Category Archives: Updates

On Sunday, February 7th 2021, an update will be posted to all Minnesota SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the changes listed below:

IEP
1. Start and end dates will autocomplete from the first service on the page.
(Source: Wendy Van Batavia, Midwest Special Ed Cooperative #44346)
2. A red non-printable message has been added to the next federal setting on the student information page of the service plan to let users know that the setting will not automatically update.
(Source: Claire Lightfoot, Jordan Public Schools #45442)
3. Math Measurement goals have been merged into the Geometry and Measurement subcategory.
(Source: Gary Lewis, SpEd Forms DE-1153)

IFSP
1. SpEd Forms and Local Test buttons have been added to the Family directed assessment page of the IFSP. This will allow districts to more efficiently enter information about their chosen family outcome tool or interview format enhancing quality and consistency.
(Source: Renee Dietz, Centennial School District #45769)

504
1. Spanish, Hmong and Somali translations of the 504 Contingency Learning Plan have been added.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #DE-1143)

MA
1. Added the ability to enter a message on the student billing setup. Text entered in the new student specific message box will be a pop up for staff accessing the activity log menu for that student.
(Source: Lorri Gales, Central Public Schools #DE-1202)
2. Added the display of the service plan and evaluation date on the results page of the Create/edit claim transmission screen.
(Source: Lorri Gales, Central Public Schools #45821)

Other Forms
1. Situationally specific Part C Prior Written Notice documents have been added for use. These forms are compliant, family-friendly and utilize drop-down functionality rather than default text.
(Source: SpEd Forms ECSE Advisory Committee, #40653)
2. Red text indicating that this field is not required has been added to the Lifestyle Interventions section on the Positive Behavior Support Plan.
(Source: Heather Harms, Waseca Public School District #45894)
3. Item #5 on the Notice of Agreement that a 3 Year Reevaluation is Not Needed has been removed.
(Source: SpEd Forms Advisory Committee, #45953)

Reports
1. Added the ability to export the Admin MA Reconciliation report to Excel.
(Source: Shilo Morlang, Duluth Public Schools #45663)
2. Secondary Disability has been added as a search option to the administrator reports.
(Source: Karrie Taylor Detroit Lakes Public School #45766)
3. Added the finalization date to the “Students with Amended IEPs” quick report.
(Source: Dawn Kullot, Hiawatha Valley Education District #45946)
4. “Students birth to 3 with informed consent” has been added to the available MA quick reports.
(Source: Sally Wulf, Westonka Public Schools #46051)
5. A new GenEd quick report titled “Students with Enrollment Records but no Attendance Inactives Included” is now available.
(Source: Katie Roiger, Yellow Medicine East Schools #45976)
6. An adjustment column has been added to the Admin MA Reconciliation report to display the difference in the amount paid if different than the amount billed.
(Source: Tonia Czech, SpEd Forms #DE-1126)
7. The Admin MA Reconciliation report has been updated to run in the background to reduce timing out errors.
(Source: Tonia Czech, SpEd Forms #DE-1168)

2.0
1. The 2.0 Activity log claim line has been arranged to follow a typical order of input and updated to allow more definition between dates.
(Source: Julie Stoneking, Albert Lea Area Schools #44990)
2. The student history screen has been converted to SpEd Forms 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms DE-898)
3. Credentials, Profile and Goals within Educator Setup have all been converted to SpEd Forms 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms DE-1110, DE-1116, DE-1137)
4. Hover explanations have been added to the icons on the 2.0 Activity log.
(Source: Tonia Czech, SpEd Forms DE-1211)

Student Setup
1. Fields for transporting district name and type have been added to the Student Setup screen.
(Source: Vilay Miller, Waseca Public Schools #45795)

System
1. The process has been improved to allow users to select multiple custom eval/assessment tools at once.
(Source: Michelle Curtis, Luverne Public School District #44764)
2. Disability dropdowns have all been capitalized to remain consistent throughout the program.
(Source: Ryan Stadsvold, Sauk Centre School District #45655)
3. The link to the list of school districts using SpEd Forms has been added to the Admin overview page.
(Source: Dorothy Eckblad, Goodhue County Education District #45799)
4. Changes have been made to the location of important documents within the forms menu that appear when IFSP is selected as a student’s plan, including the addition of new folders.
(Source: Lisa Backer, SpEd Forms #45780)
5. The character limit of the User login message has been increased.
(Source: Rashelle Weicherding, River Bend Education District #45809)
6. Removed an obsolete MA preference that was replaced by an admin extended permission.
(Source: Tonia Czech, SpEd Forms #DE-1213)

