SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. Debra LoVerde Executive Director of Special Education Services April 11, 2018
Our Schools and Programs • FIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS • SEVEN NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS – Franklin Early Childhood Center – SKA High School for Girls (9-12) – Hewlett Elementary School – Yeshiva of South Shore (1-8) – Ogden Elementary School – Shulamith School (K) – Woodmere Middle School – Ohr Leah Academy (K) – Hewlett High School – HALB (K) – Mesivta Shaarei Pruzdor High School for Boys (MSP) Total Number of District SWD: 429 – Lawrence Woodmere Academy (K-12) Classification Rate: 14% Total Number of NPS Students: 184
Program Descriptions • Focus in 12:1:1: Provide grade level parallel curriculum that is modified and adapted for individual students PT (OES) or FT (FECC, HES, WMS, HHS). • 15:1:1: (WMS, HHS) and ICT classes remain true to grade level curriculum with full-time SE teacher support. Modifying the curriculum is discouraged, but considered if necessary for individual students and recommended on IEPs. • 6:1:2 & 8:1:2: (FECC, HES, HHS) Functional life skills with significant curriculum modification. • Hybrid Programs: (All schools) Individualize strengths and weaknesses and can be a combination of the above. • Resource Room: (All schools) Moderate support as a stand alone service or supplementary support for special classes. • Integrated Co-Teaching: (All schools)Full-time support in general education classes as needed and recommended
Focus of Related Services Speech Language Therapy – Expressive and receptive language; pragmatic language • Occupational therapy – Fine motor skills and sensory skills • Physical therapy – Gross motor skills and sensory skills • Adapted Physical Education – Enables safe participation in a modified environment • Focus of OT, PT and APE is to enable the student to safely navigate, participate and • access the school environment Educational Counseling – Supports students with social and emotional challenges. • Parent training – Provides parents with supportive tools • Assistive Technology – Hardware and software tools to augment • and strengthen communication and access to printed materials Job coaching/vocational training – Prepares students for work • Orientation & Mobility and/or Travel Training – Safe navigation of school & community •
Discovery Talented & Gifted Program • OES*: Focus on STEAM – Fifth graders built marble coasters to support understanding of Newton’s Laws of Motion, a trip to the Cradle of Aviation Museum will be the culminating activity. Students will participate in two workshops: The Physics of Toys & Force and Motion, and view an IMAX movie about engineering. – Fourth graders are using Little Bits STEAM kits to add movement and sound effects to art, culminating in writing code to solve problems. – Third graders worked with Dr. Terry on a chemistry unit to explore chemical reactions. *Tweet or Google: AMartinOES or OES Discovery for photos and videos of student work
More Discovery • HES: STEAM and the Law – Grade 5 is working on a first amendment rights case, developing arguments in constitutional law. Data collection through google forms is helping to gather information. Students are also developing games using coding software and advancing knowledge with complex mathematical problem solving problems. – Grade 4 has been steeped in problem solving. For the first time students are going to be participating in the Long Island Mock Trial Tournament. They are taking on the case of The State of New York v. Matthew Shriek. – Grade 3 is coding for their next NXT robots and learning how robots, computers and humans communicate with each other. Students are mastering spreadsheets, creative thinking and problem solving skills.
And More Discovery • WMS Students: – researched features of past Olympic Cities and designed a bid for the Olympic Committee to request a city of their choice to become the next Olympic city! – explored upper level science topics and promoted important experiences with teamwork and preparation. This improved the ability of students to quickly respond to answers while listening to one another. – researched background information about Rube Goldberg, created their own Rube Goldberg Machines.
Transition Coordinator Oversees Job • Coaching and Travel Training Programs Completes Transition • Assessments for SWD ages 12-21 Conducts Exit Summary • meetings Coordinates transition • services with OPWDD, ACCES-VR and assists families with connections to community resources
Outcome of NYSED Audit Corrective Actions • FBA/BIPS: 3 day workshop, ongoing discussion, summer PD • Goals and Progress Monitoring: SE teachers attended BOCES RSE-TSC workshops • Consultant Teacher: Review of service and implementation ongoing NYSED APPROVAL
Professional Development • Special Education Teachers • Speech Teachers • Teacher Assistants and Aides • Psychologists and Social Workers
Professional Development: What’s Next? • Integrated Co-Teaching • 2 E presentations and workshops, Lending Library • Ongoing Collaboration • SCD • Department Meetings • EdCamp • Conferences
SEPTA Forums • Kids in the Middle; Cultivating Different Abilities to Foster Self- Determination and Reslience (Christine Keller) • Tips and Tools for Successful IEP and 504 Meetings (Ann Mergler, advocate) • What are My Child’s Rights at School*, (Lauren Adler -Green, Special Education Attorney) * With Lynbrook SEPTA
Questions?
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