Continuous Improvement and Monitoring Program (CIMP) for IDEA

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 63
POLICY CODE: BG/CH

TO: Superintendents of Schools and Special Education Directors
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: February 12, 2009
RE: Continuous Improvement and Monitoring Program (CIMP) for IDEA

SAUs in Maine that receive funds under IDEA are required to participate in Maine’s CIMP. The CIMP and supporting documents can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/education/speced/spp/spp_ta.html#allindicators . To understand your SAU’s responsibility, please review the “Local Determination Levels, Assistance and Enforcement Actions” document on the website. Below is the timeline for submission and approval of the required CIMP documents.

March 23: SAUs submit Self-assessment Parts 1 and 3

April 15: SAUs submit Self-assessment Parts 2 and 4 (If the SAU has been monitored within the past year, a Close Out Letter from Program Monitoring may be substituted for Part 2.)

May 15: SAUs submit Improvement/Corrective Action Plan

June 15: Improvement/Corrective Action Plan is approved by SPPIRIT/Office of Special Services

Each of the documents will be reviewed by the State Performance Plan Indicator Response and Improvement Team (SPPIRIT). Members of SPPIRIT have been assigned to the SAUs that fall into the Needs Assistance category (received an overall determination level of 2 for the second year of two years) and to the SAUs that fall into Needs Intervention (for the first year of three years). SAUs that Meet Requirements but have specific indicators that received a determination of 2 or 3, and those that fall into Needs Assistance (for the first year of two years) will be offered regional and/or online opportunities for technical assistance.

Technical assistance includes the webinar “SPP Indicator SAU Profile Next Steps.” Maine’s Department of Education, Office of Special Services, through RMC Research Corporation, is hosting a free interactive Webinar on Monday, February 23, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm to present an overview of the CIMP, with next steps and timelines, including: a) the four sections of self assessment and forms, b) the appeals process, and c) the Improvement/Corrective Action Plan (ICAP). All participants must register in advance.

To register for the free Webinar on February 23rd, go to: http://registrations.rmcres.com/ . In the box labeled Event/Form ID enter SPPI. Further information will be provided on how to join the meeting once you have registered. A copy of the webinar will be available for those not able to be present on February 23rd.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact Dr. Pamela Rosen at pam.rosen@maine.gov .