On Sunday, February 7th 2021, an update will be posted to all Wisconsin SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the updates listed below:

IEP
1. Geometry/Measurement and Measurement goals have been merged into the one subcategory, Geometry/Measurement.
(Source: Gary Lewis, SpEd Forms #45648)
2. Added the ability to finalize the Team Meeting Cover Page (I-3).
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #DE-1133)
3. A check box was added to the Team Meeting Cover Page (I-3) to note who attended the meeting.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #DE-1121)
4. Circumstances from the Program Summary (I-4.4 A) Supplementary Aids and Services have been added to the IEP Snapshot.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45389)

Evaluation
1. The last evaluation date on the Notice of Reevaluation (RE-1) will auto populate from the eligibility date on the set up page.
(Source: Amy Jones, River Ridge School District #45850)
2. The Existing Data Review to Determine if Additional Assessments or Evaluation Materials are Needed (ED-1) will auto complete the date provided to the parents from the Notice of Reevaluation (RE-1) and Notice of Receipt of Referral and Start of Initial Evaluation (IE-1) if entered.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45717)
3. Removed the extraneous date listed at the bottom of the Existing Data Review to Determine if Additional Assessments or Evaluation Materials are Needed (ED-1).
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45718)

Student setup
1. Transporting district and type have been added to the student setup.
(Source: Vilay Miller, Waseca Public Schools #45795)
2. Removed “Notice Date” from the Student Setup page and the Combined Report.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #DE-1194)

Other Forms
1. Log in message character limit has been increased to 500 characters.
(Source: Rashelle Weicherding, River Bend Education District #45809)

Reports
1. Added a link to the list of school districts using SpEd Forms to the Administrator overview page.
(Source: Dorothy Eckblad, Goodhue County Education District #45799)
2. Secondary Disability has been added as a search option to the administrator reports.
(Source: Karrie Taylor Detroit Lakes Public School #45766)

DPI SEPA Records
1. Removed the IEP Review Date from the DPI record.
(Source: Tara Gonyer, Superior School District #DE-1142)

Educator Setup
1. The educator goal setup has been converted to SpEd Forms 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-1137)
2. The educator profile has been converted to SpEd Forms 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-1116)

On Saturday, January 16th 2021, an update will be posted to all Minnesota SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the changes listed below:

IEP
1. Fractions/Decimals goals and objectives have been added under the Math category.
(Source: Gary Lewis, SpEd Forms #DE-1067)

504
1. A message has been added when a user tries to navigate to a different service plan from the 504 Forms menu.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-899)
2. A 504 Contingency Learning Plan form has been added for use.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #DE-1079)

MA
1. Added column header sort link on the administrative services setup page and placed disabled services at the bottom of the page.
(Source: Marilyn Hellweg, SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #43343)
2. Made a change to allow the same start and disabled date on the ICD-10 code setup to not cause an error on the activity log or 837 batch file.
(Source: Shilo Morlang, Duluth #44878)
3. When adding ICD-10 codes the service will only pull from active services for that district.
(Source: Shilo Morlang, Duluth #45133)
4. Added an option to mark a claim “Incomplete” until the provider has completed all documentation to bill the claim.
(Source: Linda Potts, Independent School District 199 #45214)

ER
1. The Primary Disability and Team Membership page has been updated so that the secondary and tertiary disability is consistent with the drop downs used on the student setup.
(Source: Samantha Clark, Hiawatha Valley Education District #45044)
2. Added the Developmental Assessment of Young Children – 2nd Edition test for use.
(Source: Emily Rudolph, Hibbing Public Schools #DE-1117)

Other Forms
1. A new form titled Notice of Agreement that a 3 Year Reevaluation is Not Needed is available. It is off by default and will need to be turned on in preferences by an administrator.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #DE-1078)
2. A link to the IEP/IFSP services grid has been added to the Attendance entry page. This will make it more efficient for users to check the dosage included on the service grid to avoid over or under reporting of direct or indirect service minutes.
(Source: Linda Wharram, Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative #44956).
3. The Stand-alone Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) has been removed from the IFSP menu. Functional Behavioral Assessments apply to students served under Part B of IDEA and are not included within Part C.
(Source: Lisa Backer, SpEd Forms #45351)
4. The Additional Factors dropdown list on the Evaluation/Reevaluation Plan Prior Written Notice has been updated.
(Source: Whitney Swenson, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools #45478)
5. The EDHI Information form on the COSF menu has been updated to comply with questions from MDE. The revised EDHI data screens should make it much easier for providers working with young children with hearing loss to capture all of the data MDE expects to be reported as these young children exit Part C or Preschool Special Education.
(Source: Janelle Ortiz, Sherburne and Northern Wright Special Ed. Coop #45517)

