Bureau of Indian EducationDivision of Performance

and AccountabilityFISCAL MANAGEMENT

Special Education FundsSY 2013-14 High Risk Schools

Webinar - October 20, 2014

To provide information on BIE,DPA Special Education Fiscal Management

To provide the 2013-14 Desk Audit findings To initiate technical assistance to the

schools To provide a time for schools to request

clarification, ask questions and provide input to delivery of technical assistance and training

The purpose of the training is:

Challenges unique to SY 2013-14 FBMS created delays in allocating funds to the

schools National formats no longer a way of disseminating

training and information; increased use of webinars, emails, conference and phone calls

Due dates were adjusted to accommodate changes Native Star was used for the first time to submit

documents Web Budget was used for the first time DPA Special Education staff decreased from 11 to 6

ProceduresThe Fiscal Monitoring Procedures for Special Education ensures a school’s compliance to certain fiscal and administrative requirements for special education funds, 15% ISEP Instructional Funds and IDEA Part B Supplemental Funds.

Fiscal Monitoring for Special Education

The procedure is established to ensure: Program and fiscal policies and procedures are

developed and implemented to meet certain fiscal and administrative requirements;

Appropriate use of special education funds for the intended purpose, Free and Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment;

Problems are identified and remediated; and Oversight is provided that would result in

improved student outcomes.

Each school submits all fiscal documents in the Native Star link on the BIE website with the exception of the Unmet Needs Request. Each document, with a timeline, is used for the fiscal desk audit completed on each school in June.

Process

The BIE reviews and rates the following fiscal documents: LEA School Part B Application and if

applicable, the Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Plan;

BIE Web Budget, BIE Operated Schools only; or Consolidated School-Wide Budget, Tribally Controlled Schools (TCS) only;

Fiscal Accountability Self-Assessment (FASA)

A. Desk Audit

The IDEA Fiscal Risk Level Scoring Sheet is used to communicate to the schools the risk level for each school Low Risk: minimal concerns identified for meeting

fiscal and administrative requirements Medium Risk: concerns identified for meeting

fiscal and administrative requirements High Risk: numerous concerns identified for

meeting fiscal and administrative requirements

Written notification of risk level is issued to the school

Targeted technical assistance is provided to medium and high risk level schools

An on-site visit provides an intensive level of fiscal review, and is the result of continuing violations of federal and IDEA fiscal requirements

B. On-Site Fiscal Review

Criteria – if a school meets 2 of the following, the school is identified for an on-site fiscal review: High risk level for two consecutive years; Administration Financial Reviews (BIE Operated Schools); Recommendation for an on-site fiscal review from the

Integrated Accountability and Support (IA&S) monitoring report;

Indian Student Equalization Program (ISEP) Special Education Certification submitted by the Education Line Office (ELO) that identifies findings of noncompliance; and/or

Annual Report (TCS)

Written notification of an on-site fiscal review is sent by January 31

On-Site Fiscal Review Activities: Entrance meeting Demographic data and budget FASA and Fiscal Rating Verification of expenditures Evaluation of fiscal review process Exit meeting

Analysis of data collected during the on-site fiscal review

Written report (also referred to as the written notification) issued to the school within 90 days of an on-site visit to inform of the intensive review results and if applicable, findings of noncompliance and corrective action.

BIE identifies and corrects finding(s) of noncompliance as follows:A. Schedule conference call with school(s)

within 15-days of written report:◦ Review findings of noncompliance◦ Provide clarification/guidance◦ Review correction process

Fiscal Findings of Noncompliance and Correction

B. Conduct quarterly progress checkpointsC. Ensure timely correction on noncompliance

School corrects within required timeline BIE verifies correction of noncompliance BIE issues close-out letter within 30-days of verification

School does not timely correct; placed in continuing status of noncompliance BIE issues written notification BIE applies enforcement BIE verified correction BIE issues close-out letter within 30-days of verification

The data from the desk audit and on-site fiscal review activities are analyzed and summarized to examine patterns and trends. The BIE offers training and targeted technical assistance to ensure fiscal resources are directed to areas needing improvement.

