2022 Forms Clearance – Additional Information Regarding Umbrella Programs under Part D, IDEA

2022 Forms Clearance – Additional Information Regarding Umbrella Programs under Part D, IDEA

Under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) discretionary grants are authorized to support technology, State personnel development, personnel preparation, parent training and information, and technical assistance activities. Under this Part D umbrella collection, the following description is offered regarding the five programs:

State Personnel Development Grant

The State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) program, established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Amendments of 2004, took effect on July 1, 2005. The program provides grants to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational, and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities. Competitive awards would be made for periods of one to five years.

Technical Assistance and Dissemination

The Technical Assistance and Dissemination program is the primary vehicle under the IDEA for putting information into the hands of individuals and organizations serving children with disabilities and their families. The program makes awards to provide technical assistance, support model demonstration projects, disseminate useful information, and implement activities that are supported by scientifically based research. These awards are intended to improve services provided under the IDEA, including the practices of professionals and others involved in providing services that promote academic achievement and improve results for children with disabilities. Most awards are made for periods of five years. Eligible applicants are SEAs, local educational agencies (LEAs), public charter schools that are LEAs under State law, institutions of higher education (IHEs), other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, outlying areas, freely associated States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations.

Personnel Preparation

Although States are primarily responsible for training, hiring, and certifying personnel to serve children with disabilities, the Personnel Preparation program assists States in meeting these responsibilities. The program supports competitive awards to--

• Help address State-identified needs for personnel in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education to work with children with disabilities;

• Ensure that those personnel are highly qualified, have the skills and knowledge that are needed to serve children with disabilities, and that such skills and knowledge are derived from practices determined to be successful through research and experience; and

• Ensure that regular education teachers have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide instruction to students with disabilities in the regular education classroom.

A large majority of the grants awarded through this program (approximately 96 percent) go to IHEs. Awards are made throughout the fiscal year. Duration of awards varies from three to five years, depending on the type of project.

Parent Information Centers

The Parent Information Centers program is one of the primary vehicles under IDEA for providing information and training to parents of children with disabilities. The program supports awards to ensure that--

• Children with disabilities and their parents receive training and information designed to assist the children in meeting developmental and functional goals and challenging academic achievement goals, and in being prepared to lead productive independent adult lives;

• Children with disabilities and their parents receive training and information on their rights, responsibilities, and protections under IDEA, in order to develop the skills necessary to cooperatively and effectively participate in planning and decision making relating to early intervention, educational, and transitional services; and

• Parents receive coordinated and accessible technical assistance and information to assist them in improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for their children and families.

The IDEA authorizes three types of projects: parent training and information centers, community parent resource centers, and technical assistance for parent centers. Awards for all three projects are made typically for a period of five years. Eligible applicants are parent organizations, as defined in section 671(a)(2) of IDEA.

Educational Technology, Media, and Materials

The Educational Technology, Media, and Materials program is the primary source of support for technology, media service and materials-related activities under IDEA. Technology activities promote the development, demonstration, and use of technology. They include activities such as research on using technology to improve learning and provide access to the classroom, and technical assistance and dissemination activities to enhance the use of technology by parents and teachers. Media Services activities focus on providing access to various media for individuals with disabilities. This program also supports activities that provide accessible educational materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner. The duration of awards typically varies from three to five years. Eligible Applicants are SEAs; LEAs; public charter schools that are LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.

This grant application provides the forms and information necessary for applicants to submit an application for funding under any of the five program areas, and information for use by technical reviewers to determine the quality of the application.