2008 - Present News Archive

6/17/2009 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

6/17/2009 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

6/10/2009 - Production Site EC Forms and Reports Not Opening

Currently, users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms and CECAS Reports. We are working on this problem and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

6/4/2009 - Upcoming DEC5, DEC5A and DEC7 Release

The new DEC5, DEC5A and DEC7 forms are projected to be released to the CECAS production and training sites in June 2009. We will inform you of the exact schedule for the release once determined. Please consider this communication to be your 10 business days notice of the deletion of all DEC5 and DEC7 forms that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified or Related forms. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

5/29/2009 - DPI Customer Satisfaction Survey

Technology Services is conducting our 6 month survey for your feedback so we can serve you better. If you use one or more of the products or services from the Technology Services Area, please complete the appropriate online survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2298BQ4CJCL The information you provide will be useful in helping Technology Services provide/improve services and programs to meet your needs and the needs of North Carolina Educators who use our resources and services. All responses will remain confidential. Providing your name and contact information is optional. Please complete the online survey that applies to you no later than June 12, 2009. The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
We need your help to serve you better!

5/21/2009 - Training Site Offline Today at 5:00 p.m.

The CECAS Training site will be going offline betweeen 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. today for maintenance at the Western Data Center. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

5/19/2009 - Production Site Issues Have Been Fixed

The issues that were reported yesterday with the CECAS production site have been fixed. If you have any questions about these or any other CECAS issues, please feel free to contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

05/19/2009 - Release of DEC/DEC1 to the Training Site Today at 5pm

The CECAS Training site will be going offline at approximately 5pm today for the release of the new DEC/DEC1 Electronic EC Forms. Users should be able to resume use of the CECAS application tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/18/2009 - Problems with CECAS

Users have reported issues with slowness, time-out errors, incorrect information in the drop lists and issues with EC Forms. We have reported these to our vendor and are working to correct this as soon as possible. we apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/14/2009 - Delay in Release of DEC/DEC1

Due to technical issues with the new DEC/DEC1 release, the planned move to the CECAS production site on 5/14/2009 has been postponed. LEAs will be updated as soon as the issues are resolved and a new release date is scheduled. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/13/2009 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports. This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/13/2009 - Training Site Offline Today at 12 Noon

The CECAS Training site will be going offline briefly at approximately 12 noon today for a release to the NCDPI QA site. Users may have to log out for a few minutes but should be able to log back in as soon as the release is complete. There will be no changes made directly to the training site at this time. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/12/2009 - Slowness on CECAS

Currently, CECAS is moving extremly slow when users are trying to navigate the system. Users are also having problems selecting from drop lists within the application. We are working to correct this and will post when resolved. Contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us, for all other problems.

5/11/2009 - CECAS Servers Offline Tonight at 6:00 PM

The CECAS servers will be taken offline for approximately 30 minutes this evening beginning at 6 PM to perform required maintenance. Users will not be able to log in to CECAS while the servers are offline. Additionally, if a user is already logged into the application, data entry will not be saved. If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/11/2009 - PDF EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/7/2009 - Slowness on CECAS

Currently, CECAS is moving extremly slow when users are trying to navigate the system. We are working to correct this and will post when resolved. Contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us, for all other problems.

5/6/2009 - DEC/DEC1 Release - May 14, 2009 The new DEC1 (Preschool Referral and School Age Referral) and the DEC (Invitation) forms will be released to the CECAS production and training sites on Thursday, May 14, 2009.

The CECAS production site and the CECAS training site will be down at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009 and we expect the sites to become available with the new DEC and DEC1 forms on Friday, May 15, 2009.

Users should plan ahead for any meeting or training on Friday in case of unexpected delays in bringing the sites back up. All DEC1 (Referral) and DEC (Invitations) forms that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release will be deleted.

Users might want to print out any Invitations for which a response has not yet been received to be sure they don't lose the documentation. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

5/5/2009 - EC Process Reports Are Opening/Slowness Fixed

The problem with accessing and opening EC Process Reports is corrected. The slowness/lagging users experienced yesterday while working in CECAS should be repaired as well. If you continue to experience these or any other problems, please contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 option 2 or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

5/4/2009 - Reports Not Opening

Currently, users are unable to access EC Process Reports. When you click the Preview button, the report appears to be generating and then a time out error occurs. We also have reported that CECAS is moving extremely slow when users are trying to navigate the system. We are working to correct this and will post when resolved. Contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us, for all other problems.

5/4/2009 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

5/3/2009 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports.
This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/6/2009 - Upcoming DEC1(Referral) and DEC(Invitations) Release

The new DEC1 (Preschool and School Age Referrals) and DEC (Invitations) forms are projected to be released to the CECAS production and training sites in May 2009. We will inform you of the exact schedule for the release once determined. Please consider this communication to be your 10 business days notice of the deletion of all DEC1 (Referral) and DEC (Invitations) forms that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release.

Users might want to print out their Invitations that are waiting for a response to be sure they don't lose the documentation. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

4/2/2009 - Production Site EC Forms issue has been fixed

Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue reported earlier today has been fixed. If you have any questions about these documents or any other CECAS issue please feel free to contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us. or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

4/2/2009 - PDF EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/19/2009 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

3/19/2009 - Status of CECAS Data Requests

The EC Delivery team will begin work next week (March 23rd - 27th) on existing data requests that affect the April 1 child count. Due to the high number of requests currently in the queue, we ask that users are extremely careful when entering data into CECAS. Please do not resend any request that is already filed as this will delay the process of completing the existing requests.

We will notify users via email when their data requests have been completed. Due to the complexity of the data request correction process, there will only be one support representative availible to take calls during the week of March 23rd - 27th. Please be patient as we work through these issues. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

3/13/2009 - NCWISE ID in CECAS

NCDPI has produced a match file of CECAS Exceptional Children Data with NCWISE IDs. NCDPI will populate the NCWISE ID in CECAS today 3/13/2009. We sent your Testing Coordinator a file containing non-matched students. EC Directors should contact the LEA Testing Coordinator to retrieve this file.

NCDPI will not populate non-matched records with the NCWISE ID. CECAS personnel must enter the NCWISE ID in CECAS for all non-matched students that are still in the LEA and that have not exited. The list of non-matched students may contain students no longer in the LEA. LEAs are not responsible for correcting non-matched IDs for exited records or students no longer in the LEA. When the NCWISE ID is populated in CECAS, the ID will also be copied into the Local ID field in CECAS. This will allow users to perform searches in CECAS using the NCWISE ID. LEAs are required to continually keep the demographics for each student record in CECAS matching NCWISE.

If you have any questions about the population of NCWISE IDs in CECAS or about how to obtain the non-matched file for your LEA, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us. or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

3/11/2009 - April 2009 Child Count Submission Schedule

The April 2009 child count for children with disabilities will be transmitted through CECAS based on the submission dates as listed in the table below. Please follow the posted schedule for your LEA. 3rd party submissions must submit complete files with all required elements for each record. Incomplete 3rd party files will be deleted.

The EC Delivery Team has created a document for LEAs and Charter schools to assist in verifying count data. EC Directors and Data Managers are encouraged to use this during the child count process. There is one document for the September Exit Count and one document for the Active counts in December and April. We have posted them on the Downloads tab under the Periodic Count section.

