Measure Up Tool Is Now Populated With 2007 – 2008 Data

The Measure Up Tool now includes the latest 2007-2008 ODE data and is available for free download at http://www.ohioschoolleaders.org/.

The Measure Up presents visual displays and explanations of data included in the Local Report Card for school buildings and districts in Ohio. The latest version of Measure Up includes value-added data, achievement data, and the growth model that is another way for districts and buildings to meet AYP. Measure Up is designed to assist in delivering key messages about the performance of districts and schools. Critical questions are included throughout to guide the analysis of data.

Region 6 State Support Team Continues to Serve Parents

Please be aware that the Region 6 State Support Team continues to serve parents as a resource in the same capacity as it did as a Special Education Regional Resource Center. Administrators, supervisors and staff may refer parents to our office.

Operating Standards and Whose IDEA Is This?

The 2008 Operating Standards, titled Operating Standards for Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities, is now available on the ODE web site, keyword search “Operating Standards Disabilities.” The new version of "Whose Idea Is This?" is posted on the ODE / OEC website. Both of these documents are being burnt to CDs and one copy per building will be distributed to educational agencies in approximately two weeks. Also included on this CD will be the Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students and Gifted Operating Standards Technical Assistance Manual.

You may continue to use copies of the previous version of "Whose Idea Is This?" and do not need to throw these copies away. Once you have exhausted all of the older copies begin to use the July 2008 version. All districts must use the July 2008 version of "Whose Idea Is This?" at the commencement of the 2009-2010 school year.

Draft Guidance for Special Education Operating Standards Posted for Public Comment

The public comment period for the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE’s) draft manual titled Procedures and Guidance for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities is now open. ODE will receive comments about the Web-based document through November 7 when the Department’s Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) will hold a public hearing on this topic.

The guidance draft provides districts with support for implementing newly revised operating standards or “rules” that serve as the framework for providing services to Ohio’s children with disabilities. Effective July 1, the rules were revised in response to changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004. The intent of these requirements is to ensure that children with disabilities have equal opportunity, full participation in education, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.

To access the Procedures and Guidance for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities go to http://www.edresourcesohio.org/

To submit feedback on the manual:

• Make comments online within each section of the Procedures and Guidance Manual. (Note that OEC already has completed the public review process for all but two forms that appear in section two; instructions for commenting on recently revised forms PR-06 and PR-07 will be posted in October.) Comment forms have been placed at the top of each section. Please send your comments on each section on the comment form for that section. This is so your comments can be understood as they relate to specific sections of the Guidance Document when the comments are taken into consideration by OEC staff members. Please note that when you are ready to send your comment, your must type “GUIDE” in the box above the Send Comment box in order for the comment to be sent. This step is for spam protection purposes. You will receive a reply - Mail sent successfully.
• Submit written comments to: mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or to: Office for Exceptional Children, Attention: Shirley Crabtree, 25 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
• Attend the public hearing from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m., November 7, at the Dublin Metropolitan Library, 75 North High Street, Dublin, OH 43017.

Following the review of comments, the revised manual will be posted in January.

If you need an interpreter or other services at the public hearing, please contact Shirley Crabtree at 614-387-2250 at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.

Sign Up for a SAFE Account - register on STARS v.2 NOW

The new version of STARS, System to Achieve Results for Students (STARS v2.0), is available now. You will need a SAFE account for to register for all STARS events scheduled after Jan. 1, 2008.  It is important to register on STARS for workshops offered by the State Support Team Region 6.  STARS is the only method that allows us to track the number of participants so that we can plan for space, time, and materials.

A set of instructions is available for creating a SAFE Account. (pdf)

A detailed tutorial is available to help you register on STARS 2.0. (pdf)

Create a SAFE Account . (link to ODE)