Special Education Advisory Council reviews IEP trends, virtual‑school services
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Summary
SEAC chair Dr. Lena Kisner reported Kansas met federal State Performance Plan requirements for 15 years, added a virtual‑school voting representative, and flagged growing IEP counts and varied service delivery models in virtual schools.
Dr. Lena Kisner, chair of the Special Education Advisory Council, presented the council’s annual report to the Kansas State Board of Education, highlighting sustained compliance with federal State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report requirements and issues for continued monitoring in virtual school settings.
Kisner said Kansas has met SPP/APR requirements for 15 years and that SEAC added a virtual‑school representative as a voting member. She highlighted recent on‑site visits to the State School for the Blind and the State School for the Deaf and continued collaboration on teacher licensure and capacity building.
On virtual schools, Kisner and state director Bert Moore explained that students with IEPs may enroll in district‑run virtual schools and that services can include consultative supports, direct services, or optional in‑person instruction depending on student needs and local capacity. Moore said that direct services in virtual settings are often delivered live with document cameras and small‑group instruction; social‑emotional services are also being provided virtually in some districts.
Board members asked for clarification about the rise in IEP counts in virtual settings; staff said they are monitoring increases over five to six years and will continue coordination with the State Interagency Coordinating Council on early childhood transitions.
The presentation concluded with an invitation for questions; board members thanked SEAC for the report and acknowledged the complexity of delivering special education services in the expanding virtual‑school landscape.
No formal board action was taken on the SEAC report during the meeting; staff offered to provide further data and follow‑up on implementation challenges.