The Child Count verification form for LEAs or Charters whose EC Director does not submit the Child Count can also be accessed from the Downloads page of the CECAS Communications web site at www.nccecas.org. Please direct all inquires to the CECAS Support Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

Submission Schedule
LEA Submission Date
Wake 4/1/2009
New Hanover 4/1/2009
Charlotte Mecklenburg 4/2/2009
Forsyth 4/2/2009
Union County 4/3/2009
All other LEAs and Charter Schools 4/3/2009 through 4/10/2009
Deadline for Certification Status 4/17/2009

3/11/2009 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

3/10/2009 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports.
This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

3/6/2009 - Child Count Reminder Document

The EC Delivery Team has created a document for LEAs and Charter schools to assist in verifying count data. EC Directors and Data Managers are encouraged to use this during the child count process. There is one document for the September Exit Count and one document for the Active counts in December and April. We have posted them on the Downloads tab under the Periodic Count section. If you have any questions about these documents or any other CECAS issue please feel free to contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us. or (919) 807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

2/20/2009 - Important Dates Calendar

The EC Delivery Team has created a calendar to keep track of important data due dates during the year. Please keep in mind that this calendar may not include ALL required data elements. This will be a living document and may be changed at any time to comply with changes submitted by the EC Division. You may access this calendar on the CECAS Communication Site at www.nccecas.org on the Downloads tab under the General Reference and Miscellaneous section. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/27/2009 - Reminder - CECAS Production/Training Down at 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 2009

The CECAS production site and the CECAS Training site will be down at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009 and become available with the new DEC3 form on Monday, March 2, 2009. Please be advised that all DEC3s that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release will be deleted. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms attached to the DEC3. For questions regarding the release of the CECAS new DEC3 form, please feel free to contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/20/2009 - Important Dates Calendar

The EC Delivery Team has created a calendar to keep track of important data due dates during the year. Please keep in mind that this calendar may not include ALL required data elements. This will be a living document and may be changed at any time to comply with changes submitted by the EC Division. You may access this calendar on the CECAS Communication Site at www.nccecas.org on the Downloads tab under the General Reference and Miscellaneous section. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/19/2009 - New DEC3 Release Update

The new DEC3 form is scheduled to be released to the CECAS production site on February 27, 2009. The CECAS production site and the CECAS Training site will be down at close of business on Friday, February 27, 2009 and become available with the new DEC3 form on Monday, March 2, 2009. Please be advised that all DEC3s that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release will be deleted. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms attached to the DEC3. For questions regarding the release of the CECAS new DEC3 form, please feel free to contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/16/2009 - Connectivity Issues Repaired

Issues involving connectivity to CECAS servers have been repaired. If you continue to experience problems, please contact the help desk at 919-807-4357 and press option 2 for CECAS.

2/16/2008 - CECAS Production Site

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

02/11/09 - Increased Usage of GoToMeeting for Training

With the recent budget cuts and travel restrictions, more training sessions will now be available via GoToMeeting. If you are unfamiliar with the GoToMeeting application, please take a moment to review the basic instructions on how to login to a GoToMeeting session.

01/12/09 - EC Delivery Team Training Staff Updates

The EC Delivery Team would like to congratulate Lisa Miller on the delivery of her new baby, Jonah David Miller. Jonah was born on December 29th at 5:52 pm. He came in at 15.4 inches and weighing 3.3 pounds. Both mother and son are progressing well.

The EC Delivery Team would also like to welcome Jennifer Sims as the new regional trainer for regions 4 and 5. Jennifer comes to the team from Halifax County where she served as the Transition Coordinator and CECAS Contact.

As a result of Lisa's going on maternity leave and Jennifer's orientation status, please recognize the following training assignments:

Ilona Ketting will temporarily serve as the regional trainer for regions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Dr. Khalilah O'Farrow-Boulware will temporarily serve as the regional trainer for regions 5, 6, 7 and 8.

You will be notified when Lisa is back and Jennifer is ready to take over regions 4 and 5. Thank you for your cooperation on these temporary assignments.

12/17/2008 - Periodic Child Count End Date Extended

Due to problems with the CECAS system during the child count process, we have decided to extend the count period end date. All certifications are to be completed by close of business December 19, 2008. You may re-submit as often as you need during this time period.

If your LEA has not certified the child count please use the following instructions:

1. Exited Record Errors
CECAS performs an exit count at the same time it does an active count. In December and April, DPI uses only the active count data.
Any errors you receive in exited data can be resolved from inside the submission by using the following steps:

Resolve all active record errors in the student record and re-submit.
Click the "Move to Active, Exited, or Delete Student" link on your "Submission Processing Work Box" screen.
Search for and select the exited record.
Select the radio button next to the record name.
Click the Delete button.
Click the YES button in the pop-up window.
After all steps are completed, wait for the system to process the records to Validation Completed and then Certify. Do not re-submit.

2. Child Count Must be Uncertified To Make Corrections.
Some LEAs have corrected records on the DEC 2008 Child Count using the Child Count Reduction Correction Screen. If this screen is used to make corrections before the count is closed, LEAs could be penalized for submitting incorrect information.
All error corrections should be made in the Validation Completed status under Move to Active, Exit or Delete Student until the count is closed to avoid any penalties for your LEA.

3. To Certify the Count:
The EC Director must sign into CECAS.
Open Data Exchange folder, Open the Periodic Count folder, Click on Periodic Count Submissions.
On the Periodic Count Submissions page, drop down the Count Period field. Select December 2008 Periodic Child Count. Do not select a file type.
Click Search.
The Certify button will appear next to the Search button.
Click Certify.
Print this page for your records.

* If the EC Director is not the User who submitted the child count, please go to the Downloads Page of http://www.nccecas.org/ and print the December 1, 2008 Verification Form . Complete and mail it to the address specified on the form. If you have any questions, please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/16/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

12/16/2008 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports.
This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

12/16/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/16/2008 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/15/2008 - Dtool and Forms Up and Running

The issues reported earlier with DTool and EC Forms have been corrected. You may need to clear your cache in order see the correction. Please use the following steps to clear your internet cache.
From your browser window:
Click on Tools
Internet Options
On the first tab labeled General click on Delete Cookies
Click ok
When the hour glass disappears click Delete Files
Check the box for offline content
Click ok
When the hour glass disappears
Close the box and the browser window
You may then open a new browser and log back into CECAS. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/15/2008 - New Trainer to Join the EC Delivery Team

Hello Everyone:

It gives me great pleasure to announce that a new regional trainer has been selected for the vacancy on our team. Jennifer Sims has accepted the offer for the position of Regional Trainer assigned to regions 4 and 5. Her services in this position will begin on January 5, 2009.

Jennifer has worked in Education for 20 years, 12 of which were in Special Education. Currently she works for Halifax County as the Transition Coordinator for Exceptional Children, Data Manager and CECAS Contact. In addition to training on the CECAS application, Jennifer trains on the development of IEPs and trained on SIMS. It has been a long time coming, but we believe that the experience and expertise she brings to the team is certainly worth the wait. We look forward to having her on board.

12/15/2008 - Closed/Verified DEC4 EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening Closed/Verified DEC4 EC forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/11/2008 - Map of New Regions - In correspondence with the EC Delivery Team regional training staff assignments we have posted the 8 region map on the Miscellaneous section of Training Documents page under Training tab.

