Early Intervention and Special Education Services

Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services

The MSDE Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services (DEI/SES) provides leadership, accountability, technical assistance, and resource management to local school systems, public agencies, and stakeholders through a seamless, comprehensive system of coordinated services to children and students with disabilities, birth through age 21, and their families.


Resources

For Educators and Families


Partnership in Action


Items of Interest



Maryland Elevates

Maryland Elevates is the Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services comprehensive online resource for leaders, families, and providers of early intervention and special education. Find resources to support the Division's strategic imperatives: early childhood, access, equity, progress, and secondary transition; and COVID-19 updates to support students and their families during and after the pandemic.

Visit the Maryland Elevates website



DEI/S
ES Branches



Contact:

Antoine L. Hickman, Ed.D.
Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services

Office: (410) 767-0238
antoine.hickman@maryland.gov

Lisa Sparr
Executive Associate, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services

Office: (410) 767-0238
Fax: (410) 333-8165
lisa.sparr@maryland.gov

  Spotlight

Please join the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health at the Autism Waiver Prospective Provider Workshop on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 1:00-4:30pm to learn more about Maryland's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to become an Autism Waiver Provider. Please use this link to register. 


The purpose of the Guide for Obtaining Special Education Program Support for New, Replacement, Renovated, or Expanded School Facilities is to assist local education agencies during the evaluation of certain special education programs prior to the start of a major construction or renovation project in order to obtain a letter of support for the project. For more information, email deises-psta.msde@maryland.gov.


On December 30, 2021, Mohammed Choudhury, State Superintendent of Schools, issued a press release in response to the illegal and discriminatory use of restraint and seclusion. The Superintendent made clear that the illegal and inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in any school is unacceptable, and he immediately formed an intra-department workgroup to develop an action plan to tackle this important issue. Subsequently, during the 2022 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 1255 “Physical Restraint and Seclusion – Limitations, Reporting, and Training” (Education Article § 7-1101 et seq) which amended and expanded the law governing the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools, public agencies, and publicly funded nonpublic schools.

New! Parent Information Series Guidebooks

MSDE is proud to partner with our families through the publication of our new Parent Information Series.

These booklets provide essential information for families of students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21 on important topics that increase collaboration between home and school in planning for their child's education.

View the booklets