Indiana's system for coordinating special education support is about to change for the better, according to State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper).
This week, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the creation of six resource centers which will assist schools in providing comprehensive special education support and assistance. The centers will be called the Indiana Resource Network (IRN).
Now, several million dollars in annual special education funding will go directly to third party expert groups working in special education throughout Indiana. The goal of the change is to streamline the way special education grants are distributed. This will "make the pathways between resources and students more direct and efficient," according to Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett.
According to the IDOE, they will refer schools to one or more IRN Centers to improve the quality of special education services. IRN Centers will provide many forms of assistance, including professional development, capacity building and policy examination.
"Obviously, at this point we need to be looking for every opportunity to maximize education funding," said Rep. Messmer. "This is one more way to make sure grant funding is getting to the classroom with as much speed and accountability as possible."
According to the IDOE website, the following are the Indiana Resource Network locations and their matched grant recipients:
Autism
Indiana University, Riley Hospital for Children Christian Sarkine Autism
Treatment Center
Effective Assessment and Instruction
Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Effective Evaluations
Indiana State University, Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in
Special Education
Effective and Compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Indiana State University, Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in
Special Education
Positive Behavior Support
Indiana University, Center for Evaluation & Education Policy (CEEP) and
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Transition to Adulthood
Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
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