12/10/2008 - Dtool Unavailable

Dtool is unavailable due to an issue that must be corrected by the Dtool Vendor. We expect this issue to be corrected early next week. If you have any questions about this or any other issue please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your trainer, please contact the help desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us. or call 919-807-4357 and press option 2.

12/9/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

12/9/2008 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports.
Please do not close verify any forms while this issue is being fixed as it may result in an error on the PDF.
This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

12/9/2008 - On December 1, 2008 the EC Delivery Team regional training staff assignments adopted the 8 region breakdown. As a 4th trainer is not in place as of yet, a temporary assignment is listed below:

Region 1 - Ilona Ketting
Region 2 - Khalilah O'Farrow-Boulware
Region 3 - Ilona Ketting
Region 4 - Khalilah O'Farrow-Boulware
Region 5 - Lisa Miller
Region 6 - Lisa Miller
Region 7 - Khalilah O'Farrow-Boulware
Region 8 - Lisa Miller

12/9/2008 - Part C to B delay reasons:

CECAS has revised the Part C to B delay reasons to correspond to the sections of the Indicator 12 spreadsheet. These are the reasons that were discussed at the CECAS contacts workshop in November. If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer and if they are not available, you may contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/5/2008 - Reminders about Child Count Corrections:

All LEAs are to have completed an initial submission by close of business on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. All certifications are to be completed by close of business December 17, 2008. You may re-submit as often as you need during this time period.

1. Exited Record Errors
CECAS performs an exit count at the same time it does an active count. In December and April, DPI uses only the active count data.
Any errors you receive in exited data can be resolved from inside the submission by using the following steps:

Resolve all active record errors in the student record and re-submit.
Click the "Move to Active, Exited, or Delete Student" link on your "Submission Processing Work Box" screen.
Search for and select the exited record.
Select the radio button next to the record name.
Click the Delete button.
Click the YES button in the pop-up window.
After all steps are completed, wait for the system to process the records to Validation Completed and then Certify. Do not re-submit.

2. Child Count Must be Uncertified To Make Corrections.
Some LEAs have corrected records on the DEC 2008 Child Count using the Child Count Reduction Correction Screen. If this screen is used to make corrections before the count is closed, LEAs could be penalized for submitting incorrect information.
All error corrections should be made in the Validation Completed status under Move to Active, Exit or Delete Student until the count is closed to avoid any penalties for your LEA.

3. To Certify the Count:
The EC Director must sign into CECAS.
Open Data Exchange folder, Open the Periodic Count folder, Click on Periodic Count Submissions.
On the Periodic Count Submissions page, drop down the Count Period field. Select December 2008 Periodic Child Count. Do not select a file type.
Click Search.
The Certify button will appear next to the Search button.
Click Certify.
Print this page for your records.

* If the EC Director is not the User who submitted the child count, please go to the Downloads Page of http://www.nccecas.org/ and print the December 1, 2008 Verification Form. Complete and mail it to the address specified on the form. If you have any questions, please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/4/2008 - Count Problems Resolved

The problems with count submission being rejected has been corrected. LEAs should continue to work on their Periodic Child Count until they are in Certified status. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/3/2008 - Problems With Child Count Submission

Users are reporting problems with Periodic Count Submissions being rejected because of an incorrect the Active Student Count. We have reported this issue to our vendor and are working to correct it. LEAs may submit the child count with Actual Student Count and then resubmit when the issue is corrected.

12/3/2008 - CECAS DEC4 Hands-on Training Opportunity

Due to the overwhelming response to the full day hands-on training on the new DEC4 in CECAS, two additional training sessions will be offered on Monday, December 8 and Monday, December 15, 2008. Training begins a 9 am and ends at 4 pm.
You must register by Friday, December 5 to attend. To register, please contact Ilona Ketting at iketting@dpi.state.nc.us.

12/2/2008 - December 1, 2008 Child Count Verification Form

The Special Education Child Count verification form (for those LEAs whose EC Director does not actually do the CECAS submission) is available in the "Memorandums and Official Communications" of the Downloads Tab on the CECAS Information Site. Click Here. (http://www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads/Dec 1, 2008 Child Count with disabilities Verification Form.doc) Please note that EC Directors will now be mailing this form to the EC Delivery Team. If you have any questions please contact CECAS Support at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/25/2008 - Data Request for December 1 Child Count

Data requests for the December 1 Child Count will not be completed. If you have a pending data request do the following as a work around:
Create a duplicate record - Use only the most current information and required fields (demographics, Special ED, and Plan).
Enter the word "Duplicate" into the Local Id Field on the Demographics screen.
This will be the record which is included in the December 1 Child Count. When data requests resume, the original record that is the subject of a pending data request will be corrected according to the request. When you are notified that the original record has been corrected, you may Exit the duplicate record using Exit Reason "Moved" and the Exit Date of 12/15/2008.

We deeply regret this inconvenience. We understand you may not be able to submit your Child Count on the scheduled date and we will be flexible with the submission deadline for LEAs and Charter Schools affected by pending data requests. The Certification deadline will remain December 18, 2008.

10/29/2008 - Closed/Verified DEC4 EC Forms Not Opening

11/24/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/24/2008 - Training Update

Due to the overwhelming response to the full day hands-on training on the new DEC4 in CECAS, two additional training sessions will be offered on Monday, December 8 and Monday, December 15. Training begins a 9 am and ends at 4 pm. You must register to attend. If you are interested in attending a session, please contact Ilona Ketting at iketting@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/24/2008 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/21/2008 - New DEC4 error-handling behavior

Due to problems encountered recently in previewing some closed/verified DEC4s, the CECAS vendor has changed the way errors are handled when close/verifying DEC4s. If a problem is encountered when close/verifying a DEC4 you will receive the message: "Processing Error Occurred - Please contact CECAS Support". If this message is encountered, the DEC4 will remain in Meeting status. Please notify the helpdesk and the vendor will be contacted to correct the problem. After the problem has been corrected, you will be able to close/verify the DEC4.

In addition, any closed/verified DEC4s that were previously "lost" due to these problems should now be available for viewing.

11/21/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

11/20/2008 - CECAS Production Site

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are also experiencing problems with server errors and viewing EC forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/20/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/20/2008 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

11/20/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

11/20/2008 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports.
Please do not close verify any forms while this issue is being fixed as it may result in an error on the PDF.
This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

11/19/2008 - DPI Customer Satisfaction Survey

Technology Services is conducting our 6 month survey for your feedback so we can serve you better. If you use one or more of the products or services from the Technology Services Area, please complete the appropriate online survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228GKR5UJ2G. The information you provide will be useful in helping Technology Services provide/improve services and programs to meet your needs and the needs of North Carolina Educators who use our resources and services. All responses will remain confidential. Providing your name and contact information is optional. Please complete the online survey that apply to you no later than December 5, 2008. The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
We need your help to serve you better!

11/14/2008 - Clarification: Checking to see if you have DTool Permissions

For those of you who will attend the CECAS Contacts' Workshop 2008 during the 58th Conference on EC, you will need to have DTool permissions in order to participate in the DTool portion of the training. Otherwise, you'll have to watch the presenter's demonstration. Several of you are unsure of whether or not you have these permissions. To check to see if you have DTool permissions, follow these steps in CECAS:

1. Open the Reports folder.
2. Click the DTool link.
3. Make sure that you are able to see the DTool Web Client Window open with OSEP cubes in view.
4. If you are unable to open DTool or if you get an error message, please send your user id to CECAS Support.

