november 11, parent meeting
TRANSCRIPT
MILTON MILTON
SPECIAL EDUCATION SPECIAL EDUCATION
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCILPARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Milton SEPACEducate • Advocate • Participate
Chairperson Michelle ConnollyVice Chairperson Ann Finnegan Secretary Kevin Lenane Treasurer Doug Connolly
Members at LargeNorah Ferry Linda ManciniShannon Gallagher Amanda SerioClare Keating Jerry Vitti
SEPAC Board 2014-2015
The Milton Special Education Parent Advisory
Council (Milton SEPAC) is a parent run, nonprofit
organization in Milton, Massachusetts dedicated
to providing information, support and advocacy to
families with children with special needs and/or
learning disabilities in the Milton Public Schools.
Who Are We?
• Advise the district on matters that pertain to the
education and safety of students with disabilities,
professional development and parent concerns,
• Meet regularly with school officials to
participate in the planning, development, and
evaluation of the school district’s special education
programs,
What we do
• Provide educational/informational forums to
parents, educators, students and professionals,
and
• Promote communication and programs within the
community to encourage understanding,
acceptance and inclusion of special needs children.
What we do
We strive to make a difference in the lives of students with special needs by:
• providing families support, information and training on the special education process, and laws that govern their child’s right to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment,
• networking and sharing resources to better support our children’s needs,
• working in partnership with the school district to create and improve positive outcomes for students with disabilities,
• promoting education, communication and programs within our community
Our Mission
Oct
1st
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
IEPs
604
625
600
592
609
629
646
649
580
538
564
OOD
79
68
71
59
56
51
44
49
51
45
47
504s
~28
72
178
*Total
MPS
3594
3651
3724
3768
3876
3952
3921
3886
3934
3944
4064
MPS Students on IEPs & 504s
*DESE report
What kinds of disabilities do Milton students have?
Disability MPS Disability M
PS
Communication
105 Neurological 4
0*
Specific Learning Disability
96*
Developmental Delay (3-9 years)
46
Health 76 Intellectual 3
4*
Autism 65* Physical 4
Emotional 41*
Sensory-Hearing 5
Sensory-Vision 4
*Additional students in Out-of-District placements
SEPAC Self-Examination
SEPAC • District • Community
Educate • Advocate • Participate
SEPAC Self-Examination
Successes ~ Challenges
Have to’s ~ Want to’s
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
• Strengthen Infrastructure
• Improve Communication
• Increase PAC Membership
• Advocacy and Advisory Participation
#1 Priority
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
Strengthen Infrastructure
Strengthen Infrastructure
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
• Restructure organization to meet MA guidelines to serve as operational SEPAC, revise bylaws to reflect changes• Develop more interactive website with links to essential services, programs and community events• Establish clear goals and objectives for school calendar year with deadlines to meet,• Create committee structure to effectively address various goals/needs in special education,• Increase participation in school committee and administrative meetings,• Solicit volunteer support from students and community
• Update MPS Special Education Programs and Supports and district’s SPED policies
• Clearly establish/update district contact information in all communication materials,
• Work collaboratively with district SPED office to provide clear resources to parents,
• Meet monthly with the Administrator of Pupil Personnel
• Design communications to be more interactive
Improve Communication
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
• Revise and update website, program materials and resources
• Provide current calendar of events, links to local and community presentations
• Increase PAC listserv of parents • Share information about PAC events/meetings
in school newsletters and other publications• Provide child care at monthly PAC meetings
Increase SEPAC Membership
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
• Identify areas that need attention/compliance to State and Federal special education laws,• Work collaboratively with district on special
educational issues, upcoming special educational initiatives and policies,• Serve as a liaison between parents/guardians and
school officials to encourage better understanding and communication on SPED issues,• Advise school committee and administration on
development of special education programs, parent, and teacher training needs
Advocacy & Advisory Participation
2014-2015 Goals & Objectives
2014-2015 Advocacy/Advisory Priorities
•Addressing the Achievement Gap in SPED
- Addressing the Achievement Gap in Special Education, Sept. 2014
www.miltonps.org/documents/AddressingtheAchievementGap14.pdf
- Addressing the Achievement Gap: Follow up presentation, Oct 2014
www.miltonps.org/documents/AddressingtheAchievementGap-FOLLOWUP.pdf
•Extended School Year (ESY) services- Extended day services
•Social/Emotional Curriculum
•Co-taught classroom viability- English program/French CAP
• Website
• Communications
• Education
• Advocacy/Advisory
• Community Outreach
2014-2015 Proposed Committees
SEPAC Calendar/Events
11/4 7pm SEPAC Parent Session
11/5 7pm Citizen’s Speak
11/14 12N Monthly Mtg w/Karen Clasby
11/18 7pm SEPAC Board Mtg
12/2 7pm SEPAC Parent Workshop
SEPAC Member Feedback
Workshops District
Issues
Training
Committees
Restructuring
Volunteering
Milton SEPACEducate • Advocate • Participate
Thank
You!