Data Analysis

An evaluation is performed to assist the BIE in improving the fiscal monitoring procedures, activities include: School completes post-fiscal review

evaluation form BIE assembles representatives from the BIE

Administration, BIE Advisory Board for Exceptional Children, ELO staff and schools to evaluate the fiscal monitoring process.

Evaluation

School Part B Application: 4 Points Timely submission (1) Complete application (1) Signature after School Board Approval (2)

BIE Web Budget/Consolidated S W Budget◦ K-8 Schools (19)◦ K-12 Schools (23)

FASA (45) CEIS (9)

Desk Audit Process

RegionsNumber of Low RiskSchools

Number ofMedium

Risk Schools

Number ofHigh Risk Schools

TotalNumber of

Schools

East 1 25 29 55

Navajo 1 20 40 61

West 2 16 42 60

Total 4 61 111 176

SY2013-14 Fiscal Risk Desk Audit School Results

Timely submission of the budget with appropriate signatures?

Were there adequate allocations and justification provided to support the allocation? FTEs for personnel (special education teachers,

education technicians, related service providers, special education coordinators, secondary transition specialists) per the ratio of students with disabilities (SWD) and their service needs

Supplies, materials, equipment and assistive technology

Budget Reviews

◦ Professional Development for total school staff, for special education staff, and/or provided based on needs of individual SWD

Transportation as a related service for SWD Parent Training Child Find Activities Least Restrictive Environment placements in

settings away from the school (incarceration, intensive specialized instruction or therapy, illness of student)

Most schools demonstrated appropriate use of Special Education funds in the following areas: Transportation Personnel

Related Services Education Technicians Special Education Teachers

Majority of schools provided Budgets and used the BIE format

Few entries of “Inappropriate and Non Allowable Costs”

Budget AnalysisFindings

Questionable Costs (based on 164 schools submitting budgets, not all used the BIE format)

Budget Item # of Schools/Percent

Parent Training 116/70%

Assistive Technology 98/59%

Child Find 98/59%

Equipment (92/56%)Materials (76/45%)Supplies (69/42%)

48% (Average)

Staff Training 76/46%

Secondary Transition Specialist

26 (60 HS)/43%

Work Study Programs 20 (60 HS)/33%

School received the score because:

No information/description was not entered (90%) WebEx on October 28, 2014

The upload documents were not available in Native Star for review (87%)

Travel and training to achieve the goals & objectives were not reasonable and necessary.

FASAAnalysis Findings

Use of indirect cost Separation of duties Special education coordinator/lead teacher not

involved in the verification of purchase of supplies, and contracts.

Justification of unusual items

Regions Low Risk Medium Risk

High Risk Total

East 18 5 4 27

Navajo 6 1 10 17

West 5 8 9 22

TOTAL 24 14 23 61

CEISAnalysis Findings

Schools will be issued findings of noncompliance if there are violations of IDEA requirements.

Schools received a score of 0 because: a CEIS Plan was not submitted or was not

submitted by the due date; Schools exceeded the threshold of 15%. Schools

may use the option to use up to 15% of their Part B allocation for the given year if they are meeting the IDEA requirements; however, the Part B amount for CEIS cannot exceed the 15% threshold.

The CEIS rating was based on the following: The Part B allocation was below the 15% Part B

threshold The “Responsible Person” for CEIS at the school

was identified The “targeted audience” was identified The School’s CEIS program was described The number of student participants was provided The entrance and exit tools and criteria were

provided

Parent Training – examples of topics Procedural Safeguards (Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act) Overview of Special Education procedures &

processes Parenting a child with a disability Overview of the Individualized Education Program

(IEP) Developing your child’s IEP Supplementary aids & services; accommodations

& modifications; Assistive Technology Nurturing Self-determination

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Assistance is available for parents 100 Parent Centers across the nation at least one is

located in each state Sometimes they are referred to as Parent Training and

Information Centers (PTIs) and/or Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs)

They help parents to participate effectively in the education of their children at school and at home, thereby improving outcomes for children with disabilities

Native American Parent Technical Assistance Center (NAPTAC): Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS) Judy Wiley, Lead Training Specialist

judy@epicsnm.org (541) 210-4062

Assistive Technology Assistive technology devices or services, or both, are

made available to a child with a disability if required as part of the child’s special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services.