If you find that you do not have DTool permissions, you cannot give yourself DTool permissions. Another CECAS user with the appropriate role/permissions will have to give you these permissions. Again, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact CECAS Support at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us. Thanks.

11/10/2008 - December 2008 Periodic Child Count Submission Schedule

Per the Schedule for December Periodic Child Count memo from Mary Watson dated October 28, 2008, the December 2008 child count for children with disabilities will be transmitted through CECAS based on the submission dates as listed in the table below.

Follow this link to view the memo. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

Submission Schedule
LEA Submission Date
Wake 12/1/2008
Guilford 12/1/2008
Charlotte Mecklenburg 12/2/2008
Forsyth
Union
12/2/2008
12/2/2008
Initial Submission for all other LEAs and Charter Schools 12/3/2008 through 12/10/2008
Deadline for Certification Status 12/17/2008

11/4/2008 - Reminder about Private Student Data Transmitted Via Email

Please remember that it is against state law to transmit personal identifying information and other confidential information, such as social security numbers, through email to external email addresses. This is in violation of State Government Statute 132-10.1 (b)(5). This statue states that an agency of the State or its political subdivisions or any agent or employee of a government agency shall not intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the general public an individual's social security number or other identifying information.

Please be mindful of this violation when emailing questions / comments about a student record from the CECAS application. This includes sending screen shots in your attachments. Only refer to the student record by indicating the UID# assigned to the student record. The EC Delivery Team appreciates your immediate attention to this very important matter.

11/3/2008 - Closed/Verified DEC4 EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening Closed/Verified DEC4 EC forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/31/2008 - Production Site EC Forms issue has been fixed

Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue reported earlier today has been fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/31/2008 - Closed/Verified DEC4 EC Forms Not Opening (Newest Version)

Currently users are reporting problems opening Closed/Verified DEC4 EC forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/31/2008 - Production Site Up

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/31/2008 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

Currently users are reporting problems opening Closed/Verified DEC4 EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/24/2008 - Regional Training Assignments (based on 8 regions)

Beginning December 1, 2008, the EC Delivery Team regional training staff assignments will adopt the 8 region breakdown. Please see the following assignments:

Regions 1 and 3 - Ilona Ketting

Regions 2 and 7 - Khalilah O'Farrow

Regions 4 and 5 To Be Determined

Regions 6 and 8 - Lisa Miller

Please continue to contact and communicate with your current regional trainer until this change occurs. The EC Delivery Team plans to have a regional trainer in place for Regions 4 and 5 prior December 1, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact your current regional trainer.

10/24/08 - Data Encryption

Data encryption is a secure process for keeping sensitive and confidential information private. For more information about data encryption, please click here. Please contact Justin Edwards at (336) 751-2491 (ext. 4114) or edwardsj@davie.k12.nc.us with any questions that you might have.

10/20/2008 - CECAS Support email is working again

The problems with the CECAS Suporrt email address have been corrected. Users may contact support via phone at 919-807-4357 option 2 or via email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/17/2008 - DPI Email Box is down for maintenance

On Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 3:00 pm the e-mail system will be taken offline and will remain offline until Sunday night at 6:00 pm. This service disruption will include all ability to recieve or send email at all during this time. For all CECAS issues, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2.

10/16/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

10/16/2008 - Production Data not Showing on Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports. This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS.

10/16/2008 - Support Email Box is not working

Currently, users are reporting problems with emailing the CECAS Support desk (cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.). We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2.

10/9/2008 - New CECAS Exit Codes

CECAS has added two new exit codes to assist you in documenting special exiting situations. The code "Consent Revoked" is for the purpose of exiting a student who is still eligible for special education but is being removed because the parent or adult student revoked consent for placement. The code "Comparable Services" is for the purpose of exiting and reentering a student who was placed in active status for the child count using a work around. Additional information about these two situations can be found in the Group II FAQs (#4 and #15) on the CECAS Information website at http://www.nccecas.org/faqs/faq.html

If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/6/2008 - CECAS Training Servers Offline Tonight at 7:00 PM

The CECAS training servers will be taken offline for approximately 30 minutes this evening beginning at 7 PM to perform required maintenance. Users will not be able to log in to Training while the servers are offline. Additionally, if a user is already logged into the application, data entry will not be saved. If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/6/2008 - Training and Production Offline for Release

The CECAS Training site will be offline beginning Thursday, 10/9/2008 for the release of the new DEC4 and will come back up Monday morning, 10/13/2008.

The CECAS Production site will be offline beginning Friday, 10/10/2008, from 5:00 PM until Monday morning, 10/13/2008, for the release of the new DEC4. LEA Leadership Teams have already received some training on the form. Contact your LEA CECAS Data Manager for instructions on how to use the new form.

We apologize for the shortened notice on the release of the new DEC4 however due to extended delays on the form we feel that it is important to go ahead with the release. Please make sure your LEA is prepared for the following:

All DEC4s that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release will be deleted. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms attached to the DEC4 however, non-closed/verified related forms to the DEC4 will be deleted.

If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

10/2/2008 - Data Requests

At this time, all data requests for changes to data in CECAS have been suspended. The EC Delivery Team is working diligently to resolve this issue. We will inform you when data request processing resumes. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

10/1/2008 - Upcoming DEC 4 Release

The new DEC4 IEP form is projected to be released to the CECAS production site in October 2008. We will inform you of the exact schedule for the release by the end of next week, but please consider this communication to be your 10 business days notice of the deletion of all DEC4s that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms attached to the DEC4. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

09/30/08 - Online Registration for the Upcoming CECAS Contacts' Workshop 2008

Online registration for the CECAS Contacts' Workshop 2008 is now available for CECAS Contacts across the state. Online registration is required for any CECAS Contact who plans to attend the 1-Day workshop. This workshop is designed only for CECAS Contacts, and only one person per LEA. Please register online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ec/conference/2008/ by October 19th for the fee of $35.00. After that date, the late registration fee is $60.00.

CECAS Contacts from the Central, Northeast and Southeast regions are scheduled to attend the CECAS Contacts' Workshop 2008 on November 17th. CECAS Contacts from the Western, Northwest and Southwest regions are scheduled to attend on November 18th. Please ensure to register for your assigned date. We look forward to seeing you there!

9/29/2008 - Dtool and Forms Up and Running

The issues reported earlier with DTool and EC Forms have been corrected. Please use the following steps to clear your internet cache. From your browser window:
Click on Tools
Internet Options
On the first tab labeled General click on Delete Cookies
Click ok
When the hour glass disappears click Delete Files
Check the box for offline content
Click ok
When the hour glass disappears
Close the box and the browser window
You may then open a new browser and log back into CECAS. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/29/2008 - PDF EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/26/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue has been fixed

Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue has been fixed. If you have other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/24/2008 - PDF EC Forms Not Opening

Currently users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other CECAS issue, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/18/2008 - End of Year Child Count Submission

The September Exit count is well under way and most LEAs and Charter Schools have completed an initial submission. As a reminder, we are posting some answers to common questions about completing the Exit count. LEAs who have certified the Child Count do not need to complete the steps below.

