Overview of progress… SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE September 2016 Dr. Lynn C. Toper, Chief of Specialized Learning and Student Services
VISION … Norwalk Public Schools will be a spotlight district in the state A successful turnaround accomplished through the collaboration of all stakeholders: families, students, staff and BOE. 2
WHO AM I? • Former Special Education Teacher • Former Assistant Principal • Former Director of Special Education • Former CT State Dept. Spec Ed Consultant • Former Urban Charter School Principal • Founding Principal – STEM Elementary Magnet 3
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Progress… • New programs up and running • LEAP program at Wolfpit, High Roads program at NHS, 18-21-year-old Transition Program • Norwalk Early Childhood Center (NECC) 5
Progress… • Creation of my position – assistant superintendent level to assist with moving the agenda forward • Aligned feeder schools to the extent possible with spec ed administrator assignments • Have assigned a special educator to run the NECC • Have assigned two sped admin to share the oversight of Out of District Placements 6
Progress… • Policy and Procedure Manual and Parent Handbook • Training in Spanish by CPAC on Understanding the IEP • Bi-weekly meetings with finance dept. to review budget • Collaborating with State Education Resource Center (SERC) to provide professional development for teachers and administrators 7
Progress… • Creation of the Special Fund from the City of Norwalk to help fund this work…3.6 million over the next 3 years • Completed – the CSDE desk audit with recommendations for improvement…information shared with all building principals, sped administrators, sped staff • Created positions to oversee assessments/evaluation (starting in two weeks) and assistive technology(posted now) • Working with teacher union on creation of IEP Compliance Monitor positions at the elementary level 8
Build capacity…take care of our own… • Reviewing areas where we can build internal capacity • Develop collaborative relationships with outside providers like CREC, CES and/or Oak Hill to help support this growth • Look at the needs of our students who are outplaced to determine how we might be able to service them in district • Planning to add a regional program for students with hearing impairments in collaboration with CREC’s Soundbridge program (2017-18) 9
Build capacity…take care of our own… • Hire our own OT/PT service providers (2017-18) • Develop an appropriate gifted/talented identification process and model for service delivery • Recruit and develop talent within the district for leadership roles and to conduct professional development 10
Build capacity…take care of our own… • Development of Norwalk Parent Advisory Council • Meets quarterly to discuss strategic initiatives to move the district forward • Representation: 1 NECC, 4 Elementary, 2 Middle School, 1 High School, 1 SPED Partners, 1 OOD, plus alternates • Ballots available here – will email this week to families • Will pick blindly from a jar at Oct. BOE meeting 11
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. -Benjamin Franklin 12
FAMILIES ARE PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS THEY SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEY ARE 13
BE PROACTIVE… • Norwalk has tended be REACTIVE in their approach to special ed • Focus is on being proactive • Want collaborative relationships with our families 14
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Responsive... • Access to Chief of Specialized Learning • Use of Norwalk Web Site for information – will post monthly office hours for drop-in visits • Meet and Greet – Sept. 19 th /Library presentation – Sept. 13 th • Sept. 26 th Meeting for Spanish Speaking families on the IEP • Norwalk Special Ed Parent Advisory Council – will post recommendations • Meeting with principals monthly 16
Be a part of the change you wish to see in the world. I need your help!!!! 17
THANK YOU… THANK YOU for being a part of the solution. THANK YOU for your patience as we embark on this journey. THANK YOU for being a part of something so important in the State of Connecticut. The turnaround of a city school system. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!! 18
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