Reports
1. The provider name has been added to the “MA – Psychology” quick report.
(Source: Michelle Lorinser, Minnetonka Public Schools #45560)
2. A new admin quick report titled “Transfer requests made to an import account” is available.
(Source: Kyle Erickson, Northwest Regional Inter-District Council #45576)
3. The school name has been added to the “IEP Plan Specifications- Due Dates” quick report.
(Source: Amy Peterson, Elk River Area Schools #45782)

Educator Setup
1. Addressing information has been added to the Educator Setup screen.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms #DE-917)
2. Updated all instances of 2000 and 2020 to now say version 1.0 and 2.0.
(Source: Kelli Byrnes, SpEd Forms #DE-1062)
3. The Eval/Assessment Tools entry in Educator Setup has been converted to 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-1103)

System
1. Cooperative administrators will now be able to create form letters that are visible to only districts under their cooperative.
(Source: Kori Ryan, Indigo Education #DE-1028)
2. “Commonly used procedures and materials” is now titled “Eval/Assessment Tools”.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms #DE-1053)
3. In all team member lists, Regular Education Teacher will now be listed as General Education Teacher.
(Source: Eric Kvale, Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council #45014)
4. References to a child’s birth date have been made standard across the program to “birth date” instead of “date of birth” or “birthdate” or any other variation.
(Source: Mark Oehrlein, SpEd Forms #45455)
5. Secondary and Tertiary disabilities moved to the General tab of the Admin preferences page.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms #DE-1118)

On Saturday, January 16th 2021, an update will be posted to all Wisconsin SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the updates listed below:

IEP
1.Added an “Attended” column to the print page of the Team Meeting Cover Page (I-3) for attendees to sign.
(Source: Chareese Morris, Milwaukee Academy of Science #45516)
2. Fractions/Decimals goals and objectives have been added under the Math category.
(Source: Gary Lewis, SpEd Forms #DE-1067)

Other Forms
1. Updated R-1, RE-1, RE-2, RE-3, RE-4, RE-5, and IE-3 to allow unique dates for each form.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45115)
2. Updated language for “Birth date” to be consistent on all forms.
(Source: Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms #45455)
3. Required Documentation for SLD – Initial Evaluation Using Significant Discrepancy (ER-2-C) has been added to the SpEd Forms 2.0 forms’ menu.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45521)
4. Resident school has been added to the student setup.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45519)
5. Updated the Interim Review of IEP Goals (I-6) to allow finalization.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45607)

Educator setup
1. Updated all instances of 2000 and 2020 to now say version 1.0 and 2.0.
(Source: Kelli Byrnes, SpEd Forms #DE-1062)
2. The Eval/Assessment Tools entry in Educator Setup has been converted to 2.0.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-1103)

SEPA/DPI Records
1. Updated DPI SEPA record to allow deletion.
(Source: Mark Oehrlein, SpEd Forms #DE-1033)

On Saturday, December 5th 2020, an update will be posted to all Minnesota SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the changes listed below:

IEP
1. A delete button has been added to the Progress Report for administrators only. This will allow empty progress boxes to be removed if needed.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms DE-984)
2. Gender will no longer appear on the printed IEP to alleviate any issues with students who identify differently.
(Source: Noreen Foster, Indigo Education #44838)

MA
1. The MA Parental Consent form can now be finalized.
(Source: Karrie Taylor, Detroit Lakes Public School District #43840)
2. Criteria of “Eligible” has been added to the reconciliation report.
(Source: Cheryl Hince, Independent School District 192 #44102)
3. Increased the character limit on the Comment text on the MA student billing setup.
(Source: Dennie Barnier, Detroit Lakes Public School District #45181)

CLP
1. The Contingency Learning Plan is now available in Spanish, Hmong and Somali languages making it easier for districts who serve students with disabilities whose parents speak these languages to give informed consent.
(Source: SpEd Forms, #DE-878)
2. Checkboxes titled “No changes needed for hybrid learning” and “Changes needed for hybrid learning listed below” have been added to the Special Education and Related Services sections of both Scenarios 2 and 3 .This is to help make the plan clearer to parents and teachers.
(Source: Kandice Voigt, Benton Stearns Education Programs #44177)

