Overview of progress SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE September 2016 Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE September 2016

• Dr. Lynn C. Toper, Chief of Specialized Learning and Student Services

Overview of progress…

VISION …

Norwalk Public Schools will be a spotlight district in the state A successful turnaround accomplished through the collaboration of all stakeholders: families, students, staff and BOE.

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• Former Special Education Teacher
• Former Assistant Principal
• Former Director of Special Education
• Former CT State Dept. Spec Ed Consultant
• Former Urban Charter School Principal
• Founding Principal – STEM Elementary Magnet

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WHO AM I?

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Progress…

• New programs up and running
• LEAP program at Wolfpit, High Roads

program at NHS, 18-21-year-old Transition Program

• Norwalk Early Childhood Center (NECC)

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Progress…

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• Creation of my position – assistant superintendent level

to assist with moving the agenda forward

• Aligned feeder schools to the extent possible with spec

ed administrator assignments

• Have assigned a special educator to run the NECC
• Have assigned two sped admin to share the oversight of

Out of District Placements

Progress…

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• Policy and Procedure Manual and Parent Handbook
• Training in Spanish by CPAC on Understanding the IEP
• Bi-weekly meetings with finance dept. to review budget
• Collaborating with State Education Resource Center

(SERC) to provide professional development for teachers and administrators

Progress…

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• Creation of the Special Fund from the City of Norwalk to

help fund this work…3.6 million over the next 3 years

• Completed – the CSDE desk audit with

recommendations for improvement…information shared with all building principals, sped administrators, sped staff

• Created positions to oversee assessments/evaluation

(starting in two weeks) and assistive technology(posted now)

• Working with teacher union on creation of IEP

Compliance Monitor positions at the elementary level

Build capacity…take care of our own…

• Reviewing areas where we can build internal

capacity

• Develop collaborative relationships with outside

providers like CREC, CES and/or Oak Hill to help

support this growth

• Look at the needs of our students who are
• utplaced to determine how we might be able to

service them in district

• Planning to add a regional program for students with

hearing impairments in collaboration with CREC’s Soundbridge program (2017-18)

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Build capacity…take care of our own…

• Hire our own OT/PT service providers (2017-18)
• Develop an appropriate gifted/talented identification

process and model for service delivery

• Recruit and develop talent within the district for

leadership roles and to conduct professional development

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Build capacity…take care of our own…

• Development of Norwalk Parent Advisory Council
• Meets quarterly to discuss strategic initiatives to

move the district forward

• Representation: 1 NECC, 4 Elementary, 2 Middle

School, 1 High School, 1 SPED Partners, 1 OOD, plus alternates

• Ballots available here – will email this week to

families

• Will pick blindly from a jar at Oct. BOE meeting

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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I

• remember. Involve me and I learn.
• Benjamin Franklin

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FAMILIES ARE PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS

THEY SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEY ARE

BE PROACTIVE…

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• Norwalk has tended be REACTIVE in their

approach to special ed

• Focus is on being proactive
• Want collaborative relationships with our families

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Responsive...

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• Access to Chief of Specialized Learning
• Use of Norwalk Web Site for information – will

post monthly office hours for drop-in visits

• Meet and Greet – Sept. 19th/Library presentation

– Sept. 13th

• Sept. 26th Meeting for Spanish Speaking families
• n the IEP
• Norwalk Special Ed Parent Advisory Council –

will post recommendations

• Meeting with principals monthly

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Be a part of the change you wish to see in the world. I need your help!!!!

THANK YOU…

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THANK YOU for being a part of the solution. THANK YOU for your patience as we embark on this journey. THANK YOU for being a part of something so important in the State of

• Connecticut. The turnaround of a city school system.

WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!!