Florence Unified School District No. 1
Adam Leckie
Director of Exceptional Student Services
February 2015
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Director’s Summary
Trainings
- Co-teaching Training: Two Teachers in a Classroom: Amy Curtiss, Pam Fesko, Diana
Coleman, Twyla Bright, Nikki Fyfe, Randi Fielding
- Teaching Fractions for Understanding: Julie Burton
- The ESS Department provided a third in-service on the following topics during the
January 28, FUSD district-wide PD half day: Co-teaching, Assistive Technology, Behavior
Data Collection, Alternate Assessment Administration
Materials & Curriculum
- Psycho-educational protocols for Evaluations
- CPR and First Aid Materials
- Paraprofessional HQ Exams
Challenges
- Currently, we are working to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. This requires
extensive collaboration with general education, integrating a shared vision and culture
of accountability for all students. Federal monitoring has shifted from a purely
compliance driven metric to one focused on student achievement and academic
improvement. Districts are now tasked with reducing the performance gap between
students with and without disabilities. The close partnership between general and special
education teachers is an essential component of ensuring success.
Successes
- District initiatives such as PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports), RTI (response
to intervention), co-teaching and inclusion have provided initial steps in addressing the
challenge listed above. This cultural shift in how students with disabilities along with all
students are educated, serviced, and supported will lend Florence USD the tools to
improve educational outcomes for every child that attends our district. The support and
involvement of principals, who are the leaders in change at their schools, has been
encouraging in their passion and dedication to addressing the needs of each and every
student.
Adam Leckie
Director of Exceptional Student Services
Board of Education
Denise Guenther, President
Janeane Candelaria, Vice-President
Rose Marie M. Monks, Member
Bob Dailey, Member
Steve Johnson, Member