-b-funding-and-allocations. Under the 2024-25 allocation section of the webpage, LEAs may view the following information:
1. Part B 611 and ECSE 611 Allocations. This spreadsheet shows the amount of federal IDEA Part B Section 611 funds identified as "Part B 611" and "ECSE 611." Part B 611 is the portion of funds broken out for special education and related services for students with disabilities in grades K-12. ECSE 611 is the portion of funds broken out for special education and related services for students with disabilities ages 3-5 served in the early childhood special education program. However, LEAs can spend any IDEA Part B Section 611 funds on special education and related services for students with disabilities ages 3-21.
2. ECSE 619 Allocations. This spreadsheet shows the amount of federal IDEA Part B Section 619 funds identified as "ECSE 619" that LEAs may spend on special education and related services for students with disabilities ages 3-5. Charter LEAs that do not operate a kindergarten classroom will not have an ECSE 619 allocation.
3. Proportionate Share Estimated Amounts. This spreadsheet shows the estimated amount of IDEA Part B Section 611 funds that LEAs must set aside and budget for special education and related services for parentally placed private and home school students with disabilities in grades K-12. This amount may change once the 2023-24 Part B Final Expenditure Report (FER) is approved. If the amount changes, LEAs must complete a budget revision to set aside the entire amount. Information about the proportionate share requirement can be viewed at https://dese.mo.gov/financial-admin-services/special-education-finance/part-b-proportionate-share.
4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Adjustments. This spreadsheet shows whether or not the LEA has the opportunity to take an MOE adjustment in 2024-25. If the LEA is able to take an MOE adjustment, the LEA must indicate the intent to do so on the 2024-25 Budget Application. Information about taking an MOE adjustment can be viewed at https://dese.mo.gov/financial-admin-services/special-education-finance/special-education-maintenance-fiscal-effort.
The 2024-25 (FY 2025) IDEA Part B Section 611 and Section 619 grant award information must be included in the LEA's accounting records. More information regarding the identification of the federal award can be found at https://dese.mo.gov/financial-admin-services/general-federal-guidance.
Existing charter schools with significant expansion in 2024-25 may have their FY 2025 Part B IDEA Section 611 and Section 619 allocations recalculated in January 2025. LEAs that had students leave to attend a new or expanding charter school in 2024-25 may have a decrease in their FY 2025 Part B IDEA Section 611 and Section 619 allocations.
A separate SELS message will be sent to announce the opening of the 2024-25 Part B Budget Application in ePeGS. The 2024-25 Part B Budget Applications will be due no later than July 1, 2024. LEAs may not begin obligating FY 2025 IDEA funds until after the substantially approved date of the budget application.
Please contact the Special Education Finance Section with any questions at 573-751-0622 or spedfunding@dese.mo.gov or you may contact your Special Education Finance technical assistant listed in ePeGS.
- Special Education Finance Monthly Webinar – May 7
Source: Special Education Finance
Intended Audience: Special Education Directors, Financial Administrators, ECSE Directors
Date: May 6, 2024
The Special Education Finance Section will be hosting the next monthly webinar on Tuesday, May 7 at 9:00 a.m. This webinar will help LEAs plan for the end of the fiscal year and prepare for the new fiscal year. Topics will include coding High Need Fund federal payments, maintenance of effort, and allowable use of funds. This webinar will be recorded and available on the Special Education Finance Training webpage https://dese.mo.gov/financial-admin-services/special-education-finance/special-education-finance-training-monthly-webinars.
To attend the monthly fiscal webinar, go to https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=m419a7b265456954feea2533bcf3c4607 or join by phone by dialing 1-650-479-3207.
Meeting number (access code): 2631 527 5014
Meeting password: aCkY8MMPq38
If you have any questions, please email the Special Education Finance Section at spedfunding@dese.mo.gov.
- 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: May 3, 2024
Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) is pleased to offer Missouri students who are blind or visually impaired (VI) four summer sessions focused on developing students' abilities to access Leisure Recreation and Community-Based Orientation and Mobility, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Fine Arts, and Work Training and Experience. Through Summer Explorations, MSB seeks to provide non-traditional, 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 2024 - Set Your Sights on Adventure - Grades 8-12 (July 8-19) is a two-week opportunity for students to explore concepts in leisure recreation and community-based orientation and mobility. During the first week of their adventure, students will visit a variety of St. Louis area sites where they will review and develop their orientation and mobility and compensatory (VI) skills while exploring community-based leisure recreation activities. Space is limited.
Session 2: Summer Explorations 2024 - Explorations in STEAM - Cardboard Engineering - Grades 8-12 (July 22-August 1) is an exciting, interactive opportunity for students to work alongside our experienced STEAM staff to develop skills in teamwork and scientific inquiry, which will allow them to increase their independence while participating in hands-on activities and exploring engineering and art principals. During Explorations in STEAM: Cardboard Engineering, students will exercise their design smarts, expand their thinking, and learn the basics of physics and engineering with activities that have real-life applications. Students will use their imaginations to collaborate and solve problems all while having fun.
Sessions 1 and 2: Explorations in Performing Arts - Musical Summer Theatre - Grades 3-10 (July 8-August 1) is a 20-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, selecting and/or creating costumes, lighting, and sound. Students will create and perform professional and student-created works as well as improvisational scenes. 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 2024 - Work Training and Experience Program (July 8-August 1) (ages 16-21 years) MSB, in conjunction with community partner(s), is pleased to collaborate this summer to provide Missouri students with the opportunity to get paid while going to summer school. A student will not be eligible to participate in the Work Training and Experience Program if they have worked at the location before. Space is limited.
Visit https://msb.dese.mo.gov/ for more information including a schedule of events and the registration form. Summer applications are due May 15, 2024. Parents and school districts may also contact Desiree Morris, School Supervisor, 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.