special education survey barnstable public schools september 17 – october 2, 2012

Special Education Survey

Barnstable Public SchoolsSeptember 17 – October 2, 2012

Overview

Barnstable Public Schools invited parents of students with disabilities to take a survey in order to gather feedback on the following topics related to their child’s education:

Communication Issues Teacher/Staff Training Evaluation Process IEP Development Progress Reporting Program Evaluation Future Planning

The following report presents survey results.

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Participation Rate

Seven hundred fifty-four parents with children receiving Special Education services were mailed the survey. Two hundred seventeen parents responded to paper surveys available at their child’s school resulting in a twenty-nine percent response rate. Those surveys were then given to K12 Insight for analysis.

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RespondingGroup

Number of Responses

(n)

Max Possible Responses

(Nmax)

ResponseRate (%)

Parents 217 754 29%

Communication IssuesI feel that I have been fully informed by the school regarding my own and my child's legal rights in the TEAM evaluation process and IEP development (Annual Parents' Rights Notice of Procedural Safeguards).

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Communication Issues

I feel that I am able to effectively communicate with all of my child's teachers, special and general education. (“Effectively” means an open exchange of information, responsive to communication and appropriately follows-up).

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Communication Issues

I feel adequate provisions were made for outside assessments of my child’s educational needs that go beyond the expertise of the school staff (e.g., blind, cerebral palsy and deaf).

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Communication Issues

As a parent, I received sufficient information and training from the school as a means of understanding my child's Special Educational needs.

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Teacher/Staff Training

I believe that Special Education topics should be a requirement for both regular and Special Education staff's professional development at all levels of education.

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Teacher/Staff Training

It has been my experience that my child's IEP modifications and recommendations have been effectively communicated and implemented between appropriate regular education and Special Education staff.

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Evaluation Process

I feel that the school assessed my child's educational needs accurately.

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Evaluation Process

If your child had an Independent Evaluation, due consideration was given to the report/evaluation.

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Evaluation Process

When discussing your child's IEP during a Team Meeting, do you feel there is appropriate and understandable data to facilitate the discussion?

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IEP Development

My child's IEP goals and objectives were collaboratively written before placement and services were discussed.

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IEP Development

My child's IEP specifies the teaching methodologies and approaches to be utilized in meeting my child's educational objectives.

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IEP Development

My child's IEP states his/her current performance or skill level in measureable terms (measurable terms = 3rd grade level percentiles or test scores; non-measurable terms = low average).

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Progress Reporting

I receive my child's IEP Progress Reports as often as I receive report cards.

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Progress Reporting

I receive my child's IEP Progress Reports in measureable terms (measurable terms = achieved goal with 80% accuracy; non-measurable terms = slow progress).

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Program Evaluation

Do you feel your child's programs and services are effectively addressing his/her educational needs? Please give examples of benefits and list names of programs and services.

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Program Evaluation

My child has the support necessary to effectively participate in non-academic opportunities (Junior Great Books, Odyssey of the Mind, Science Club, after-school intramurals, recreational after-school activities, Future Problem Solvers of America, etc.).

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Future Planning

Would you like to be involved in evaluating or providing feedback of Special Education programs in Barnstable Public Schools?

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General Questions

Generally, how would you rate your satisfaction of education in the Barnstable Public Schools?

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General Questions

Do you think that the Barnstable Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) provides a valuable service to the community? Please provide comments on areas that would be useful for you or would add greater value for you and your family.

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General Questions

I am interested in participating in the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and would like to know more about how to get involved.

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Open Response QuestionsThe Special Education survey contained comment sections following each question. A total of 692 verbatim responses were collected. The number of verbatim responses are noted next to each question’s topic below.

Informed legal rights (n=22) Effective communication (n=47) Outside assessments (n=16) Parent training support and information

regarding needs of students (n=31) Professional Development for both general

education and special education teachers (n=27)

IEP modifications communicated effectively (n=40)

Assessed student needs accurately (n=41) Considered independent evaluation (n=21) Reason for independent evaluation (n=69) Information and participation in SEPAC

(n=59) Appropriate data was used during IEP

(n=32) IEP written collaboratively (n=28)

IEP specifies teaching methods (n=24) IEP has current performance in measurable

terms (n=28) IEP Progress Reports are provided as often

as report cards (n=22) IEP Progress Reports are given in

measurable terms (n=6) Special education services and programs

with examples (n=81) Support for non-academic opportunities

(n=37) Participate in future planning of SPED

programs (n=20) Overall satisfaction with education (n=62) SEPAC valuable service (n=38) Contact for more information (n=59)

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