DOE Releases $1 Million for Special Education

Concord – The New Hampshire Department of Education today announced $1 million in special education grants to New Hampshire school districts to support remote learning. The Department is reprioritizing $1 million in unspent federal Fiscal Year 2018 discretionary funds. Grants are based on student enrollment, with a minimum of $3,000 and a maximum of $25,000 to each district.

"While New Hampshire has excelled in this transition to remote instruction, supporting our special education students has been our most difficult challenge. It is vital that we continue to meet these students' needs," said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. "That is why we are reprioritizing unspent state-level IDEA funds to help local schools support these students."

"We had planned to use these funds for professional development this spring, but after speaking to districts across the state, we found that support for remote instruction was a far more pressing priority for special education," added Rebecca Fredette, State Director of Special Education.

Under current law, the grants must be spent by September 30, 2020, but the Department is seeking an extension from the federal Department of Education. Grants may be used for activities including:

• The purchase of technology for the support of remote learning for special education purposes
• The payment for services provided to students while remote learning
• Fees for software or programming related to providing special education or supporting the process of special education

For more information, contact Lisa Moody at lisa.moody@doe.nh.gov.

• Special Education Remote Learning Support Funds Memo
• Special Education Remote Learning Support Funds by District