Special Education

Understanding the Special Education Department within BIE

The Special Education Program is housed in the BIE Division of Performance and Accountability. The Special Education Program plays a role in helping Education Resource Centers and Schools achieve Results-Driven Accountability for special education programs in Bureau-operated, Tribally Controlled, and Navajo schools throughout the country. The BIE is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Special Education Staff

Supervisory Education Specialists: Provides team leadership and technical assistance to Education Program Specialists located in various Education Resource Centers, ensuring that functions required to fulfill the Department of Performance and Accountability (DPA) mission in accordance with federal requirements are met.

Education Program Specialists: They serve as the primary point of contact for Education Resource Centers and improve outcomes for students with disabilities by effectively implementing federal and state laws, regulations, and rules related to special education. They also provide technical assistance on IDEA.

Monthly Newsletter

Due Dates for School Reporting

Due Dates of Required School Reporting 2024-2025 (237.02 KB)

Our Partners

BIE special education partners have long-standing positive relationships with OSEP-funded technical assistance providers.

State Performance Plan

The BIE has developed a state performance plan/annual performance report that evaluates its efforts to implement the IDEA's requirements and purposes and describes how it will improve its implementation. The SPP/APR includes indicators that measure child and family outcomes and other indicators that measure compliance with the IDEA requirements. BIE must submit a state performance plan at least every six years. Each year, BIE reports against the targets in its SPP in an annual performance report.

The Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) uses information from the SPP/APR to annually determine if BIE:

(1) Meets requirements and purposes of the IDEA

(2) Needs assistance in implementing the requirements of Part B

(3) Needs intervention in implementing the requirements of Part B

(4) Needs substantial intervention in implementing the requirements of Part B

State Systemic Improvement Plan

The State Systemic Improvement Plan is a multi-year plan developed in collaboration with stakeholders to increase the number of youth with disabilities who are engaged (e.g., enrolled in higher education, competitively employed) one year out of high school.

Policies, Procedures, and Effective Implementation

States, including the BIE, are required to have policies and procedures that are aligned with the IDEA 345 CFR 300.100. BIE's special education policies and procedures support state and local implementation the IDEA.

Dear School Leader Letter, Missed IEP Services, September 2023

Integrated Monitoring Activities

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the BIE must employ general supervision activities that include monitoring of local educational agencies (LEAs) with a particular emphasis on improving educational results and functional outcomes for all students with disabilities while ensuring that LEAs meet the requirements of the IDEA Part B. The BIE implements procedures for monitoring activities in accordance with the IDEA Part B, federal regulation 34 CFR 300.600 State monitoring and enforcement.

Fiscal Management

IDEA funds are provided for the excess cost of special education and related services for students with disabilities. IDEA funds are intended to supplement and not supplant state, local or other federal funds. Funds are awarded to the BIE by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to "flow-through" to the LEA contingent upon a LEA application for Part B funds. The BIE must ensure fiscal accountability at each phase in distributing and using the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funds.

BIE IDEA Part B Grant Award Application

Data on Processes and Results

As part of a state's general supervision responsibilities, data are used for program management and improvement decision-making. This process includes: