2017 2017 Special al E Education on Advi visory Co Committee ( e (SEAC) R Rep eport Rhonda Tabor, SEAC Chair Presented by Maria Cheeks, SEAC Vice-Chair June 7, 2017
2017 S 2017 SEAC Report Ov t Overview • This year’s SEAC report is a compilation of the committee’s interactions with our constituents, partners in the community servicing special needs students, and the various departments within the Office of Special Education (OSE). • SEAC provides the School Board members, OSE, and the community a highlight of the committee’s accomplishments from 2016-17 and recommendations for 2017-18. • Our goal is to partner with you to continue to make improvements in the lives of the special needs students in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS). 2
Accom omplishmen ents f from om 2 2016 R Repor ort • Completion of the transition/toolkit for parents and students to guide them in their transition that includes roles and responsibilities, available resources, and timeline for action by all parties, including PWCS staff. (IEP/504 FAQs and brochure are still in development by OSE and SEAC.) • Creation of Special Education tab on all school webpages to direct parents to the Special Education tab on the PWCS website in order to improve communications. • Addition of SEAC concerns to agenda of Level (principals’) meetings so they can be addressed. • Dedicated SEAC email for official member use with parents and members of the community. • Development of SEAC informational video detailing the purpose and how parents can get involved on our website, in addition to the PWCS YouTube channel. • Increased collaboration between the Parent Resource Center and SEAC to co-sponsor events such as the I’m Determined Workshop. Inclusion of a Transition Specialist at open houses and TouchBase events 3
Accom omplishmen ents f from om 2016 Repor ort (con ontinued ed) • Greater partnership between SEAC and community organizations such as Special Olympics and others to augment resources available to PWCS students and families. • Continued basic and advanced training for SEAC members. Members also attended the 2017 Advocacy Symposium in Midlothian, Virginia, as well as trainings and symposiums provided by Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center. • Implementation of multiple reading programs and PBIS in all schools, professional development was provided on the subject, and county-wide teacher workshops on Multiple Sensory Reading were held. • Development of Spanish outreach materials for our limited English proficient parents regarding transition from middle to high school. • Marketing of the telephone interpreter service as tool to help multilingual parents achieve resources for their children • Addition of Cluster Supervisors and Coordinator which has been the best outreach and support to parents and staff in PWCS. 4
2017 Top P Prior orities es a and R Recom ommen endation ons • Create targeted and direct communications avenues to parents to share important information regarding scheduled workshops and resources available. Some examples are email listservs, school webpages, and PTO calendars. • Implement county-wide curriculum to empower special needs students to advocate for their educational and transitional goals, personal interest, and needs within their school environment. • Offer I’m Determined workshops twice a year (fall and spring) for parents and students. • Offer the I’m Determined workshop as an in-service opportunity for all PWCS staff. Support teachers in forming a professional learning community to meet and discuss ideas to implement tools from this program within their classroom settings. 5
2017 Top P Prior orities es a and R Recom ommen endation ons (continued) d) • Increase opportunities for “Sibshops” within the school system by offering professional development to train additional facilitators. • Hold “Sibshops” more frequently and at multiple times and locations for families to attend. • Support the need to continue counselor training on college offerings and ensure there is a resource list of different colleges (i.e., Christopher Newport University) that are “friendly” to IEP and 504 students. • Increase the current level of counselors to the recommended American School Counselor Association ratio and develop a plan of action to decrease the shortfall within PWCS. • Invite Scott Campbell, Autism Awareness and SafetyTrainer, to give PWCS principals, teachers, and safety resource officers targeted presentations on safety for students with special needs. 6
Acknowled edgem emen ents • Autism Awareness and Safety Trainer for the Virginia Autism SEAC would like to Public Safety Advisory Council express their gratitude • Scott Campbell to the following PWCS • Hylton High School Media Center • Mirachelle Canada, Director of TV Production Specialty Program , departments, staff, • Office of Special Education (OSE) personnel, and • Dr. Jane Lawson, Director • Ms. Morphoula Daoulas, OSE Eligibility Supervisor community partners • Mary Jo Flood, Executive Secretary for their time and • Parent Resource Center support: • Student Learning and Accountability • Rita Goss, Associate Superintendent • Angela Murgo, Executive Secretary • Special Olympics • Peggy Van Lowe, Area 23 7
2017 2017 Special al E Education on Advi visory Co Committee ( e (SEAC) R Rep eport Rhonda Tabor, SEAC Chair Presented by Maria Cheeks, SEAC Vice-Chair June 7, 2017
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