Kai Byrd's Special Services Annual Report to the Orange CT Board of Education on February 10, 2014. The report outlines the department's accomplishments, goals, and planned action steps.

1. Department of Special Services
BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENTATION
FEBRUARY 10, 2014

2. Mission Statement
THE ORANGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
DISTRICT RECOGNIZES THAT THE
EDUCATION OF EACH CHILD IS THE SHARED
RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNITY.
OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER
EACH STUDENT TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE, EMBRACE SOCIAL AND
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND LEAD
WITH INTEGRITY. WE BELIEVE ALL
INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE VALUED AND
TREATED WITH RESPECT.

3. Highlights
 Certified Youth Mental Health First Aide
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Responders
Implementation of the CCSS into IEP
development
Department Meetings
Expansion of ESY – 6 weeks
Improved paraprofessional PD
Expanded Preschool Program
Transitions

4. Paraprofessionals
 Expansion of professional development
 Professionalism
 Creating Independent Learners
 Special Education
 ELL
 Math Expressions Support

5. Transitions
 Special education teachers have been working closely
with the Amity Middle School staff to provide for
smoother transitions for students and families.

6. Expanded Preschool Program
 Fee-based program
 Four sections
 1 class for 3 year old students
 3 classes for 4 year old students
 Increases opportunities for early childhood
education within our schools.
 Fall 2014 Projections
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Accepted 14 students for our morning 3 year old classes
Accepter 12 students for our afternoon 4 year old classes
Expanded the time of each session from 2.5 hours to 3 hours

7. Student Learning Goals
OUR ACADEMIC TARGETS

8. Department Reading SLO
 Using the STAR Early Literacy tool as an indicator,
80% students in primary grades (PK-1) will increase
their scale scores by at least one performance band
by May of 2014.
 Using the STAR Literacy tool as an indicator, 80% of
the students in grades two through six will increase
their scaled scores by at least one performance band
by May of 2014.

9. Department Rationale
This goal is aligned with the Orange Public Schools Mission
Statement which is to inspire and empower each student to
achieve academic excellence and provide powerful academic
challenges. The department fully embraces the concept that all
children can learn and should have the opportunity to reach their
individual maximum potential.
 A strong foundation in reading is needed for success in future
grades
 Student performance data for the fall benchmark screenings
revealed that more than 70% of students obtained a scale score
below grade level expectations.


10. Department Mathematics SLO
 Using the District MEX Benchmark assessment as an
indicator, 80% students in primary grades (PK-1)
will increase their scale scores by at least one
performance band by May of 2014.
 Using the District MEX Benchmark as an indicator,
80% of the students in grades two through six will
increase their scaled scores by at least one
performance band by May of 2014.

11. Department Rationale
This goal is aligned with the Orange Public Schools Mission
Statement which is to inspire and empower each student to
achieve academic excellence and provide powerful academic
challenges. The department fully embraces the concept that all
children can learn and should have the opportunity to reach their
individual maximum potential.
 A strong foundation in mathematics is needed for success in future
grades
 Student performance data for the fall benchmark screenings
revealed that more than 70% of students obtained a scale score
below grade level expectations.


12. Action Steps
 Special education teachers are participating in the
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grade level data team process.
Math and ELA consultants are participating in the
weekly special education meetings in the schools.
Special education teachers are participating in PD
with their regular education colleagues.
Providing staff with the appropriate resources to
meet student needs.
Monthly department meetings to ensure consistency
across the district.

13. Student Feedback Goals
OUR STUDENTS ARE MEMBERS OF SCHOOL
COMMUNITIES.
THEREFORE, OUR STUDENT FEEDBACK
GOALS ARE BASED ON THE GOALS SET IN
THE INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS.

14. Parent Feedback Goal
DATA REVIEW
GOALS
RATIONALE
ACTION STEPS

15. Data Review
 58% of parents say that there are either no parent
trainings or information sessions regarding special
education provided by the school district or that they
had no information about what was available.
 65.7% of parents say there is either no support
network for parents of students with disabilities
available through the school district or other
resources or that they had no information about
what was available.

