Special Programs Improvement Plan 2002

Year One

District Vision

"High academic achievement and character development for all students: staff, parents, students and community working together to invest in our future."

District Mission

"The mission of the Greater Albany Public School District is to ensure high academic success for all students by focusing on standards, promoting character development, retaining exceptional staff, emphasizing safety, and fostering community partnerships."

Special Programs Mission

"Creating an environment for special programs staff to embrace high standards for all students. Insuring that all students are given the needed support to be fulfilled and productive adults."

Summary of Goals

Goal 1: To create and develop positive relationships within the district and community to ensure student success and safety.

Community Relationships: Priority Targets

1.1 Education and Training for Agencies and School District Personnel

1.2 Services from the Community to GAPS 8j

1.3 Services or Coordination of Services to the Community from GAPS 8j

Goal 2: To increase parent involvement, knowledge & participation in the Special Education Process

Parent Involvement: Priority Targets

2.1 Parent Training; Increase Parent Knowledge of Special Education Process

2.2 Improve Communication Between School and Parents (family members, care-provider, guardian).

Goal 3: To increase student participation in the Special Education process with a focus on student achievement

Student Participation & Achievement

3.1 Mentoring—Students Connecting with Others to Develop Appropriate Relationships

3.2 Vocational, community, Alternative Programs--Implementation

3.3 Increase Understanding of Disabilities

3.4 Systems: How to Use for Best Results

Goal 4: To increase efficiency in all technical areas of Special Education

Technical Group

4.1 Evaluating Staffing Needs In All Areas

4.2 Clearly Define All Special Education Processes, Policies, Procedures

4.3 Define Continuums of Placements at All Levels of IEP Service Delivery

4.4 Establish A More Efficient Service Delivery Relationship with Regional Services/ESD

4.5 Increase Behavior Support Capacity at the Building Level

4.6 Increase Care Team Efficiency and Service Delivery

Priority Target: 1.1 Education & Training for Agencies and School District Personnel

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
1.1a The School District will collaborate with all SPIP agencies to develop trainings for Agency and District personnel.	a. Survey agencies for areas of interest or need for training/information in the following areas: ¨ Behavioral ¨ Technical ¨ Autism ¨ Parent a. Plan and schedule trainings during the school year.	GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Special Programs Department	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 1.2 Services from the Community to GAPS

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
1.2a Develop interagency release form. 1.2b Coordinate inter-agency & District activity calendars with Private Schools 1.2c Provide information to schools about member-ships or scholarships to the YMCA, Boy & Girls Club, and Parks & Rec. 1.2d Develop Hard copy list of eligibility criteria and process of accessing agency services.	a. Gather copies of release forms from agencies. b. Coordinate information about activities between GAPS, agencies & private schools to include dates of school meetings, activities. c. Develop a process for disseminating information about memberships and scholarships from agencies. c. Develop mailing list of Special Ed teachers in district. d. Obtain lists from DHS, DD, AFS, Linn Co Juvenile, Linn Co MH and access points. d. Collaborate with above agencies to create packets for School District Personnel & families.	GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Special Programs Department and participating private schools. GAPS Special Programs Department and involved agencies. GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Special Programs Department and involved agencies. GAPS Special Programs Department and involved agencies	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 1.3 Services or Coordination of Services to the Community from GAPS Page 1 of 2

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
1.3a Explore transportation opportunities with Private schools. 1.3b Coordinate a review of needs of IDEA students in private schools. 1.3c Help coordinate community and school resources.	a. Annual meeting between GAPS & Private schools. a. Checking other districts’ agreements regarding transportation. b. Meeting and review of Census for students in private school. b. Development of student needs assessment vs. funds available. c. Coordinate the process for generating a list of needs and resources c. Develop a comprehensive list of agencies and what they can provide	GAPS Special Programs Department and participating private schools GAPS Special Programs Department and participating private schools GAPS Special Programs Department and participating agencies GAPS Special Programs Department and participating agencies	Fall and Spring of 2002-03 Fall and Spring of 2002-03 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 1.3 Services or Coordination of Services to the Community from GAPS Page 2 of 2

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
1.3a For IDEA students, upon registration, develop list of questions to identify other agencies involved 1.3b Referral process for GAPS to refer students to outside agencies.	a. Identify criteria for participation by agency. a. Develop list of questions that provide necessary and useful information for parents, schools and other agencies involved. b. Develop list of agencies and process to access b. Teacher training for processes	GAPS Special Programs Department and participating agencies GAPS Special Programs Department and participating agencies GAPS Special Programs Department and participating agencies	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 2.1 Parent Training--Increase Parent Knowledge of Special Education Process

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
2.1a Develop resources for Parent awareness for Special Needs Students 2.1b Develop a proactive positive process for Parent Training 2.1c Develop Training Modules	a. Form and Develop a Training Committee a. Develop a list of resources. a. Develop ways to distribute information: Community/School mtgs. Newspaper, etc. b. Refine District Survey questions about Special Education, incorp-orate evaluation of IEP process for families. b. Identify & build on effective strategies being used by district staff. c. Identify needs. (i.e. Transition process for families.) c. Find resources & training available. Review current training materials. c. Create modules for identified needs that are currently not addressed. c. Complete process.	Training Committee: Parents, COPE, Student, Regular Education Teacher, community member, and Special Education Staff Training Committee Training Committee	Sept to Dec Sept to Dec Jan to May

Priority Target: 2.2 Improve communications between school and parents (family members, care-provider, guardian).

