SECAC Meeting
Monday September 9, 2013
Introductions
Made from the group
Announcements
October meeting: Executive Director of Special Education and Student Support Services – Debra Y. Brooks, guest
speaker
Introduction of Dr. Dallas Dance, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools ddance@bcps.org
Dr. Dance’s remarks included these ideas:
Consistency within the special education department is a concern
Compliance driven growth – shift away from this method and shift to growth each year – psychology, emotional growth,
social growth a focus
September - Draft of report and results of audit being revealed at the Board of Education meeting
Plan for equity for all children to be adopted – year plus one growth
Non-public placements need to address all needs and personalizing the educational plan
Principals need to be well-versed in the IEP process, understand the full continuum of services available to students
Keep students in home schools when and if at all possible
Office of special education not a stand-alone department
Q/A for Dr. Dance – Talking Points
Special Education Audit - How will it be shared?
Dr. Dance - Full supporter of inclusion
Identification of students, performance in the classroom; RTI multi-level of services; stretch goals to mastery with
supports
Goals written based on needs, goals should reflect growth
Danielson Model for teacher evaluation mentioned
The special education audit – reviewed IEPs, auditors, spoke to groups
Transportation Dept for special needs children transitioning from Infants and Toddlers to elementary;
transportation determines placement, many issues facing the quality of transportation services
ALS (adapted learning support) academic learning support (question) program going to be eliminated? Dr. Dance
want relevancy for programs; full continuum of services needed; looking at programs versus services, least
restrictive model
Staffing at schools may be able to provide services - look at programs
Look at providing services in the home school- continuum of services moves away from programs, looks at services
IEP Chairs – assistant principal at most schools - question of training; secondary department chairs; IEP facilitator
model as a position; training for assistant principals to be available
SECAC Meeting
Monday September 9, 2013
Consistent Speech/Language teachers- high turnover rate too much once recruited they leave for the private
sector
IEPS written and staffing to address goals
One –one assistants and professional development Department of Organizational Development; process of on
boarding
Accountability of administrators and implementation of IEPs
Plan already written to implement suggestions from the audit
High School level with participation of students, transition plans, when additional supports are written they need
to be services that will
Office of Special Education not necessarily needed at IEP meetings
Cluster programs and extended school year
Diagnosis of children not consistent within school systems
Special transfers for students to attend schools, appeal process
Service records should be written to track services and made available access accommodations page available in
the IEP
IEP goals can be joint between school and home - communication between home and school
Goal bank - access for parents to read through before the IEP meeting to allow parents the opportunity to help
select appropriate goals for their child
Students input needs to be valued, students need to be involved in high school
Legal advocacy disproportional rate of student suspension rate, access of student support services
FY15 budget guidance services as support in special education
Consistency amongst the principals – accountability exec director and responsibility
Dr. Dance’s closing remarks included his focus to improve equity in education amongst all students