Other Forms
1. The text editor has been added to all fields of the Stand-alone Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA).
(Source: Nicole Takle, Elk River Area Schools #45297)
2. “Another option considered was to do a comprehensive evaluation, however, it was decided that we only needed to look at the specific behaviors at this time.” has been added to dropdown #76 on the Evaluation/Reevaluation Plan Prior Written Notice form.
(Source: Sarah Mittelstadt, Southern Plains Education Cooperative #45193)
3. Both Parent/Guardians will now show on the top of the Authorization for Release of Information form.
(Source: Leigh Ann Feily, Edina Public Schools #45120)

Reports
1. The MA “Total Amount Paid” report has been updated to reflect the additional 6.2% increase in federal share for claims paid after January 7th, 2021.
(Source: Kerri Whitney, Eastern Carver County Schools #45078)

Student Setup
1. A field for a student’s preferred name has been added to Student Setup out of respect to students who go by a name that is different from their legal name.
(Source: Debra Peterson, Mankato Area Public Schools #45021)
2. The Native Language dropdown has been arranged in a more logical manner. Any duplicate values were also removed.
(Source: Konnie Beck, ISD 518 #45355)

System
1. A question has been added to the support request system asking which version of the program you are using to help pinpoint issues (v 1.0 or v 2.0.). The questions in the support request system should be answered as thoroughly as possible so we are able to help you faster.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-993)

Announcement
Because “2020” has become synonymous with negativity, SpEd Forms has renamed its new version. The version formerly known as SpEd Forms 2020 has been renamed SpEd Forms 2.0. The original version will be referred to as SpEd Forms 1.0.

On Saturday, December 5th 2020, an update will be posted to all Wisconsin SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the updates listed below:

IEP
1. Existing Data Review to Determine if Additional Assessments or Evaluation Materials are Needed (ED-1) was added to the Reevaluation folder in SpEd Forms 2.0.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45312)
2. Added range for the Program Summary (I-4.4 C) services.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #45250)
3. Added N/A to the Frequency drop down for all services.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #44679)

Other Forms
1. Added the ability to delete student form letters.
(Source: Diane McCarron, Sped Forms #DE-951)
2. Editable parent signature lines have been added to the Agreement on IEP Team Participant Attendance at IEP Meeting (I-2) and Consent to Bill Wisconsin Medicaid for Health-Related Special Education and Related Services (M-5) forms.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District #44917)

SEPA/DPI Records
1. Beginning of the year record creator to use the school from the student setup and not the prior year DPI record.
(Source: Mark Oerhlein, SpEd Forms #DE-983)

On Saturday, November 7th 2020, an update will be posted to all Minnesota SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the changes listed below:

IEP
1. The federal settings chart has been updated to more effectively support accurate reporting of five year old students with disabilities enrolled in kindergarten.
(Source: Jackie Skelly, IASC Special Education Cooperative #44484)
2. You will now have an option to leave out the transition pages when finalizing the IEP if the student is grades Pre-K through 5th grade so you don’t have blank pages in history. This change is for the 2000 version of SpEd Forms. This was already possible in the 2020 version.
(Source: Melissa Hanson, SWWC Service Cooperatives #42754)

MA
1. When duplicating days on an MA activity log, an option will be available to select the days of the week to duplicate. This feature is only available in the 2020 version of MA Forms.
(Source: Lauren Johnsen, Minnetonka Public Schools #39334)
2. When creating a 270 eligibility file, before processing, you will be able to enter the date to check.
(Source: Wanda Lane, Brainerd School District #43996)

ER
1. Added the Battelle Developmental Inventory – 3rd Edition.
(Source: Hollie Pater, SWWC Service Cooperatives #44759)

CLP
1. Dropdowns for description of service delivery method and special transportation have been added so that districts can choose to add specific dropdown statements.
(Source: Kelly Anderson, Metro Deaf School #44814)
2. A checkbox titled “Changes to the IEP will be needed and are explained on the following pages” has been added to the Scenario 2: Hybrid Learning page. This was requested to help make the form clearer to parents and teachers.
(Source: Jennifer Davie, Eastern Carver County Schools #44823)

Other Forms
1. Section 5 of the Authorization for the Release of Information form has been updated. The update is designed to make it easier for outside agencies to interpret the authorization and apply it to data maintained by that agency.
(Source: Lori Lorenz, Hopkins Public Schools #44658)
2. 2020/2021 district superintendent information has been updated per the MDE website to populate into the Special Education Student Acknowledgement and Tuition Agreement form.
(Source: Kelli Byrnes, SpEd Forms #44668)
3. The ECSE Child Outcomes Summary Form will now only be able to be finalized once per date. This was asked for to reduce duplicate child ratings from appearing on the associated administrative report.
(Source: Michelle Steele, Alexandria Public Schools #39476)

