2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report of the Special Education Department Special Education Administrator: Michele Brady The goal of the Special Education Department is to identify eligible students and provide them with specialized instruction and accommodations to help them fulfill their potential towards college and/or career readiness. As part of this mission, the Special Education Administrator collaborates with Mashpee Public Schools' families, staff, central office, principals and assistant principals, to support and educate students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment where students can make effective progress. The Special Education Administrator supports and mentors teachers and therapists who work with these students; helps ensure equitable access to the curriculum while focusing on individualized student needs; applies for grants and reimbursement funding through the state and federal government; and monitors compliance with state timelines and targeted goals through mandatory data collection reports (Indicators 1-14). In order to be eligible for special education, students between the ages of 3 to 22 must have a documented disability which affects their ability to make progress in the general education curriculum. Special Education students must need specialized instruction or related services to make progress. These services are detailed in each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) which must be reviewed annually. In addition, all students on IEPs must be evaluated every three years to determine continued eligibility. Students with disabilities who need accommodations, but not specialized instruction are eligible for a 504 plan, which falls under the Guidance Department. Special Education Evaluations In FY16, approximately 105 students were re- evaluated to determine eligibility for special education, which resulted in 80 students remaining in special education and 25 students dropped from special education due to the progress they had made. An additional 66 students were evaluated for the first time (initial evaluations). Of these initial evaluations, 31 students were found eligible for special education, while 29 students were considered ineligible for special education services. The KCC School psychologist completed 37 evaluations. The Quashnet School Psychologist completed 48 evaluations. The Mashpee Middle School/ High School psychologist completed approximately 47 evaluations throughout the school year. Overall, the district completed approximately 174 evaluations, which includes preschool evaluations (completed by preschool staff), additional testing and/or extended evaluations. In addition, the school psychologists consulted to teachers and parents and facilitated numerous meetings with families and school staff. They also served on various school and district - wide committees. Special Education Student Statistics The Mashpee Public Schools provided services and accommodations to an average of 401 students with disabilities and/or developmental delays during the 2015-2016 school year, including 65 students on 504 plans and 336 students on IEPs. This is a reduction from the previous year when the Mashpee Public Schools provided services or accommodations through IEPs or 504 plans to 428 students. This reduction in numbers has resulted from improvements in how we identify students with disabilities as well as improvements in helping students make progress in general education, resulting in lower special needs. Of our Special Education students, 14 students were school choice students whose parents sent them to Mashpee. As a result, the district received additional funding due to special education services (approximately $62,780 plus the amount allotted per student under school choice). The district also funded the costs of out of district tuition and transportation for a total of 23 students at some point during the school year. By June 2016, the total amount of out of district students decreased to 20 students, plus three students who attended alternative programs such as the Massachusetts Hospital School, Project Forward or the Inclusive Concurrent Education (ICE) program at Cape Cod Community College. Project Forward has a minimal cost (less than $5,000 per year). The Mass Hospital School and the ICE program do not charge tuition, but there are other charges including paraprofessional support and transportation. In 2016, 15 special education students graduated with diplomas from Mashpee High School, including 2 students who attended out of district programs. As of June 2016, the Special Education student enrollment by school consisted of the following: 151