Tech Manual Data Errors on students under 14 years of age:
Click the "Move to Active, Exited, or Delete Student" link on your "Submission Processing Work Box" screen. Search for and select the exited record.
Select the radio button next to the record name.
Click the Delete button.
Click the YES button in the pop-up window. After all steps are completed, wait for the system to process the records to Validation Completed and then Certify. Do not re-submit.

To Certify the Count:
The EC Director must sign into CECAS.
Open Data Exchange folder, Open the Periodic Count folder, Click on Periodic Count Submissions.
On the Periodic Count Submissions page, drop down the Count period field. Select December 2007 Periodic Child Count. Do not select a file type.
Click Search.
The Certify button will appear next to the Search button.
Click Certify.
Print the next page for your records.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/9/2008 - Production Site Slowness

Currently, users are reporting problems with slowness on the site. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/8/2008 - Training Server Move/New DEC4

The dates for the relocation of the CECAS training servers have been set for the period 9/20/2008 through 9/26/2008. This move will re-establish the current Disaster Recovery Site in a state-owned data center. During this move the training site will not be available. The production site will not be affected. Please plan CECAS training in your LEA accordingly to accommodate the training servers move.

The EC Delivery team is working diligently to release the new DEC4 form to the CECAS production site. Based upon the need for the vendor to correct defects discovered by the EC Delivery Team in their acceptance testing of the new release, the intended release date of September 12, 2008 is being delayed until further notice. As soon as a new date of release is determined, it will be published on the CECAS Communications site and distributed through the list serv.

At this time, existing DEC4s with a status of Draft, Meeting or Paused will not be deleted. LEAs will be given 10 business days advance notice before releasing any changes or deleting any current forms.

If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

9/5/2008 - End of Year Child Count Verification Form

The End of Year Special Education Child Count verification form (for those LEAs whose EC Director does not actually do the CECAS submission) is available in the "Memorandums and Official Communications" of the Downloads Tab on the CECAS Information Site. Click Here. Please note that EC Directors will now be mailing this form to the EC Delivery Team. If you have any questions please contact CECAS Support at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

8/27/2008 - Training Update

Due to the overwhelming requests for additional CECAS Full-Day training sessions, the EC Delivery Team is offering another training session on Preparing for the Periodic Child Count and Electronic EC Forms. An attempt to host the training sessions on back-to-back dates was made, however, the resources were not available. Please see the details below:

Preparing for the Periodic Child Count

September 10, 2008

9am - 3pm

NCDPI, 5th floor computer lab (Room 564), Raleigh, NC

Trainer: Khalilah O'Farrow, kofarrow@dpi.state.nc.us

Registration Deadline: September 5, 2008

Electronic EC Forms

September 15, 2008

9am - 3pm

NCDPI, 5th floor computer lab (Room 564), Raleigh, NC

Trainer: Ilona Ketting, iketting@dpi.state.nc.us

Registration Deadline: September 10, 2008

Registration with the assigned trainer is mandatory, and please be mindful of the registration deadline date for each session. These opportunities will go quickly, so don't hesitate to register as soon as possible.

8/25/2008 - Data Request Issues

DPI is receiving a large number of data requests from LEAs for changes that are not relevant to current student records. Because of changes to fields and forms within the CECAS system, users must clearly describe each change that is being requested in the data request form. Unclear data requests will be returned to the LEA without being completed.
Before sending a data request, LEAs should consider whether or not the change is necessary for the current reporting year. Please do not send requests for deletes or changes that are unnecessary for compliance and/or state and federal reporting purposes.
Reminders:

The EC Delivery team is working closely with the vendor to provide a tool that allows data corrections to be made at the State and LEA level; however, it may be quite some time until this feature is available to use. Please ensure that users are checking over EC Forms, screens and dates very carefully before clicking save. If you have any questions, please contact your regional trainer if available, or the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

8/4/2008 - September 2008 Periodic Count - Submission Schedule

Per the memo sent from Mary Watson dated July 30, 2008, the September 2008 Periodic Count to capture End of Year Reporting data on students "Exiting" special education will be collected from the Comprehensive Exceptional Children Accountability System (CECAS). The "Exiting" data is based on the July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 fiscal year. The submission schedule is as follows:

Submission Schedule
LEA Submission Date
Wake County 09/11/2008
Charlotte-Mecklenburg 09/11/2008
Guilford County 09/12/2008
Forsyth County 09/12/2008
Initial Submission from all other LEAs and all Charter Schools 09/15/2008 through 09/19/2008
Deadline for Certification Status 9/26/2008

All submissions must be finalized by September 26, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

8/11/2008 - Modified Regional Training Assignments as of August 11,2008

The EC Delivery Team is saddened to announce the resignation of Heather Jones effective August 11, 2008. Heather has served as Regional Trainer for several of our regions and has truly been a great asset to the EC Delivery Team. As the team will miss her greatly, many well wishes go out to her.

Please see the regional trainer assignments indicated below:

Ilona Ketting - Northeast Region and Central Region

iketting@dpi.state.nc.us- 919-779-4138

Khalilah OFarrow - Southeast Region and Southwest Region

kofarrow@dpi.state.nc.us- 704-596-0842

Lisa Miller - Western Region and Northwest Region

lmiller@dpi.state.nc.us- 336-753-1328

The EC Delivery Team really appreciates your cooperation with these changes listed above. Should you have any questions, please contact Pat Smith, Training Coordinator, or any of the trainers at your convenience.

8/11/2008 - Upcoming PRC 29 End-of-Year SIF Data

As a reminder, the PRC 29 End-of-Year SIF data is due to be documented in CECAS on August 15, 2008. Some users have not received math and reading test scores that need to be documented in the SIF Form by August 15. A solution to this situation is to select the Not Tested option, make a comment in the Comments field indicating that you are waiting for the test results that will not be available until Fall 2008, and then save the SIF Form. Please ensure to go back and update the student records with the correct scores once your receive them, and save the SIF Form again.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot reach your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

8/1/2008 - Record Keeping for Indicator 11 and 12 Reporting 2008-2009 SY

Records found Not Eligible at any point in the referral process MUST remain in the status of No EC Services. Schools must not use Record Closure to close these records. Record Closure takes the record out of the End of Year Indicator 11 and 12 Reporting.

Leave all records found Not Eligible in the status of No EC Services. If LEAs and Charter Schools have mistakenly used Record Closure on records that were found Not Eligible after 7/1/2008, a data request must be submitted to CECAS Support for correction. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact your Regional Trainer. If you cannot each your Regional Trainer, contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

7/29/2008 - Save The Date

58th Conference on Exceptional Children

Creating Success
One Child at a Time

November 17 - 19, 2008
Koury Convention Center
Greensboro, NC

Registration will be online.

7/24/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

7/24/2008 - Production Site Down

Users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS.We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

7/18/2008 - New Release to CECAS

Per the memo sent from Mary Watson dated July 16, 2008, ECS will release into CECAS the new DEC 4 IEP Form. Both the CECAS training site and the production site will be unavailable beginning at noon on Friday, September 12, until 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15, while the changes are being implemented. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

7/8/2008 - CECAS Production and Training Sites Offline at 5:30 pm Today

We have just been informed that at 7:00 PM this evening ITS will be executing an emergency change on its physical infrastructure at the Raleigh ITS Data Center. This change is critical and is being implemented to mitigate the potential risk of an unplanned total power outage to the Data Center. Implementing this change will require that all application servers as well as the mainframe be brought down. We are advising that CECAS production and training sites will shutdown by 5:30 PM today. We regret any inconvenience this last minute notice might cause, but it is unavoidable. We will notify here and via listserv when the sites are back up.

