March 25, 2014 Presentation to the Board of School Directors 1
March 25, 2014 BOARD MEETING - Orientation Comprehensive Planning & Special Education March 26, 2014 Special Education Plan on display for 28 calendar days March 27, 2014 Steering Committee Meeting April 22, 2014 BOARD MEETING - Resolution Comprehensive Plan for Special Education April 23, 2014 Action Teams Meeting May 1, 2014 Special Education Plan due to PDE 2
June 25-26, 2014 Principals Workshop Review of Action Plans August 26, 2014 BOARD MEETING - Agenda or September 9, 2014 Orientation August 27, 2014 Comprehensive Plan on display for 28 or September 10, 2014 calendar days September 23, 2014 BOARD MEETING - Resolution or October 14, 2014 Adoption of District Comprehensive Plan November 30, 2014 District Comprehensive Plan Due to PDE 3
Comprehensive Plan Goals Comprehensive Professional Development Supporting Students Academically at Risk Effective Instructional Practices Goal Leaders Dr. Ann Bacon Dr. Mark Pellico Goal Leaders Ms. Judy Bomze Dr. Charles Lentz Goal Leaders Dr. James Melchor Mr. Damon Jordan 4
Welcome THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Dr. Amy Sichel, Superintendent of Schools Facilitator Introductions Dr. Jeffrey Fecher, Internal Coordinator Educating with STEAM Video Comprehensive Planning Overview Ms. JoAnn Perotti, External Coordinator Review Draft Goals & Goal Analysis Comprehensive Planning Concluding Remarks Ms. JoAnn Perotti Conclusion Dr. Amy Sichel 5
Ms. Jennifer Abramson Ms. Susanne Alfonso Ms. Amira Aliu Dr. Leigh Altadonna Dr. Ann Bacon Dr. Richard Balukas Dr. David Bergman Mr. Angelo Berrios Ms. Judy Bomze Ms. Linda Bradley Ms. Cynthia Brett Ms. Kaila Brown Ms. Greta Brunschwyler Mr. Andrew Coates Ms. Ky Connor-Watts Ms. Christine Darrah Ms. Ellen DeStefano Dr. Jeffrey Fecher Mr. Chad Finkelstein Ms. Elisha Gee Mr. Laurence Goldberg Ms. Chiquilla Holt Mr. Fred Johnson Ms. Tonya Johnson Mr. Damon Jordan Chief William Kelly Ms. Marie Kim Ms. Debra Lee Mr. Lawrence Lee Dr. Charles Lentz Mr. Christopher Lionetti Parent Representative Plan Chair Parent Representative Plan Chair Plan Chair Parent Representative Support Staff Representative Student Representative Community Representative Student Representative Parent Representative Internal Coordinator Student Representative Plan Chair Parent Representative Educational Specialist Educational Specialist Community Representative 6
Ms. Tricia Livingood Ms. Christine Madigan Ms. Rochelle Marbury Mr. Raymond McGarry Dr. James Melchor Mr. Daniel Oldham Dr. Mark Pellico Mr. Joshua Perlman Ms. JoAnn Perotti Ms. Jennifer Peszek Mr. Jimmy Quan Ms. Kathy Rafter Mr. Reid Sandner Ms. Tara Santora Dr. Amy Sichel Mr. Michael Staszkiw Mr. Jared Stevenson Mrs. Michele Tinsman Ms. Ann Walter-Custer Mr. Ryan Williams Business Representative School Board Representative Plan Chair External Coordinator Student Representative Business Representative Student Representative Superintendent of Schools Student Representative School Board Representative 7
8
The Special Education Plan Report is developed every three years in conjunction with the District s Strategic Plan. The plan describes the District s comprehensive delivery of programs and related services to students who have been determined to be in need of special education. 9
At the current time, the District has approximately 969 students in need of special education services, which represents approximately 12% of our student population. To serve this population, the District employs 86 teachers of special education, 73 paraprofessionals, a supervisory staff of 6 professionals, and a complement of school psychologists. Service providers include: 1) psychiatrist, 2) medical doctor, 3) occupational therapists, 4) physical therapists, 5) behavioral specialists, and 6) autistic specialists. 10
The PA Chapter 14 State Regulations Assurances to the U.S. Department of Education and the Bureau of Special Education Programs 11
Due to PDE on May 1, 2014 28 day public review period Describe the special education programs operated by the District, intermediate unit, vocational school, and other agencies Describe the criteria for identifying students Assures that students have access to a full continuum of services in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Affords professional and support staff and parents with training 12
The Committee charged with reviewing the Special Education Plan must be comprised of the following: One Administrator One Special Education Teacher One General Education Teacher One Parent 13
Academic, Emotional, and Functional Programs of Instruction Vision and Hearing Speech and Language Occupational and Physical Therapy Orientation and Mobility Training Counseling/Psychiatric Services Behavior Support including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Autism Specialist Services 14
The Special Education Plan Describes 5 Major Areas of Professional Development 1. Services for Students with Autism 2. Behavioral Support Offered to Students 3. Training provided to Paraprofessionals 4. Transition Planning for Students 5. Improving Students Reading Performance 15
Significant assurances in the Plan include: 1. Child Find system in place 2. Educates students to the maximum extent possible in the least restrictive setting based upon student needs 3. Follow State rules for the participation of students in the State s assessment program 4. Funds received through the ACCESS program are used to enhance or expand services for students in special education 16
A strong and viable Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Exemplary programs of which several have been showcased by the Department of Education A commitment to the inclusion of students with moderate to severe needs in the general education setting A professional and dedicated staff working on behalf of students with disabilities for meeting IEP goals and individual potential 17