Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE) is the umbrella Center for a number of the US Department of Education and State Special Education contracts, and school district technical assistance agreements. TAESE is the technical assistance division of the Center for Persons with Disabilities, College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University.

Message from the Director

The evolution of special education and services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities has been interesting and fulfilling to observe. The passing of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in the mid-1970s has resulted in equal educational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. We have gone from a period of trying to secure physical access for children and youth with disabilities to the present where there is an emphasis on improved educational results and increased accountability.

TAESE is the umbrella center for the Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center and numerous contracts with State Education Agencies (SEA) and Lead Agencies (LA). The TAESE staff has a twenty eight-year history of providing quality technical assistance in the area of special education and related topics. They have expertise in all areas of special education and can respond to almost any State need for information, inservice, and technical assistance.

TAESE is connected to a variety of regional and national consultants, centers, and resources in special education that can be linked to States, school districts, and schools in solving persistent problems that impact services to children and youth with disabilities. Special education has become very complicated; there are increased demands for accurate and timely data, demonstrating results, and ensuring compliance of all special education laws and regulations. This is extremely challenging for States with small staffs and school districts/schools that have limited resources.

TAESE is willing and able to respond to State and school special education needs. Our goal is to keep it simple and keep the main thing — the main thing — children with disabilities. This website is intended to provide you with general information about TAESE and how to access our services. Thank you,

John Copenhaver, Director