Bureau of Special Education Support
The Bureau of Special Education Support is charged with providing oversight and implementation of federal and state laws that ensure a free appropriate public education for all children and youth with disabilities in New Hampshire.
Given this charge, the Mission of the Bureau of Special Education Support is to work collaboratively with students, families, LEAs and community partners to ensure students with disabilities are provided equal access and data-driven resources to promote opportunities for growth and improved functional outcomes.
The Bureau is divided into three offices that oversee the different aspects of Special Education:
Office of Finance and Data Management
The Office of Finance and Data Management supports the Federal Grants received by the bureau, State Special Education Aid, Court Ordered Placement payments, as well as the New Hampshire Special Education Information System (NHSEIS). The office is responsible for all data within the bureau and for the creation and submission of the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) to our federal partners at the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
- Data
- Fiscal/Financial, Grants and Contracts
- New Hampshire Special Education Information System (NHSEIS)
- State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report; Indicators
Office of Special Education Training and Monitoring
The Office of Special Education Training and Monitoring provides specific trainings to the field related to special education and oversees district monitoring and the District Determination process. The Office works closely with districts to ensure compliance with the Federal Reporting Indicators related to the provision of services for students with disabilities. All program approval for public schools, private academies and private providers of special education are processed through this office.
- Preschool
- Approval of Educational Environments
- Approved Private Special Education Programs
- Professional Development and Training
- LEA Determinations
- Monitoring - Program Approval and General Supervision (PAGS)
Office of Special Programs
The Office of Special Programs encompasses the various programs the Bureau supports in an effort to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. These programs include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Educational Surrogate Parents, IEP Facilitation, and Accessibility. Accessibility includes work around visual impairments, deaf and hard of hearing, and assistive technology. This Office also supports the work around the State Professional Development Grant (SPDG) and the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).
- Accessibility: American Printing House for the Blind (APH), AEM and AT
- Services: Educational Surrogate Parent Program and IEP Facilitation
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)
Federal Reporting
Other Resources
- State Advisory Committee on the Education of Students/Children with Disabilities (SAC)
- Complaints
- Special Education Fact Sheets, Q&A and Technical Assistance Documents
- Forms and Resources
- Bureau Staff - Information to contact all Bureau Staff
- Memorandums
- Laws/Rules/Policies
For questions regarding the Special Education Process please contact:
Bureau Main Line
(603) 271-3741
Janel LeBlanc
Education Consultant II, Complaints
(603) 271-3196
Janel.C.LeBlanc@doe.nh.gov