BOE CSDE Site Visit Presentation 9.10.24

Colchester CSDE Special
 Education Site Visit
 Summary of Findings to BOE: 9/10/24
        Overview of csde integrated monitoring Process
★   CSDE Integrated Monitoring Process for school districts
★   Audit and Site Visit from team from CSDE and SERC in
    February, 2024
★   Key components included:
    ○   Desk Audit
    ○   Unannounced on-site visit to all 4 schools
    ○   Classroom observations
    ○   Staff interviews
    ○   Parent interviews (collected by CPAC)
             Highlights of Component 1: desk audit
★   IEP documents for a random selection of Colchester
    students receiving special education services were
    reviewed.
★   Commendations included:
    ○   Fidelity of provision of IEP services were successfully verified for
        100% of selected students
    ○   Key timelines for annual and triennial reviews were met, in
        accordance with state requirements
    ○   Prior Written Notice (PWN) documents: completed correctly, with
        overall quality of narrative information receiving the highest
        possible rating
★   Recommendations for continued department focus were
    provided (see final slide)
    Highlights of component 2: school/classroom visits
★   Pride of school staff and administrative team in our
    schools evident to team
★   Use of best practices in specialized program classrooms
    highlighted
★   Paraeducators commended for positive student interactions
    and appropriate use of prompting
★   Collaboration of special education teachers and general
    education teachers noted
★   Students with IEPs meaningfully integrated into classroom
    instruction
         Highlights of component 3: staff interviews
★   Paraeducators, teachers, and administrators were
    interviewed.
★   Themes identified:
    ○   Staff feel supported by administration and pleased with vision of the
        school district
    ○   Paraeducators feel valued by their teaching colleagues
    ○   Staff feel they have adequate resources to perform their duties
    ○   Valuable feedback on future professional development and training
        topics were shared
    ○   Pupil Services staff spoke of challenges of their multi-faceted roles
    ○   Importance of attracting and retaining quality educators was noted.
        (All certified special education staffing positions were filled in
        July 2024. We remain fully staffed at present.)
        Highlights of component 4: Parent Interviews
★   CSDE utilized support from CPAC to conduct parent
    interviews: 16 families participated of 192 who were
    contacted
★   Highlights of feedback:
    ○   100% say staff members respond to parent contact in a timely manner
    ○   92% of parents say communication with school regarding special
        education services for their child is effective
    ○   85% report being asked for their input during PPT meetings
    ○   83% say their child consistently receives the supports/services in
        their IEP
    ○   75% are satisfied with their child’s supports/services overall
    ○   46% feel that the information/evaluative data presented in PPT
        meetings is easy to understand
                      Key takeaways/next steps:
★   Department focus for school year is meaningful access for
    families in the PPT and special education process
    ○   Streamlined & consistent anchor documents for meetings
    ○   Provision of documents/opportunity to ask questions in advance of
        meeting to come prepared for meaningful participation
    ○   Parent outreach/collaboration/support
★   Professional development for staff
    ○   In accordance with staff feedback: IEP development, specialized
        reading methodology/instruction, student engagement, positive
        behavioral supports
★   Staff appreciation, support and wellness