16. Department Parent Feedback Goals
 During the 2013-2014 school year, parent
participation in training workshops will increase
by 8% (from 42%to 50%)
 During the 2013-2014 school year, parent
awareness of resources available to parents and
families of individuals with disabilities will
increase by 11% (from 34%to 45%)

17. Rationale
 Research shows that when parents are informed and
educated about available resources for students with
disabilities they are more likely to participate in the
educational planning process.
 Parent survey data indicates that more than 50% of the
parents indicate that they do not have the opportunities
to access resources in the community because they lack
information about what is available.
 Parent survey data indicated that more than 50% of the
parents would like to training and information on topics
related to students with disabilities.

18. Action Steps
Provide workshops for parents to receive training in strategies to
address specific needs related to their child’s
disability/development that they can use in the home to support
their child’s academic, social and emotional growth.
 Create a parent resource center that provides information on
community agencies available as a support network for parents
with students with disabilities.
 Develop a committee, involving parents, in the creation of the next
parent survey.
 Monthly communications to parents containing information
related to children with disabilities.
 Serve as a building/family resource by attending PTO/PTA
meetings in each school to discuss resources, services and
supports available through the district and in the community.


19. Alignment
Director’s 1 – 3 – 5
1 - Goal:

During the 2013-2014 school year, parent awareness of
resources available to parents and families of individuals with
disabilities will increase by 11% (from 34%to 45%)
3 - Reasons for the Goal:

Research shows that when parents are informed and educated
about available resources for students with disabilities they are
more likely to participate in the educational planning process.

Parent survey data indicates that more than 50% of the parents
indicate that they do not have the opportunities to access
resources in the community because they lack information
about what is available.

Parent survey data indicated that more than 50% of the parents
would like to training and information on topics related to
students with disabilities.
5 - Action Steps for the Goal:

Provide workshops for parents

Create a parent resource center

Develop a committee, involving parents, in the creation of the
next parent survey.

Monthly communications to parents

Serve as a building/family resource by attending PTO/PTA
meetings.
Teacher’s 1 – 3 -- 5
1 - Goal:

I will send home a monthly communication to parents
containing information related to children with
disabilities.
3 - Reasons for the Goal:

District parent feedback data indicates that parents would
like to learn more about special education.

PPT meetings and IEP development are more efficient
when parents are informed.

Informed parents are more likely to participate more in
academic planning which leads to greater student success.
5 - Action Steps for the Goal:

Create a flyer/communication informing parents of the
newsletter.

Subscribe to the CPAC mailing list in order to receive
current information to share with parents.

Review and summarize scientific literature and research
related to students with disabilities to share with parents.

Partner with a local community service agency to provide
parents with information on community resources (ex.
High Plains or Milford Park & Rec)

Attend a PTO/PTA meeting and share information on
available resources in the school and community.

20. CELEBRATIONS!!

21. Integrated PreSchool

22. Technology Integration
Technology Tuesday
Morning Meeting

23. Community Connections
Office Kosh & Max
Mystery Reader

24. Family Connections
http://www.mltprek.blogspot.com/

25. CELEBRATIONS!!

26. Collaboration Counts

27. Collaboration Counts

28. Legal Disclaimer
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS
NEWSLETTER HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU
STRICTLY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. THE ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION
DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY OF THE
RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, GOOD OR SERVICES
REFERENCED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

29. Parent
Response…
We would like to thank
you again for all your
helpful special education
newsletter . We took Raja
on Sunday to the "Leitner
family observatory and
Planetarium "at Yale
University. It was not
crowded and we have all
enjoyed the movie. Raja
behavior was amazingly
appropriate like his little
sisters.
We all look forward for
your next newsletter :)
your guidance and
support are always
sincerely appreciated by
our family .
Gia

30. The Orange Elementary
School District recognizes
that the education of each
child is the shared
responsibility of every
member of the
community.
Our goal is to inspire and
empower each student to
achieve academic
excellence, embrace social
and individual
responsibility, and lead
with integrity. We believe
all individuals should be
valued and treated with
respect.
Thank you for your continued
support of our students, staff and
families.