Mathews County Public Schools SPECIAL EDUCATION & FEDERAL PROGRAMS Focus Areas 2013-2014 PERSONNEL Objective ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY PERSONNEL Strategy Maintain a Quality Recruitment Process 1. Recruit for diversity in all job categories Interviewed and hired candidates for Federal Programs Assistant Hired M. Shipley 2. Encourage student teacher opportunities Posted on website 3. Recruit within community Posted on website Strategy Improve/Align Practices 1. Harmonize Mark of Excellence evaluation procedures with multiple student measures of progress 2. Conduct Bloom s Taxonomy training 3. Central office will conduct classroom and principal observations 4. Implement annual goals based on Division Focus Areas with measurable student progress TTAC WM Reading Institute LJES SURN LJES SIM PD MHS/THMS SPED Dept Mtgs. - Completed Scheduled for Jan/Feb 2014 - Completed special education teachers have personal measurable goals based on the IEP goals of their student caseloads Completed LJ,TH,MHS,G,SE C, SE LJ,TH, MHS,GE,SE Strategy Implement Motivational and Appreciation Strategies 1. Refine and recognize mentor teachers program C 2. Share staff expertise and successes Sped Department Mtgs - Completed 3. Recognize volunteers Thrifty Spot annual appreciation luncheon June 2014 - TBD 4. Recognize and reward staff for best practices 1. Sped Department Mtgs for teacher recognition - Completed 2. L. Douglas Wider School of Government and Public Affairs: Excellence in Virginia Government
Awards : 2013 Community Enhancement Award: The Thrifty Spot December 5, 2013 5. Encourage staff communication/relationships 1. Sped Department Mtgs - On-going 2. Leadership Staff Meetings - On-going 3. On-going communication with all school administrations, guidance, and teaching staff Ongoing Strategy Continue to seek Competitive Salaries and Benefits 1. Inform and involve teacher, parent, and citizen groups in compensation needs C 2. Continue tuition reimbursement practices C 3. Encourage educational projects that include licensure points and additional endorsement areas C 4. Always include at least a step increase in the budget each year C
Mathews County Public Schools SPECIAL EDUCATION & FEDERAL PROGRAMS Focus Areas 2012-2013 INSTRUCTION Objective PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION IN FULLY ACCREDITED SCHOOLS Strategy Implement Best Practices to Increase Student Achievement 1. Continue plans to target subgroups / Putting a Name to the Number 2. Implement new benchmark system 3. Follow SACS CASI schools improvement model 4. Lesson design will follow tenants of the Mathews Mark of Excellence and include ACE/Differentiation strategies 5. Provide alternatives to regular classroom setting 6. Parental Involvement (Added 1-2014) 1. Read 180/System 44 implementation THMS, LJES and MHS 2014-15 implementation 2. Personal Finance and Economics AB Course MHS (an accommodation for SWD) - Completed 3. Snap & Read text-to-speech software implementation MHS - Completed Implemented within school-based programs Completed & On-going Implemented within school-based programs On-going Part of the Special Education teachers formal observations - Completed special education teachers make use of differentiated groupings within their caseloads- Completed 1. Title 1 sponsored Read and Succeed, a professional development series for all parents of Title 1 students, special education students, and students referred to the Reading Garden. January 21 st, January 28 th, and February 4 th Christine Tomcany, Reading Specialist LJES - Completed 2. School Board approved Title 1 Parent Involvement Policy that includes parents on the School Improvement Team at LJES - Completed 3. Special Education Advisory Committee meets quarterly to consider the updates from MCPS Special Education Department and makes recommendation and expresses concerns - Completed 4. MC Parent Resource Center is under construction to adapt to lack of funding issues and changing needs of our parent population Received grant funding from VDOE which allowed us to hire B. Ettner, new PRC Coordinator. LJ, TH, MHS, SE LJ, TH, MHS, SE LJ, MHS, TH, SE, G SE, Title 1
Strategy Enhance Learning Opportunities 3. Invite business leaders to speak throughout the school year 4. Expand opportunities for dual enrollment / AP courses Strategy Provide Quality Staff Development 1. Offer teacher requested courses/workshops (face to face and online) 2. Utilize student data to plan workshops 3. Use existing staff to provide training on successful models/implementation Partnership with MML renewed and she is working out of MML three afternoons per week. NOTE: ALL Special Education teachers participate in their respective schoolbased professional development opportunities - Completed Special Education teacher requested: 1. TTAC Pre-school professional development and coaching Completed & On-going (TTAC meeting in August 2014 to train on pre-k curriculum) 2. Strategy swaps at special education department meetings - Completed 3. Strategic Instruction Model: Content Enhancement Routines The Unit Organizer professional development MHS/THMS - Completed Three sessions during 2013-14 school year 1. Gain input from special educations monthly at department meetings Completed & On-going 2. Read 180/System 44 program review in January and June 2014 Completed & On-going 1. Special Education teachers at THMS and LJES demonstrated behavior and instructional strategies used with their students - Completed & On-going 2. Director of Special Education conducted Strategic Instruction Model Training - Completed 3. Director of Special Education delivering at January 2014 Special Education Department meeting : Unlock Reading Comprehension: Writing is the Key - Postponed due to weather related school closing 4. Gloucester County PS special education staff will present a professional development opportunity to MCPS special education staff on Traumatic Brain Injury. This is tentatively scheduled for March 21, 2014 - Postponed due to weather related school closing Rescheduled for November 3, 2014 C, MHS