The child’s IEP team determines if an assistive technology service and/or devise is necessary for the child to benefit from his or her education program

There are a broad range of assistive devices: Low-tech examples: pencil grips, highlighters, paper stabilizers,

magnifiers, books on tape High-tech examples: computers, computer based assistive

technology, voice synthesizers, Braille readers

IEP Goal Example Present Level of Education Performance Trisha demonstrates knowledge of basic computer functions using a standard keyboard and word processor. She dictates sentences and uses a scribe for transcription. She uses a spell checker to write short sentences. Typically she makes five spelling, four punctuation, and three grammar errors per page of familiar material.

Measurable Annual Goal Trisha will compose paragraphs and classroom assignments using a word processor for correction of spelling, punctuation and grammar Short-Term Objectives or Benchmarks

Using a word processor, Trisha will compose a complete paragraph consisting of four sentences, with fewer than a total of three spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors on a final report completed in the resource room on a topic identified the previous day

Using a word processor, Trisha will correct spelling on selected classroom assignments at 90% accuracy for five or more consecutive assignments

Accommodations/Modifications ExampleSkill Area: Written ExpressionAccommodations:

Method Material TechnologyAccept outlines or notes to reduce written workCreate sentences aloudDo not grade for spellingExtra time for completionProcess reminders on chalkboard or desk Provide writing sample shorten assignments Study carrel for solo work

Pocket dictionaryPocket thesaurusProcess reminders on chalk board or desk

Electronic dictionaryElectronic thesaurusSpell checkUse computer or word process for writingUse tape recorder to do assignments verballyWord Prediction software

Some AT Resources, there are many National Center for Learning Disabilities http:/ncld.ort/students-disabilities/assistive- technology-education Parent Training and Information Centers Alliance for Technology Access Resource Centers http://www.ataccess.org State Tech Act Projects Education World www.educationworld.com

Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act that requires States and Local Education Agencies to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing in the State, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services.

is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities who are in need of Early Childhood Intervention Programs or Special Education and Related Services

Examples of Child Find activities: The school publishes a child find notice in the

local newspaper or the school’s newsletter school participates in conjunction with community

agencies such as Headstart, preschool services, and other area preschools; Child find notices are sent to all area clinics, doctors, preschools and daycare centers in conjunction with preschool screening activities

All children entering kindergarten are screened to identify children with suspected disabilities

The files of all children transferring to the school are screened to identify children who may have been receiving special services in their prior school

Parents of older children who enter the school for the first time are given a document, which explains the school’s special services and who to contact if they suspect their child may have a disability

For children attending the school ages 5 to 21, the primary child find process is parent and teacher referrals. In-service activities to assist teachers in making appropriate referrals are provided annually

The school student services team reviews the files of all students with a health plan to screen for suspected disabilities

Student Assistance Team (other names may be used) ensure appropriate interventions have been utilized to help the student overcome their learning problems before beginning a referral for special education services

Child find is integrated with ESEA: Under ESEA, each LEA (school) must have an improvement plan developed to guide school and staff in the improvement of student performance for all student groups in order to attain state standards. The school improvement plan must include strategies for improvement of student performance such as: instructional methods designed based on the needs of student groups not achieving; processes for addressing the needs of children in special programs; integration of technology in instructional and administrative program; positive behavior supports; staff development for educators; and accelerated instruction

Conduct school data grass roots analysis to determine improvement needs in the following areas: Equipment, supplies, materials Staff Training

Include training on School Records and Confidentiality; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Secondary Transition Training to be provided to all BIE High Schools (refer

to the DPA Special Education Unit Calendar of Activities and Due Dates for SY 2014-15 – posted to the BIE Website)

When we receive input from schools on training and technical assistance needs, DPA will review and identify subsequent activities in this area.

Please send your input to rachael.nicholas-mark@bie.edu

Thanks!

Next Steps

Gloria Yepa (505) 563-5264gloria.yepa@bie.edu

Laura N. Tsosie (505) 563-5275laura.tsosie@bie.edu

Connie Albert (505) 563-5180connie.albert@bie.edu

Contact Information