Reports
1. Added an MA quick report titled “Evaluation Summary 2020-21 (1) MA Eligible Only”.
(Source: Michelle Lorinser, Minnetonka Public Schools #45083)
2. A Possible Blank CLP field has been added to the “IEP and CLP Finalization Dates” admin quick report.
(Source: Shilo Morlang, Duluth Public Schools #44934)
3. The “SIS (Imported) Enrollment Record Discrepancies vs SpEd Forms” quick report has been made available to Building and District administrators.
(Source: Lynne Rau, Eden Prairie ISD #44974)
4. A remove MA option has been added to the Admin Student Sharing report.
(Source: Amy Bean, Independent School District 318 #43633)

Admin Organization
1. Added the ability to turn off the IIIP and ISP under Admin Preferences. This change will prevent district staff from inadvertently using forms that are no longer recommended.
(Source: Kelly Rockwell, Austin Public Schools #45012)

Student Setup
1. Updated wording for MARSS Status 2 for clarity. Status 2 will now read: EC Enrolled for evaluation.
(Source: SpEd Forms #DE-888)

On Saturday, November 7th 2020, an update will be posted to all Wisconsin SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the updates listed below:

IEP
1. The 2020 SpEd Forms menu has been reorganized.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District DE-401)
2. Removed upon request from drop down options per DPI’s instruction.
(Source: Beth Fechtelkotter, Superior School District SR #45183)

Other Forms
1. Added a new form, Emergency Health/Transportation Information.
(Source: Tara Gonyer, Superior School District DE-874)

SEPS/DPI Records
1. A start of school year DPI records creation tool has been added.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms DE-869)
2. DPI editor in admin / reports has been updated.
(Source: Mark Ohrlein, SpEd Forms DE-910)

On Saturday, October 3rd 2020, an update will be posted to all Minnesota SpEd Forms sites. The update will include the changes listed below:

MA
1. The student’s grade has been added to the MA student billing as a non-editable display to the right of the date of birth.
(Source: Karen Pyzdrowski, Hopkins Public Schools #42890)
2. The reconciliation report Receivable Total (Federal Share) amount has been updated to account for the increased 6.2% added to payments from January 7th, 2020 and later.
(Source: Julie Stoneking, Albert Lea Area Schools #44026)
3. Updated the ICD-10 code lists to account for the CMS additions, changes, and deletion of codes.
(Source: Michael Buswell, SpEd Forms DE-789)

ER
1. Dyssemia Rating Scale – School Screening (DRS-SS) has been added to the available SpEd Forms tests.
(Source: Cassandra Gohman, SWWC Service Cooperatives #44791)

Other Forms
1. Created separate reading, math, science, and civics drop down options on the assessments page of the service plan.
(Source: Robin Bloom, Bloomington Public Schools #43993)
2. Made the Location/Building uneditable on the Student Acknowledgement and Tuition Agreement form to prevent unintended changes on the Student Setup screen.
(Source: Jennifer Jacobsen, FIT Academy #DE-805)

Reports
1. A new “Students without enrollment records 2020-21” general ed quick report was added.
(Source: Lori Sandvig, Edina Public Schools #44704)
2. An “Admin Notes” quick report was created.
(Source: Lauren Johnsen, Minnetonka Public Schools #44736)
3. Added an MA quick report titled “Students with inactive CMS ICD-10 codes” to list any students that have an inactive ICD-10 code.
(Source: Tonia Czech, SpEd Forms DE-789)

Educator Student List
1. The IDLP quick link has been replaced with a link to the CLP.
(Source: Heather Guzik, St. Croix River Education District #44442)

Admin Educators
1. An email field has been added to the Admin Educators screen to allow a search by email address.
(Source: Kelli Byrnes, SpEd Forms #44070)
2. OT and COTA have been added to the Credentials dropdown.
(Source: Courtney Hanson, Midwest Special Ed Coop #44351)

Student Setup
1. The status dropdown default has been updated for clarity.
(Source: Lisa Backer, SpEd Forms #DE-813)

2020
1. The Quit button will now say Sign Out.
(Source: Shane Dennis, SpEd Forms #DE-819)
2. Added the goals/objectives to the description drop down on the MA activity log.
(Source: Marilyn Hellweg, SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #44500)