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Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services

Call to Action

Teacher and pre-k students counting on fingers.

OUR CALL TO ACTION

Our call to action is to narrow the achievement gap in Maryland by ensuring students with disabilities receive access to the general education curriculum and specially designed instruction, aligned with evidence-based practices selected and implemented to address each student’s individual developmental, academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs within culturally responsive learning environments.

The Department of Early Intervention and Special Education Services works within the context of State and federal laws and policies that govern special education as well as within the broader educational mission of the Maryland State Department of Education to ensure the education and well-being of our children, students, and families. Maryland’s interdependent work with federal, State and local systems, and stakeholders aligns with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in support of our vision that all children are the responsibility of all educators.

This comprehensive system — one which balances the statutory requirements with equal emphasis on programmatic leadership aimed to narrow existing achievement gaps — is focused around the following components.

The Performance Support and Technical Assistance (PSTA) Branch focuses on building the capacity of local school systems, public agencies, and institutions of higher education to accelerate student learning in order to narrow the performance gap and enable all students with disabilities to leave school college, career and community ready.
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The Policy and Accountability Branch assists local lead agencies, local school systems, and public agencies in the development, revision, and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices for the provision of early intervention services and special education and related services, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
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The Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch (FSDR) fosters family engagement and positive family/system partnerships through the provision of technical assistance and support to a statewide network of family support specialists serving families of children with disabilities.
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The Interagency Collaboration Branch coordinates multiple statewide service initiatives for children and students, age birth through 21, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, Department of Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, and Department of Juvenile Services.
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The Resource Management and Monitoring Branch ensures effective procurement, use, and oversight of Division resources.
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