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Aurora City Schools. Special Education Best Practice Summary & Recommendations. Today’s presentation. Review of Best Practice Analysis Review of Similar Districts Recommendations/Goals. Best Practice Process . Outside Audits Bobbe Miller – Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
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Aurora City Schools Special Education Best Practice Summary & Recommendations
Today’s presentation Review of Best Practice Analysis Review of Similar Districts Recommendations/Goals
Best Practice Process Outside Audits Bobbe Miller – Squire, Sanders & Dempsey Reviewed procedural issues Therese Johnston – Independent Consultant Programming Ohio Department of Education Technical assistance – targeted issues Parent Input Focus Group Parent Survey Parent Advisory Meeting Staff Input Surveys Regular Staff meetings Topic Specific Research Includes information from ODE regarding student achievement
Areas Reviewed Student Evaluations IEP Development** Curriculum* Instructional Activities & Methods** Instructional Environments Progress Monitoring* Personnel Parent Teacher Relationship* Funding Related Issues * identified as most important by parent focus group ** identified as least important by parent focus group
Strengths Instructional Activities & Methods Opportunities to practice skills across multiple environments Visual and technological supports available Updated methodologies Educational Environment Building atmosphere & awareness of need to accommodate Access to range of programs Willingness to accommodate all students Staffing Level of training and professionalism of special education staff Good staff to student ratio – particularly with more intensively involved students
Opportunities for Improvement Progress Monitoring & Program Modification Improve data driven decision making IEP Development Tie more closely to evaluations and data Target goals and objective to learning needs Transition activities between programs and buildings Curriculum Implement Functional and Social Skills curriculum for students with more significant needs Evaluations (Multi-factored) More synthesis of information Staffing Currently at state minimums in staff to student ratio for students in mild/moderate categories Need to improve coordination with general education staff to increase follow through
Area Districts – Special Education Achievement Measures* When compared to 22 other area and similar districts, Aurora ranks within the top 3 districts when considering overall performance Tied with Rocky River Chagrin, & Solon have more Weakest areas according to 05-06 data were 4th, 7th, & 8th grade math 4th grade writing & reading OGT social studies
Public Report of Local Education Agency Performance • Less than ½ of comparison districts met AYP for the Special Education subgroup • Aurora among best for graduation and drop-out rates • Aurora’s overall math and reading scores were among the strongest • Will achieve 100% student rate of IEPs in place by third birthday for this coming year • Need to continue to improve on least restrictive environment for both preschool and school age
Comparison to other districts** • Aurora’s cost per general education student was $9411 in FY 06 • Aurora’s cost per special education student was $9053 according to ODE excess cost report
Funding Information Sources • Aurora City Schools website www.aurora-schools.org Click Departments Tab – Select Fiscal Funding Our Schools • ODE (Ohio Dept. of Education) Website: www.ode.state.oh.us • SF-3 • Special Education Fiscal Accountability Report • CCIP – IDEA-B funding
Goal setting to continue improvement Meet with building Principals to review information in more detail and set a building plan Work through Math Curriculum review to identify ways to improve scores in this area Provide Training for School Psychologists to define ways to better synthesize information on MFEs Curriculum review for moderate/intensive interventionists to address functional and social needs Continue building level PLCs – focus on improving instruction Work with Preschool Staff to meet New Early Learning Program Initiative Goals (required by State of Ohio)
Questions? • Discussion