Oklahoma State Department of Education-Special Education Services

The Indicator 14 PSO Survey for Summer 2026 is now underway! Initial email and text notifications have been sent to 2024–2025 exiters with a link to complete the survey online.
Students who do not respond online will receive phone calls from Data Driven Enterprises OR from your district if you opted in. Opt-in districts will receive call lists and materials around June 23rd. The calling window is June 23rd–July 23rd.
Need a quick refresher? Watch this short 8-minute Overview of Indicator 14.
There’s still time to opt in! Submit the opt in form by June 22nd:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7165487/OKI14optin
Need a quick refresher? Watch this short 8-minute Overview of Indicator 14: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z7crctw4qtbwx9x47y4fz/OK-Indicator-14-Instructional-Video-2026.mp4?rlkey=8vqaprbb2ncev7rntx57s4m2x&st=5yfrilwj&dl=0*20recorded__;JQ!!NZFi6Pppv9YRQw!saj2qBHo-bKsGPxKW2qQilwcPifzYtexJNweSN9sLZtLn05nbmjW8VxKVmRoJ-z1_npHI9huc0TELinUTM9Tr4t2tsXW73nyG_fidQ$

Oklahoma Indicator 14 Opt-in Survey Oklahoma Indicator 14 Opt-in Survey.

Thursday wrapped up the Oklahoma Deaf Education Conference, “Pathways to Possibilities,” hosted at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). Over two inspiring days, professionals from across the state came together to learn, collaborate, and strengthen their commitment to language, literacy, and access for all deaf and hard of hearing children.

Through engaging workshops and meaningful conversations, attendees built connections that will continue long after the conference ends. Participants included teachers of the deaf, educational interpreters, Deaf mentors, administrators, early intervention specialists, and other professionals.

Thank you to everyone who presented, attended, and helped make this year’s conference a success. The sponsors and exhibitors who supported the conference are so very much appreciated. By working together, we are all creating pathways to possibilities for Oklahoma’s deaf and hard of hearing students.

The Oklahoma Educational Interpreter Training Institute (OEITI) kicked off this week at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma as part of the Oklahoma Deaf Education Conference.

OEITI brings together educational interpreters who are working toward meeting Oklahoma's proficiency requirements for interpreting in public school settings. Throughout the institute, participants engage in intensive professional learning focused on American Sign Language (ASL) fluency, linguistic features and nuances of ASL, educational interpreting practices, and the Code of Professional Conduct.

A dedicated team of interpreter trainers, presenters, and Deaf mentors collaborates to provide guidance, feedback, and support as participants strengthen their skills and continue their professional growth. We are grateful for the expertise and commitment of everyone involved in helping ensure students who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to highly qualified educational interpreters.
We look forward to another great day of learning and collaboration!

Collaboration in Action: early childhood staff from special education and standards and learning sections at OSDE attended the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute last week to continue their work supporting all young learners.

Together we are learning and leading to strengthen outcomes for our youngest students with disabilities.

Summer 2026 ROCKET Camps: Rural Oklahoma Camps for Expanding Transition

ROCKET Camps offer early and timely opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities to begin and continue their transition journeys to life after high school, graduation, and extended transition services. The Pervasive Parenting Resource Center and other transition partners collaborate to make ROCKET Camps available during the summer and are expanding their reach to southwest Oklahoma.
• ROCKET Camp for ages 10–13 is a fun, one-day experience designed to help younger students begin building confidence, independence, and everyday life skills. Through interactive activities, games, and group experiences, participants explore communication, teamwork, and early self-advocacy in a supportive environment. This camp helps lay the foundation for future success at school, at home, and in the community.
Registration info for the ROCKET Camp (Ages 10–13):
>>June 16 at Poteau https://forms.gle/aF9vSt9QKN7XWCMV8
>>June 24 at McAlester https://forms.gle/icUv4mnMxr23FuWE9
• ROCKET Camp for ages 14–24 is a two-day transition-focused experience that prepares youth and young adults for life beyond high school. Participants build skills in self-advocacy, employment readiness, independent living, and decision-making through hands-on activities, real-world practice, and peer engagement. ROCKET Camp empowers participants to plan for their future, strengthen their voice, and take meaningful steps toward adulthood.
Registration for the ROCKET Camp (Ages 14–24):
>>June 25-26 at McAlester https://forms.gle/5dQFqEwTfvgR3hvw8
>>June 25-26 at Hobart https://forms.gle/JQPiQmC83FZWfoKs8

For additional information or questions, call the Pervasive Parenting Center (918) 647-1255 or email [email protected].