4. Gifted and Special Ed. will conduct training on required state competencies. Strategy Encourage Enthusiasm and Personal Responsibility for Learning 1. Counselors and teachers will conduct home visits to struggling students 2. Continue partnerships with civic groups to recognize student successes 3. Provide collaborative planning time for teachers to plan motivating lessons 4. Collaborate with MP-NN CSB Therapeutic Day Treatment behavioral counselors 1. Completed Twice Exceptional professional development during the 2011 2012 school year - Completed 2. Twice Exceptionality is revisited annually with special education teachers when the Special Education Handbook is reviewed Completed Special Education teachers participate in their school-based recognition programs and initiatives - Completed Co-planning build into master schedules at each school and encouraged to be used for such planning - Completed & On-going 1.Director of Special Education meets in January and June 2014 to conduct a program review of TDT at each of the schools - Completed 2. Director of Special Education and School Psychologist in regular communication with TDT counselors - Completed & On-going 3. Director of Special Education and Director of MP-NNCSB Social Services to determine avenues to better fund TDT - Completed & On-going Provided Youth & Family services non-medicaid eligible student names for a summer camp opportunity. 4 MCPS students enrolled and attended G, SE LJ, TH, MHS LJ, TH, MHS, SE LJ, TH, MHS, SE Strategy Encourage Wellness and Emotional Intelligence 1. The wellness committee will report to the board C 2. Continue partnerships with Boys & Girls Club and YMCA LJ, TH, MHS 3. Cafeteria will implement new regulatory healthy choices and Food Service portions Strategy Promote Citizenship 1. Recognize community service LJ, TH, MHS 2. Citizenship award LJ,TH,MHS SE
5. Add students to advisory committees Strategy Prepare Students for Life after High School 1. Emphasize career/college awareness 2. Educate parents and students on new graduation/diploma requirements Strategy Evaluate Effectiveness of Instructional Programs TBD Director of Special Education, MHS administration, MHS Guidance, and Special Education teachers meet 1 st semester to understand and begin to develop course offerings to support the new diploma options for students with disabilities. Completed & On-going Assistant Superintendent, Director of Special Education, MHS administration and Guidance staff will tentatively present the new diploma options at February 2014 Leadership Staff meeting Presentation will be delivered July 24, 2014 at the School Board Retreat - Completed & On-going ALL C, TH, MHS, SE TH, MHS, C, SE 1. IXL (Math) TH, SE 2. Scholastic reading intervention programs, Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) TH, SE 3. SOL progress, benchmarks VAAP collections passed ALL 4. Stanford Testing G 5. STAR Reading & Math LJ, TH, SE 6. Keymath LJ, SE 7. PALS to include Pre-K PALs LJ, SE 8. CTE Certifications TH, MHS 9. OTIS LENNON G 10. Interactive Achievement SE 11. Class of 2014 7 Graduate 4 Standard Diplomas; 1 Modified Diploma; 2 Special Diplomas SE
Mathews County Public Schools SPECIAL EDUCATION & FEDERAL PROGRAMS Focus Areas 2012-2013 COMMUNICATION Objective ENSURE ALL SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE INFORMED OF GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Strategy Maintain Excellent Relationships with the Media 1. Invite media to scheduled meetings and special events 2. Develop school articles for press release Strategy Involve Parents in the Child s Learning Process 1. Utilize AlertNow to remind parents of events/deadlines 2. Expand the use of PowerSchool to increase communication with Parents & Students LJ, TH, MHS, SE 3. Use school-based surveys Strategy Market the School Division and Mathews County 1. Improve informational brochure/website C 2. Explore recruitment of students C Strategy Involve Governing Bodies in the life of the School System 1. Share Focus Areas with local board members C 2. Invite local and state officials to special events Strategy Improve and Utilize the School Division Website 1. Add good news on the website Strategy Develop plans to involve Senior Citizens with school events 1. Implement a Senior Walk DAY MHS 2. Explore Grandparents nights, Lunches, etc. LJ,TH,MHS
Mathews County Public Schools Focus Areas 2012-2013 FACILITIES Objective PROVIDE STELLAR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Strategy Implement Best Safety Practices 1. Update crisis procedures (CPI) 2. Conduct annual safety audit reports 3. Ensure compliance with ADA requirements 4. Utilize SAFESCHOOLS OnLine Training Strategy Develop a Capital Improvement Plan 1. Review long and short term needs from each school/department C