2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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KCC PreK: 42 KCC K-2: 48 Quashnet: 98 Mashpee Middle/High School: 123 Out of District: 20 Itinerant or Services only 4 Other: 2 Total: 336 Special Education Programs Mashpee Public Schools provides special education services to students through a continuum of services. These services range from consultation to teachers; speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy or counseling; inclusion services and specialized instruction in a small group pull-out model. We also have substantially separate programs where students are taught by a Special Education teacher more than 80% of their day. These specialized programs include classrooms for students with autism and/or intensive needs (Preschool -Grade 2; grades 3-6; grades 7 through 9; and a post -graduate program); and social and emotional/behavioral issues through inclusion and a flexible service delivery model (grades K-2; 3-6; and 8 through 12). Older High School students attending the "Transitions" post- graduate program participate in pre -vocational activities including running the High School's School store and "The Falcon Cafe", where they practiced customer service skills through selling coffee and baked goods on Friday mornings. They also designed brochures for their business, designed and ordered custom clothing, and sold them to staff and students. In addition, the Mashpee Middle/ High School offers targeted instruction through ELA Labs and Math Labs at each grade level. Students are included with their peers in the general education classroom to the greatest extent possible where they can make effective progress. Our goal is to serve most of our students with disabilities in an inclusive setting with proper accommodations and support as needed to enable these students to make effective progress. Special Education and Early Childhood Services During the 2015-2016 school year, 102 Kindergarten children were screened resulting in 2 referrals for further evaluation and consequently eligibility for special education. Mashpee's preschool program screened 64 children which resulted in 2 referrals for a special education evaluation of which one became eligible. The community screenings yielded 11 children for screening with 4 initial referrals and subsequent eligibility for special education. The preschool staff also evaluated 11 students who were referred from Early Intervention. Of these students, 7 were determined to need special education. The Mashpee Public Schools offered a free universal preschool program to all four year old students who live in Mashpee. Through a lottery system, many of these students were able to attend a five day full day program. By the end of the 2015-2016 school year, our preschool included 92 children ages 3- 5. The total preschool enrollment included 35 Special Education students as well as 57 "typical" preschool children. The Administrator of Special Education met regularly with other early childhood coordinators and the Cape Cod Child Development agency which provides early intervention to young students and refers them to the Mashpee Public Schools Special Education Department. Special Education Extended Year Program During the summer of 2016, Mashpee Public School District's Special Education Department provided extended school year services (ESY) to approximately 50 students. ESY is designed to meet the needs of eligible students in order to prevent substantial regression of skills over the summer break. Services varied according to the students' needs with most students attending three days per week in either a four or five week program running from July 19th to August 18th. Special Education Out of District Programs The Mashpee Public School District is a member of the Cape Cod Collaborative. Collaboratives are formed to provide special education services for public school districts. The Special Education Administrator attended monthly advisory meetings to provide guidance and input into program planning. The Cape Cod Collaborative has two sites for its educational programs: one program for students with emotional issues currently housed at the Otis Air Force Base, and another program located in Osterville which provides education for younger students with emotional issues and for students of all ages with medical issues, intellectual impairments and autism. In addition, the Collaborative provides related services needed such as occupational, physical therapy, speech and language 152