6/16/2008 - Conditions and Validations Document for Periodic Child Count Submissions

An updated Conditions and Validations Document has been posted on the Downloads page of the CECAS Communications website in the General Reference and Miscellaneous section. There are no recent changes to the document that are different from the April 2008 Periodic Child Count. It reflects the changes to IsAIG and the changes to the Exceptionality Codes made earlier in the year as well as the .XML file layout for 3rd Party Users. If you have any questions, please contact the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

06/16/2008 - Modified Regional Training Assignments as of June 16 and July 1

The EC Delivery Team training staff will undergo several changes in the very near future. As of June 16, 2008 Valencia Davis has accepted a position focusing primarily on EC Grants. Although Valencia will be greatly missed as a Regional Trainer, the EC Delivery Team is pleased to announce that Ilona Ketting has accepted the position. Ilona was formally a regional trainer at the initiation of the CECAS project and has successfully been a member of Help Desk support, therefore she will transition into the position with ease.

As of July 1, 2008, Lisa Miller will be assigned the Western region and half of the Northwest region. Lisa joined the EC Delivery Team on March 7, 2008 as a Regional Trainer. She is formally a trainer from the NCWISE project.

Please see the details of the upcoming regional assignment schedules indicated below:

From June 16, 2008 until July 1, 2008

Western Region - Khalilah O'Farrow
Northwest Region - Khalilah O'Farrow
Southwest Region - Heather Jones
Southeast Region - Heather Jones
Northeast Region - Ilona Ketting
Central Region - Ilona Ketting

As of July 1, 2008 moving forward

Western Region - Lisa Miller
Northwest Region - Lisa Miller (Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Hickory City, Newton Conover City, Watauga and Wilkes)
Northwest Region - Khalilah O'Farrow (Davidson, Davie, Elkin City, Forsyth, Iredell-Statesville, Lexington City, Mooresville City, Mt. Airy City, Stokes, Surry, Thomasville City and Yadkin)
Southwest Region - Khalilah O'Farrow
Southeast Region - Heather Jones
Central Region - Heather Jones (Asheboro City, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Chatham, Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Health and Human Services and Dept. of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, Durham, Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash-Rocky Mount, Randolph, Wake and Wilson)
Central Region - Ilona Ketting (Alamance-Burlington, Caswell, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Vance and Warren)
Northeast Region - Ilona Ketting

The EC Delivery Team really appreciates your cooperation with these changes listed above. Should you have any questions, please contact Pat Smith, Training Coordinator, or any of the trainers at your convenience.

6/13/2008 - Initial Placements for Students Referred Prior to Age 3

Do not use the current DEC4 in CECAS for students who are transitioning from Part C to Part B or for students referred prior to their third birthday. In order to ensure data accuracy for Indicator 12 reporting purposes, the user must enter a Plan with the purpose of Initial Part C to B instead of the CECAS DEC4. This process will be necessary only until the new DEC4 with updated purposes is implemented in CECAS.

6/11/2008 - Production Site EC Forms issue has been fixed

Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue reported earlier today has been fixed. If you have any other CECAS issues, please contact your regional trainer.

6/9/2008 - PDF EC Forms Not Opening

Currently, users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact your regional trainer.

6/6/2008 - CECAS Application Support Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11

Due to the upcoming OSEP conference in Washington, DC, several members of the EC Delivery Team, including the Help Desk support, will be out of the office. The EC Delivery Team requests that all CECAS users utilize the resources indicated below for CECAS application support on June 9, 10 and 11 (next week). Please request support in this sequential order as you would normally:
1. Utilize training materials and online help.
2. Contact assigned CECAS Contact.
3. Contact assigned Regional CECAS Trainer.

6/5/2008 - Release of the New Web DEC4

The new DEC4 is scheduled to be released before the beginning of the new 2008-2009 school year. Please be advised that all DEC4s that are in Draft, Meeting or Paused status at the time of the release will be deleted. The deletion of the open forms will not affect Closed/Verified forms attached to the DEC4. Only DEC4s that are not in Closed/Verified status will be deleted during this release. Exact release dates will come as soon as they are made available from the EC Delivery team and the vendor. The other EC forms will be released at a later date.

Please direct questions regarding the release of the new DEC4 form, first to your Regional CECAS Trainer and then to the EC Help Desk. Please feel free to contact the Help Desk at 919-807-4357 or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/30/2008 - Data Entered in Plans is Now Saving Correctly

The issue reported earlier today with the data being visible in the plans screen is now fixed. If you still experience this issue or to report any other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/30/2008 - Data Entered in Plans is Not Saving

Users have reported issues with the Plans Screen not saving data as well as DEC 4 data not being visible on the Plans Screen. We have reported this issue to the vendor and are working to correct it and will post when the issue is fixed. To report all other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/28/2008 - Updated Data Request Form

An updated Data Request Form has been posted on the Downloads page of the CECAS Communications website in the General Reference and Miscellaneous section. It reflects the changes to Statuses. Please begin using this revised Data Request Form and destroy all versions of the old form. If you have any questions, please contact the CECAS Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/14/2008 - Referral Received by School date must be entered before closing the DEC1

Please be notified that users must manually enter the Referral Received by School date on the Special Ed Screen in CECAS before closing the DEC1 EC Form. If this date is not entered before closing the DEC1, users will need to send a data request to delete the closed/verified DEC1 and re-enter the form after saving the Referral Received by School date.

If you have any questions regarding this notice or any CECAS issue please email the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/12/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

05/09/2008 - CECAS Group II Training Documentation has been Posted

The CECAS Group II training materials have been posted to the Training Downloads. Please take advantage of using these materials for a better understanding of the most current CECAS enhancements and/or for any additional training that you may host.

05/08/2008 - CECAS Group II Enhancements Release Notes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The CECAS Group II Enhancements Release Notes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have now been posted to the CECAS Communication site. The Release Notes are located in the System Updates section and the FAQs are located in the FAQs section of the website. Please take advantage of these materials for a better experience of using the most current CECAS enhancements.

05/05/2008 - DPI Customer Satisfaction Survey

Technology Services is conducting our 6 month survey for your feedback so we can serve you better. If you use one or more of the products or services from the Technology Services Area, please complete the appropriate online survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227RW97ZK7G. The information you provide will be useful in helping Technology Services provide/improve services and programs to meet your needs and the needs of North Carolina Educators who use our resources and services. All responses will remain confidential. Providing your name and contact information is optional. Please complete the online survey that apply to you no later than May 16, 2008. The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
We need your help to serve you better!

