National Association of State Directors of Special Education Since 1938, NASDSE has been building on its reputation as a services-focused organization to help state agencies promote and support specially designed instruction and related services for children and youth with disabilities. NASDSE's activities are intended to provide professional support to its members and others interested in special education and to promote the vision that all students can learn to higher levels.

IDEA Partnership As the No Child Left Behind Act focuses educators on performance improvement of students with disabilities, there is an urgent and common need among special and general educators to find new ways to understand each other and work together effectively. This project of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) will help policy makers, service providers, administrators, and families translate knowledge into action in a way that creates personal meaning and informs their work and interactions every day.

Personnel Improvement Center The Personnel Improvement Center works to increase the nation's capacity to recruit, prepare and retain highly qualified and fully certified special education, early intervention and related services personnel, including paraprofessionals. Our work in selected states and their local programs is focused on increasing capacity to hire and develop personnel to serve children and youth with disabilities, birth to 21, and their families.

The Regional Resource Center Program The Regional Resource Center Program is made up of the six Regional Resource Centers for Special Education (RRCs) .

U.S. Department of Education Promoting educational excellence for all Americans.

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NDC/NICHCY) NICHCY serves the nation as a central source of information on: • research-based information on effective educational practices, • disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth, • IDEA and No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), • products and services of OSEP’s TA&D projects, and • national, regional, and state agencies, disability organizations, professional and parent groups focused on the needs of children with disabilities. NICHCY focuses on support to states and local entities in building their capacity to improve early intervention, educational and transitional services, and results for children with disabilities and their families, and to address systemic-change goals and priorities. NICHCY brings research-based information and assistance to practice, in order to help states meet outcome indicators and show continuous improvement. NICHCY provides information in both English and Spanish.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports the national implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Our mission is to strengthen systems at all levels to ensure that children (birth through five) with disabilities and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate and family-centered supports and services.

Technical Assistance Coordination Center The TACC assists OSEP in supporting ongoing communication, collaboration, and coordination among the centers in the OSEP-funded TA&D Network, and between these centers and other relevant federally-funded TA&D centers, national professional organizations, and a broad spectrum of stakeholders.