Special Education Review
Manchester Essex Regional School
District
School Committee Meeting
November 17, 2009
The Team’s Vision
• All students will have a free and appropriate
public education in the least restrictive setting
(FAPE)
• All students will access the general education
curriculum and will make effective progress
• All students with disabilities will become
proficient in reading, math, written language ,
and science
• All students with disabilities will develop learning
strategies and self-advocacy skills to enhance lifelong learning
Status of Special Education
Enrollment as of 10/08
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Total Sped 244
HS 48
MS 27+7
Memorial 65
Essex 45
Out of District 34
Preschool 18
Enrollment as of 10/09
• Total Sped 235
• HS 44+ 6
• MS 56 * +5
• Memorial 41
• Essex 33
• Out of District 29
• Memorial Preschool 5/16
• Essex Preschool 7/14
• Itinerant Preschool 9
*(increase due to addition of
the 6 grade)
Preschool
• Both preschools are running well and keeping
the children engaged
• EES has 7 Sped and 7 peer pals
• Memorial has 5 Sped and 9 peer pals
• Mentoring program for both teachers is
aimed at support and ensuring consistency
• Training for staff in Applied Behavioral Analysis
(ABA )
Intensive Programs
High School
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7 students in 9th grade
Students have made positive
adjustment to the high school
Math and English instruction are
modified and substantially separate
Social language pragmatics support
is integral to the program
Inclusion occurs with T.A. support
Will expand to 10th grade next year
Will have (7 ) 10th graders and ( 2)
9th graders
Course offerings will increase to
include functional life skills, prevocational focus
Middle School
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5 students in grades 6-8
Created modified substantially
separate math class for any
students significantly below grade
level
Social language pragmatics support
is integral to the program
Instructional software is provided
to support academics and
keyboarding
Social Skills Camp
Extended Year Services
Rational for Developing
Program July 2009
• Placing one student privately for
social skills programs cost from
$2400-$3700.
• In-district students who are
struggling socially but may not
need an intensive program, need
skill building and help building
positive peer relationships
• Nine elementary students from
Essex and Memorial attended
• Program ran three hours per day,
three days per week, for four
weeks
• Two Guidance Counselors
developed and ran the program
• Total cost for program was $2600.
Examples of inclusive practices
• In class support in History and Math classes at the HS
• Increased collaboration between regular education and
sped teachers, as they develop their data goal
• Reading/writing class created for 6th grade, in addition
to ELA and specialized instruction to maximize strategic
instruction
• RtI initiative being piloted for 5th grade at Essex
Elementary
• Professional development provided in assessment for
both regular education and special education staff
through the Curriculum Office
Examples continued
• Professional development in reading instruction provided
to T.A.’s by the Reading Teachers
• Regular education and special education staff collaborating
on the use of accommodations in the testing process as
well as the reporting of grades
• Expanded use of pre-referral strategies before considering
referral to special education
• Use of pre-teaching has required collaboration and has
enhanced student access to curriculum
• Collaboration between regular education and sped
regarding the purchase of instructional software
• MS regular and sped teachers trained together in math
program this summer
Other initiatives
• Guidance staff in all buildings trained in MELA-O for ELL
students taking MCAS
• 8 teachers have been trained in Sheltered English Immersion
• 6 Sped staff have been trained in Wilson Reading Program
• 15 Staff are receiving 30 hours of training in Applied
Behavioral Analysis
• Professional Development has been provided in Executive
Functioning and Social Language Pragmatics to enhance
supports for students diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s
Syndrome
• Plan to develop social skills resource manual and tie in to
Whole Child initiative.
• Contracted service of Mental Health Counselor for MS
population
Financial Considerations
FY 2010
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Freeze on tuition prices this year
Circuit Breaker foundation at
$37,328
Circuit Breaker reimbursement ended
up being below 38% . Districts had
been advised to plan on 64%
reimbursement in January 2009
Extended year tutorial services were
reduced to 5 weeks
Transportation bids were reviewed
by a consultant and considered to be
reasonable bids. Collaborated with
other districts and companies to get
the most safe and cost-effective
transportation
Camp Social was a positive and cost
effective program
HS intensive program is a positive
and cost effective program
Purchase of instructional software
enhances strategic instruction
FY 2011
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Private school tuitions likely to increase,
adding further challenges to the school
budget
The Circuit Breaker foundation
increased to $38,686
Unknown as to CB rate of funding for
next year
Continue 5 week tutorials for extended
year
Transportation cost will likely go up if
gasoline prices and operating cost of
vendors increase
Continue Camp Social; may need 1
additional staff
Further develop courses for the HS
Intensive program
Continue purchase of assistive
technology software to build program
capacity
Goals Moving Forward
• Continue professional development to build
program capacity that supports the learning
needs of all of our students
• Support RtI activities
• Pilot instructional software at elementary
• Continue Memorial/Essex preschool
collaboration