2018 2018 S Spec ecial Educati tion Adviso sory C Committee ( - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

2018 2018 S Spec ecial Educati tion Adviso sory C Committee ( (SEAC) Rep eport Justin M. Caron, SEAC Chair June 6, 2018

2018 S 2018 SEAC Report Ov Overview • This year’s SEAC report is an accurate reflection of the committee’s interactions with our constituents, partners in the community servicing special needs students, and the various departments within the Office of Special Education (OSE). • SEAC provides the School Board members, OSE, and the community a highlight of the committee’s accomplishments from 2017-18 and recommendations for 2018-19. • Our goal is to partner with you to continue to make improvements in the lives of the special needs students in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS). 2

Accomplish shmen ents s from 2 201 016-17 R Report R Recommendations • Created targeted and direct communication avenues to parents to share important information regarding scheduled workshops and resources available. • Implemented Divisionwide curriculum to empower students with special needs to advocate for their educational and transitional goals and personal interests and needs within their school environment. • Offered “I’m Determined” workshops twice a year (fall and spring) for parents and students. • Offered the “I’m Determined” workshop as an in-service opportunity for all PWCS staff. Supported teachers in forming a professional learning community to meet and discuss ideas to implement tools from this program within their classroom settings. 3

Accomplish shmen ents s from 2 201 016-17 R Report R Recommendations (continued) • Held “Sibshops” more frequently and at multiple times and locations for families to attend and offered professional development to train additional facilitators. • Supported the need to continue counselor training on college offerings and ensure there is a resource list for different colleges like Christopher Newport University that are “friendly” to Individualized Education Program and 504 students. • Increased the current level of counselors to the recommended American School Counselor Association ratio and develop a plan of action to decrease the shortfall within PWCS. The School Board’s approved budget includes three additional 1.0 FTE high school counselors. • Invited Scott Campbell to provide a draft presentation to PWCS principals, teachers, and safety resource officers on safety for students with special needs. 4

20 2018 T Top op Prio iorit itie ies an and R Rec ecommendatio ions • Given the level of importance and visibility of the opening of the new facility, Independence Nontraditional School, appropriate funding and support need to continue to be monitored and ultimately provided. • A scheduled Independence Nontraditional School tour for SEAC members is recommended. • A dedicated Independence Nontraditional School Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) Chapter: An immediate consideration and launch of SEPTA chapter associated with students and families attending the new Independence Nontraditional School. • Removal of site tours from SEAC responsibility (removed reference of site tours from SEAC website late 2017). • SEAC would like to increase reports to the School Board to a biannual occurrence as opposed to annually. 5

Top P Priorities a es and nd R Recommen endations s (continued) • OSE will continue to address staffing in order to make sure PWCS remains in compliance and to develop long-term plans to try to stay ahead of the growth within the county and the increase of students requiring special needs services. • Increase school administrators’ working knowledge of Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 similarities and differences, as well as legal requirements. A detailed explanation of these two options from a student and parent perspective should be provided by PWCS and distributed in a variety of ways. • Provide a more detailed and specific explanation of the eligibility meeting process should be created and distributed to parents and students in multiple languages prior to eligibility meetings taking place. • Complete of a thorough review, discussion, and consideration of the 2017-18 Special Education external audit. • Adoption of identified external Special Education audit improvements to the current site-based management practices. 6

Acknowled edgem emen ents • Office of Special Education SEAC would like to • Dr. Michelle Roper, Director express their gratitude • Amanda Mallory, Supervisor of Compliance • Mary Jo Flood, Executive Secretary to the following PWCS • Andy White, Lead Clinical Speech Language Pathologist departments, staff, • Jennifer Lee, Lead Clinical Speech Language Pathologist personnel, and • Parent Resource Center • Mary Jo Howarth, Administrative Coordinator community partners for • Rhonda Tabor, Parent Coordinator their time and support: • Student Learning and Accountability • Rita Goss, Associate Superintendent • Angela Murgo, Executive Secretary • Virginia Department of Education • Henry J. “Hank” Millward, Jr. Director, Office of Specialized Education Facilities and Family Engagement, Division of Special Education and Student Services 7

Add dditional A Acknowled edgemen ents Prince William County Public Schools Staff SEAC would like to express their gratitude • David Cline, Associate Superintendent for Finance and Support Services to the following PWCS • Todd Erickson, Associate Superintendent for departments, staff, Central Elementary Schools personnel, and • Jarcelynn Hart, Associate Superintendent for Western Elementary Schools community partners for • Christina Lo, Acting Director for English their time and support: Learner (EL) Programs and Services and Supervisor of EL Instruction • Marie Schumann, K-3 EL Program Specialist • Chelsea Northman, Secondary EL Program Specialist 8

2018 2018 S Spec ecial Educati tion Adviso sory C Committee ( (SEAC) Rep eport Justin M. Caron, SEAC Chair June 6, 2018