October 9, 2012 at the Truman Office Building in Jefferson City, MO. 

Registration will begin at 9am, Session and Keynote Speaker 10am-4pm. Lunch will be provided. 

The Summit is a one-day learning experience designed for students who have disabilities, special education transition personnel and student teams, family members, case managers, VR counselors, and Centers for Independent Living personnel. Summit sessions are focused on the preparation of youth for transition to post-secondary education, employment, independent living and community experiences. 

Cost: 

•  School teams of educator and student (each educator must be accompanied by at least one student) - FREE
• Family member with student - FREE
• Family member without student - $25.00 (limited to first 50 registered
• Professional only - $50.00 (limited to first 50 registered)
• Exhibitors - $75.00 (display table, lunch on your own or available for additional $10.00)
• Sponsorship: $125.00 (includes logo on t-shirt given to students, display table, and lunch)
• Organization logo on t-shirt: $75.00

Sessions presented will cover: Career soft skills development, self-determination, youth leadership, planning for college, as well as information about VR and CIL services, understanding ADA, Social Security and more...

Detailed agenda and registration information will be posted to our website soon.  

Public Hearings on Proposed Changes to Part B State Plan  

The Office of Special Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is proposing changes to the State regulations implementing Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The proposed changes are available for inspection until September 19, 2012, in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Office of Special Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 205 Jefferson Street, 4th floor, Jefferson Building, Jefferson City, MO 65102 during regular office hours and are also available on the office website at

 http://dese.mo.gov/se/stateplan/proposedstateplan2012.html.
Public hearings will be held by webinar on:

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
1:00-2:00 p.m., http://dese.mo.gov/webinar/Webinar-08-21-12SE.htm

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
10:00-11:00 a.m.,  http://dese.mo.gov/webinar/Webinar08-29-12SE2.htm

To participate in a webinar, type in or click on the corresponding link above on a computer with internet access and follow the directions.  During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to type in and submit your comments to Department staff.  The webinars will remain open to receive public comment for a minimum of one hour or until all comments have been received.

Individuals who require special accommodations to participate in the public hearing, need to contact the Office of Special Education at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at least 72 hours prior to the event at 573-751-5739.

Written public comments on the proposed changes are being solicited and should be directed as follows no later than the close of business on September 10, 2012:

Bonnie Aaron, Director, Compliance
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
P.O. Box 480 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
Fax: 573-526-5946
Email: Idea.Comments@dese.mo.gov 

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program's 2012 IDEA Leadership Conference (previously named the OSEP Leadership Conference) took place in Washington DC on July 30-August 1, 2012. The conference brought together Parent Centers, State Directors of Special Education, Section 619 and Part C Coordinators, Data Managers, TA&D Projects, and others in the field. Materials from the conference, including webcasts, PowerPoint presentations and handouts are now available on the  conference Web site. Presentations of special interest to the early childhood community were included on each day of the conference (click on a day and scan down the page) and on Tuesday, there was a whole strand of  early childhood sessions.