5/5/2008 - Production Site Offline Friday, May 9, 2008 at 12 Noon

The CECAS Production site will be offline beginning Friday, 5/9/2008, from 12 noon until Monday morning, 5/12/2008, for the scheduled release of the Group 2 enhancements to the Special Ed screen. LEA Leadership Teams have already received training on the new enhancements. Contact your LEA CECAS Data Manager for instructions on how to use the new screen.
LEA Leadership Teams need to contact their assigned trainer with inquiries about training issues with the new screen. Please do not contact CECAS Support about this issue. For all other requests or technical issues, please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/5/2008 - EC Forms Drop List Corrected

The issue reported earlier today with the empty Form Name drop list is now corrected. If you still experience this issue or to report all other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

5/5/2008 - EC Forms Drop List Empty

Currently users are reporting no form names in the Form Name drop list when creating new forms. We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. To report all other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/24/2008 - Training Site Offline Friday at 12 Noon

The CECAS Training site will be offline beginning Friday, 4/25/2008, from approximately 12 noon until Monday morning, 4/28/2008, for the scheduled release of the Group 2 enhancements to the Special Ed screen. Please contact your LEA CECAS Data Manager for instructions on how to use the new screen. LEA Leadership Teams should contact their assigned trainer with inquiries about receiving training on the new enhancements. Please do not contact CECAS Support about this issue.

For all other requests or technical issues, please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/22/2008 - Requesting Behavioral Support Services PRC 29 Funds for 2008-2009

It is time for the annual budget request process to access Funds (PRC 29) for the 2008-2009 school year. As many of you may know, a special budget provision in the 1999 Appropriation Act modified the use of these state dollars to allow expenditure of these funds to provide services to "(i) children with special needs who were identified as members of the Willie M. class at the time of dissolution of the class, and (ii) other children with special needs." This provision provides the use of these funds for services for children with disabilities who have significant behavioral and emotional needs in the public schools.

Information for each student for whom services are being requested must be completed on CECAS. All students who will be served by the PRC 29 funds must be entered into CECAS. Sampling of students is no longer allowed. If the student already has PRC 29 information in CECAS, only the PRC List screen needs to be completed with a PRC 29 Eligibility of "Request." If the student does not have PRC 29 information in CECAS, complete the PRC 29 List screen with a PRC 29 Eligibility of "Request" and complete a Baseline Student Information Form. Copies of IEPs are not required.

It is essential that you begin planning soon for submission of your requests prior to the May 1st deadline. All funding documents and information are posted on the DPI web page under the Behavioral Support Services Section of the Exceptional Children Division. Access the "funding" link for specific funding documents and the "intervention" link for Student Information Forms and information. Please contact Diann Irwin (919/807-3298) or your regional Behavioral Support Section consultant if you have questions regarding these matters. Mail your original request to Diann Irwin at 6356 Mail Service Center, Department of Public Instruction, Raleigh, NC 27699-6356 and send a copy to your regional BSS consultant.

4/21/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue has been fixed

Production Site EC Forms Not Opening issue has been fixed. If you have other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

4/21/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Opening

Currently, users are reporting problems opening EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

4/17/2008 - PDF Password Fields to be Removed

The PDF Passwords fields on the My Settings screen will be removed when the Group 2 change to the Special Ed screen is implemented on May 9. The PDF password fields play a huge part in the confusion users have at password expiration time and to avoid the problems surrounding password resets, it is being removed. In addition, with all EC forms are converting to web-based format with the Group 3 release, the PDF password field will be obsolete. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

4/16/2008 - April 2008 Child Count Must be Uncertified To Make Corrections.

Some LEAs have corrected records on the April 2008 Child Count using the Child Count Reduction Correction Screen. If this screen is used to make corrections before the count is closed, LEAs could be penalized for submitting incorrect information.

All error corrections should be made in the Validation Completed status under Move to Active, Exit or Delete Student until the count is closed to avoid any penalties for your LEA.

Please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us or 919-807-4357 if you have any questions.

4/14/2008 - April 2008 Periodic Child Count

All LEAs are to have completed an initial submission by close of business on Wednesday April 9, 2008. All certifications are to be completed by close of business April 16, 2008. You may re-submit as often as you need during this time period.
Exited Record Errors
CECAS performs an exit count at the same time it does an active count. In December and April, DPI uses only the active count data.
Any errors you receive in exited data can be resolved from inside the submission by using the following steps:
Resolve all active record errors in the student record and re-submit.
Click the "Move to Active, Exited, or Delete Student" link on your "Submission Processing Work Box" screen.
Search for and select the exited record.
Select the radio button next to the record name.
Click the Delete button.
Click the YES button in the pop-up window.
After all steps are completed, wait for the system to process the records to Validation Completed and then Certify. Do not re-submit.

To Certify the Count:
The EC Director must sign into CECAS.
Open Data Exchange folder, Open the Periodic Count folder, Click on Periodic Count Submissions.
On the Periodic Count Submissions page, drop down the Count Period field. Select April 2008 Periodic Child Count.Do not select a file type.
Click Search.
The Certify button will appear next to the Search button.
Click Certify.
Print this page for your records.

* If the EC Director is not the User who submitted the child count, please go to the Downloads Page of www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads.html ( April 1, 2008 Child Count with disabilities Verification Form ) and print the April 1, 2008 Verification Form. Complete and mail it to the address specified on the form. If you have any questions, please contact cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/11/2008 - Update on Deletion of Non-Closed/Verified Forms in CECAS

The implementation of the Group 2 release that will take place on May 9, 2008 does not impact EC Forms in any way. EC Forms will not be deleted with this release.

As each new form is released to CECAS, then the draft/meeting/paused forms will be deleted and LEAs will be notified in advance of the intent to delete non-closed/verified forms. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/10/2008 - New Release to CECAS

Per the memo sent from Mary Watson dated April 10, 2008, ECS will release into CECAS the new Group 2 enhancements. These enhancements involve significant changes to the Special Education Screen. CECAS will be unavailable beginning at noon on Friday, May 9, until 7:30am on Monday, May 12, while the changes are being implemented. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/9/2008 - April 2008 Child Count Initial Submission Due Today

Per the March 6, 2008 memo Schedule for April 2008 Child Counts from Mary Watson, all LEAs and Charter Schools must have an initial April 2008 Child Count submission in CECAS by close of business today, Wednesday April 9. Once the initial submission is in CECAS, LEAS and Charter Schools may re-submit as often as needed until Wednesday, April 16 to ensure all records are counted. All submissions must be finalized by April 16, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

4/7/2008 - New Java Update and CECAS DTool

If you are experiencing issues accessing DTool, or have issues navigating inside DTool, you may need to update to the newest version of Java Runtime Environment. To download Java, go to www.java.com. Click the Free Java Download button to start the process. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

03/31/2008 - Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

03/31/2008 - Production Site Down

Users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS.We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/24/2008 - ID Verification Document

For LEAs that are still working on the Non-Match files, a document, entitled ID Verification in CECAS, has been posted to the CECAS website under the General Reference and Miscellaneous section. Click this link to access the file. This document will assist LEAs in understanding what to look for in the student records that appear on the non-match list. Understand that the non-match file you receive from your testing coordinator has the data as it appears in CECAS. Compare this data to your student information system data. Please direct all inquires to the CECAS Support Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/17/2008 - CECAS Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-HELP (4357), then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/17/2008 - CECAS Production Site Down

Users are currently unable to access CECAS upon login. We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press #2 for CECAS, or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/14/2008 - April 2008 Child Count Submission Schedule