Rocket Camp Registration (Ages 14 - 24) Event Timing: June 25th & 26th, 2026 9:00am to 3:00pm Event Address: Washington Center 700 S. 6th St, McAlester, OK 74501 Call us at (918) 647-1255 Email us at [email protected]

Summer Camp Opportunities Still Available

Summer camps can provide structured opportunities to build independence, social skills, and confidence in a supportive environment. Through hands-on activities, peer interaction, and exposure to new experiences, students with and without disabilities can strengthen communication, problem-solving, and self-advocacy skills while enjoying a sense of belonging and fun outside of the traditional classroom setting. Explore and share the comprehensive list of summer camp opportunities compiled by our partners at Sooner SUCCESS. Please note the list of camps is meant to be a source of information only, and not an endorsement or promotion of any specific camp.

View the list here: https://soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu/Resources/Camp-List

PLEASE SHARE THIS LIST WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, and others who might be looking for summer opportunities! Wishing everyone a great summer!

Camp List We have compiled a list of inclusive camps. This list is not an endorsement or promotion of the camps but is meant to be a source of information only.  

OATECA Transition Center Offers a New Summer Program

The OATECA Transition Center in Yukon is offering a Summer Program with daily sessions to be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 30th to July 23rd. The program offers a fun, structured, and supportive experience for teens and adults with significant disabilities. Designed to promote independence, participants will engage in hands-on activities that build daily living, social, and work-readiness skills. From community outings to interactive learning experiences, each day is focused on meaningful growth, confidence building, and connection. The summer program provides a safe and engaging environment where every participant is empowered to learn, thrive, and be an active part of their community. There will be three two-hour sessions offered each day with time slots beginning at 8:00, 10:30 and 1:00. Each session will provide engagement a different theme-focused craft, work task, or home life skill. Time slots are filled on a first come, first serve basis at $50.00 per session, with registration available by date, day, and session for flexible scheduling options for participants and their families. For more information and to access registration information visit

The OATECA Transition Center Do you know a high school student or an adult with significant disabilities that would like to have summer plans for the month of July? The OATECA Transition Center Summer Program offers a fun,...

Join us in celebrating our "everyday heroes" on May 6, 2026, for National School Nurse Day!

School nurses are critical members of the educational team, serving on the front lines to provide a vital safety net that advances the well-being and academic success of all students. Beyond administering first aid, they manage chronic conditions for the one in four students who need it, provide essential mental health support, and bridge the gap between healthcare and the classroom.

Research shows that schools with full-time nurses see lower rates of absenteeism and higher graduation rates, and for every dollar invested in school nursing, society saves $2.20. Meaningful recognition is more than just a gesture; it improves nurse retention and morale, ensuring our schools remain healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Let’s unite to celebrate and advocate for these dedicated healthcare leaders who make a difference every day!

DLM Summer Institute 2026
The Oklahoma State Department of Education – Special Education Services (OSDE-SES) is seeking four teachers who provide science instruction to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to attend the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Compass 2026 Standard Setting Workshop, taking place July 14–16, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This conference brings together DLM partner states to collaborate and share practical instructional strategies for supporting students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. We are seeking teachers who are eager to engage with peers and actively participate in learning sessions focused on science, English language arts, and mathematics, with a special emphasis on multidimensional science standards.

For selected candidates, OSDE-SES will cover all costs. Prior to the event, OSDE-SES will pay for and arrange hotel accommodation, airfare, and workshop registration. Following the conference, districts may seek reimbursement through GMS project funding for allowable expenses, including luggage fees, daily per diem, mileage to and from the Oklahoma City airport, ground transportation (taxi/Uber) between the airport and hotel in Milwaukee.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the application. Selected applicants will be notified by OSDE-SES and a DLM representative. Applications must be submitted by April 24, 2026, and notifications will be sent by May 1, 2026, and a $500 stipend for the participant.

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Compass 2026 Standard Setting Workshop: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-87ZGi52xdkLS5gkCWVr0MK1Vg5D7XGO/view

Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15KWqRFKDlHkN8OgDN346Zp5pP6KJbMD44V5y1f42BNs/viewform?edit_requested=true

March 21, 2026 was World Down Syndrome Day. By raising awareness, embracing differences, and spreading kindness. Wearing bright, bold, mismatched socks is a fun way to start conversations and show support for inclusion and acceptance for all.

Celebrating the beauty in what makes each of us unique—because different is amazing. 💛

Earlier this month, Heather Hancock from our Special Education team helped Superintendent Fields celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by gifting him a pair of fun socks - a symbol of inclusion, awareness and support for individuals with Down Syndrome. Moments like this remind us that it’s often the little things that help build a culture of belonging.