Per the Schedule for April 2008 Child Counts memo from Mary Watson dated March 6, 2008, the April 2008 child count for children with disabilities will be transmitted through CECAS based on the submission dates as listed in the table below. Please follow the posted schedule for your LEA. 3rd party submissions must submit complete files with all required elements for each record. Incomplete 3rd party files will be deleted.
The AIG child count will be conducted separately through either SIMS or NCWISE. Dates for the AIG child count electronic pickup can be found in the memo. To review this memo, please follow this link. The memo can also be accessed from the Downloads page of the CECAS Communications web site at http://www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads/Schedule for April 2008 Child Counts Memo.doc. Please direct all inquires to the CECAS Support Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

Submission Schedule
LEA Submission Date
Wake 4/1/2008
Guilford 4/1/2008
Charlotte Mecklenburg 4/2/2008
Forsyth 4/2/2008
All other LEAs and Charter Schools 4/3/2008 through 4/9/2008
Deadline for Certification Status 4/16/2008

3/14/2008 - Revised Timeline for Changes to CECAS

The Group 2 changes in CECAS that encompass the revised Special Ed screen to capture Indicators 11 and 12 will not occur until after the April 1, 2008 child count as outlined in the memo from Mary Watson, Subject: Revised Timeline for Changes to CECAS dated March 6, 2008. To review this memo, please follow this link. The memo can also be accessed from the Downloads page of the CECAS Communication web site at http://www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads/Memo-Revised Timeline for Changes to CECAS_1.pdf
Due to the delay in releasing Group 2, the data for Indicators 11 and 12 will be collected with a Excel spreadsheets rather than through the new periodic count process. In addition, the release of the new forms in CECAS will be delayed. Training details and further information will be forthcoming. Please direct all inquires to the CECAS Support Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

3/14/2008 - CECAS Presentation Directors' Institute March 12, 2008

The EC Delivery Team presented a project status and EC Forms overview at the Exceptional Children Directors' Institute in Greensboro, NC on March 12, 2008. We have posted our powerpoint presentation to the Downloads page of the CECAS Communications Site at http://www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads.html under the Presentations and Briefs section. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, then press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us

3/13/2008 - Deadline for Data Requests that Affect April 2008 Child Count is 3/24/2008

To ensure completion prior to April 1, any necessary changes to data in the CECAS application that impact the April 2008 child count for your LEA need to be submitted to cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us no later than close of business Monday, March 24, 2008. Instructions for completing and submitting a data request and the data request form can be found on our Downloads page in the General Reference and Miscellaneous section.

3/5/2008 - Production Data Replication is Working

Users were experiencing problems with report accuracy earlier today. This has now been corrected. If you note any report discrepancies, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

3/5/2008 - Production Data not Replicating to Reports

Currently, the CECAS production application is not replicating data entered on the Data Manager screens over to the Reports server resulting in inaccurate reports. Data entered today is not reflected on reports. This is a severity 1 issue and is being worked on currently. We apologize for this inconvenience. For all other CECAS issues, please call the Help Desk at (919) 807-4357, press 2 for CECAS, or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/22/2008 - CECAS Application Support

A CECAS Application Support document has been recently posted to the Training Downloads section. This document has been slightly updated from its last version dated 09-07-07. The revision is on the last page offering instruction on how to contact the CECAS Help Desk.

Please review this document to ensure that you are following the proper sequential order of obtaining CECAS support for both CECAS training and application inquiries. Additionally, please do not contact the Help Desk to receive training over the telephone and do not call the Help Desk staff via their direct telephone numbers. Our request is that you contact them by calling 919-807-HELP (4357) and then press 2 (or) via email (cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us). Thank you for your cooperation to this matter.

2/20/2008 - CECAS Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-HELP (4357), then press 2 for CECAS or email at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/20/2008- Production Site EC Forms Are Opening

The problem with accessing and opening EC Forms is corrected. If you experience problems opening EC Forms, please contact the Help Desk at (919) 807-HELP (4357) and press 2 for CECAS, or cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/18/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Opening

Currently, users are reporting problems opening EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/1/2008 - Changes to Exceptionality Categories

Per the memo sent from Mary Watson dated January 31, 2008 subject CECAS Changes to Exceptionality Categories, the application has been updated to reflect the exceptionalites approved by the State Board on November 1, 2007. The memo has been placed on the Downloads page of the Communication website under the Memorandums and Official Communications. Click here to review the memo. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

2/11/2008 - CECAS Production Servers Offline Tonight at 9 PM

The CECAS production servers will be taken offline for approximately 30 minutes this evening beginning at 9 PM to perform required maintenance to correct a problem with hardware. Users will not be able to log in while the servers are offline. Additionally, if a user is already logged into the application, data entry will not be saved. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/18/2008 - Consent Place Field in New Special Ed Screen in CECAS

Users have expressed some confusion about the memo that was sent on 1/11/2008 from Mary Watson titled Changes to CECAS. The Consent Placement field will only be required with the new screen for records that are in the placement process. LEA's are not required to close DEC6 forms for all records in order to make the record compliant. We mentioned this field in the memo on 1/11/2008 for the following reason: If the currently entered date in this field is not coming from a closed/verified DEC6, then it will not carry over to the new screen. However, even if the field is blank, the record will still remain active and eligible for child count purposes. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/17/2008 - Reminder: ECS to Upload ID Matches for NCWISE/SIMS to CECAS

Per the memo sent from Mary Watson and Mike Vecktenstedt dated December 6, 2007, DPI will provide ECS with the Matched by DPI ID files to be uploaded into CECAS. This process will take place no later than January 31, 2008. The NCWISE ID field, Local ID field or the Social Security Number field will be overlaid with data in CECAS for records who are on the Matched by DPI report. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/14/2008 - Changes to CECAS

In an ongoing effort to provide accurate data to the Federal Government, CECAS is being expanded to collect information for Indicators 11 and 12. These changes are scheduled to begin in February 2008. The Special Ed screen is being changed significantly in layout and will also require entry of several key components into a child's record.
The memo from Mary Watson Subject: Changes to CECAS dated January 9, 2008 briefly describes each of the changes. Click this link to access the memo.
The document entitled 57th EC Conference Info outlines in greater detail steps LEAs can take in preparation of these changes. Click this link to access the memo.
Both the memo and document can also be accessed from the Downloads page of the CECAS Communication web site at http://www.nccecas.org/downloads/downloads.html
As we approach implementation of each of these enhancements, we will notify you in advance of the exact dates they will take place, so you can plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/30/2008 - CECAS Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/30/2008 - Production Site Down

Some users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/30/2008 - Training Site Now Available

Users are now able to login and access the training site. If you still experience login problems with the training site or to report other issues with the CECAS production site, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/30/2008- Training Site Down

Users are currently unable to log into and access the CECAS Training Site. We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/24/2008- Production Site EC Forms Are Opening

The problem with accessing and opening EC Forms is corrected. If you experience problems opening EC Forms, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/24/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Opening

Currently, users are reporting problems opening EC Forms. We are working to correct this issue and will post here when fixed. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/14/2008 - CECAS Production Site Available

Users are now able to login and access CECAS. If you still experience login problems or to report other issues with CECAS, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/14/2008 - CECAS Production Site Down

Users are currently unable to log into and access CECAS. We are working to correct and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/3/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Are Opening

The problem with accessing and opening EC Forms is corrected. If you experience problems opening EC Forms, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.

1/3/2008 - Production Site EC Forms Not Working

Currently, some users are reporting problems opening PDF EC Forms. We are working to correct this problem and will post here when corrected. For all other CECAS issues, please contact the Help Desk at cecas-support@dpi.state.nc.us.