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
2.2a Develop staff training for positive communication with parents.	a. Identify effective communication strategies for: ¨ IEP Meetings ¨ Family members ¨ Students ¨ Care Teams b. Materials Develop staff development plan with modules on IEP, Daily, etc.	Special Education Regular Education COPE Parents	Implement for 2003-2004 school year.

Priority Target: 3.1 Mentoring—Students Connecting with Others to Develop Appropriate Relationships.

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
3.1a Expand mentoring support for special needs students.	a. Schools will develop and identify training programs for mentors. a. Schools will develop and utilize a process to: ¨ Identify students who can serve as appropriate mentors. ¨ Identify staff that can serve as appropriate mentors. ¨ Identify agencies that can assist in providing contacts for mentors from within the community.	Individual GAPS school buildings. Individual GAPS schools buildings with support from community agencies.	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 3.2 Vocational, Community, Alternative Programs--Implementation

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
3.2a Provide staff development to all staff about Alternative Learning Options. 3.2b Explore and Develop options within schools to provide opportunities for vocational and community experiences. 3.2c Explore and Develop alternative options that will provide elective experiences in areas the District can no longer support. 3.2d Explore the use of assessment of interests & learning styles 3.2e Explore options to expand vocational opportunities	a. Coordinate staff development calendar with ALO coordinator. b. Develop a list of vocational and community experiences that would be open to GAPS students and access those opportunities c. Create options, with the assistance of parents and community agencies, in the areas of Art, Music, Computer, Drama, Home Ec. d. Research assessment tools. e. Research community resources Research location and curriculum Research Funding Sources	GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Individual Buildings in collaboration with GAPS Special Programs Department and Community Agencies GAPS Individual Buildings in collab-oration with Parents, GAPS Special Programs Department and Community Agencies GAPS Individual Buildings in collaboration with GAPS Special Programs Department and Community Agencies	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 3.3 Increase Understanding of Disabilities

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
3.3a Staff Development in all disability areas.	a. Coordinated Staff Development calendar for the school year. a. In-service for all staff on eligibility process and identification for all eligibility categories. a. In-service for community agencies and parents about disabilities categories and range of services.	GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Special Programs Department GAPS Special Programs Department	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 3.4 Systems; How to use for best results

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
3.4a Training and education for students in the following areas: ¨ Collaboration ¨ Self-advocacy 3.4b Evaluate current practice of service delivery to include the timeframe for when a student is involved in their IEP process.	a. Student training on IEP process a. Staff training in recognizing the student’s voice a. Training for students on advocating for needs. b. Explore flexibility of scheduling in all buildings b. Develop inner-school continuum of services b. Identify, create and delineate a range of curriculum for all levels of students. b. Identify and access Assessment information to assist in program planning. b. Staff development for all special education staff in the area of assessments.	GAPS Individual Buildings in collaboration with GAPS Special Programs Department and Community Agencies GAPS Individual Buildings in collaboration with GAPS Special Programs Department and Community Agencies	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.1 Evaluate Staffing Needs in all Areas

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.1a Review K-12 special education caseload numbers 4.1b Determine time needs of MDT’s (file managers) 4.1c Organize a systematic approach for maintaining quality SEA’s & 1:1’s 4.1d Coordinate staff development for Special Education Teachers	a. Make a long term plan to attain 34-44 range for students: teacher ratio b. Review work calendar for file managers. Determine need for extra days based on IEP file management issues. c. Review and develop action plan in the following areas: ¨ Training ¨ Job description ¨ Behavior management ¨ Autism ¨ Professional ethics d. Create Staff Development calendar in the following areas: ¨ Autism ¨ Collaboration ¨ Crisis Response System ¨ Supervision ¨ Program Mgmt ¨ Extended Assessment ¨ CLERAS ¨ 80/20 Service Model	GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff, Building Administrators GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff, Building Administrators GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.2 Clearly Define all Special Education Processes, Policies, Procedures

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.2a To establish consistent and clearly defined special education processes, policies, and procedures.	a. Review, Define, and Disseminate a structured model for all areas of special education with an emphasis on: ¨ L.D. Criteria ¨ Policy Handbook ¨ ESY Policies and Procedures ¨ IEP service delivery ¨ Range of services within schools	GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff	2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.3 Define Continuums of Placements at all levels of IEP service delivery.

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.3a All Levels: Identify current range of services. 4.3b Middle School: Expand vocational options 4.3c High School: Maintain current programs and explore expansion opportunities	a. Identify current placement options & create list. a. From the above list, identify needs and create a long-range plan to expand options. b. Identify current vocational placement options & create list. b. From the above list, identify needs and create a long-range plan to expand options. c. Define Current placement options (ages, eligibility). c. Identify current placement options & create list. c. From the above list, identify needs and create a long-range plan to expand options.	GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff in collaboration with community and private agencies GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff in collaboration with community and private agencies GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff in collaboration with community and private agencies	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.4 Establish a more efficient service delivery relationship with Regional Services/ESD

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.4a Continue to review Resolution Menu options	a. Collaborate with ESD and Regional Programs administration for larger menu of options.	GAPS District Special Program administration in collaboration with ESD/Regional administration	2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.5 Increase Behavior Support Capacity at the Building Level

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.5a Increase knowledge and use of scientifically based methods of behavior interventions.	a. Explore scientifically based behavior curriculum, activities, & programs. (2^nd Steps) a. Explore the use and implementation indications of Positive Behavior Systems (Best Behavior Practices). a. Comprehensive Behavior training from IEP to implementation to include Functional Behavior plans, Behavior Intervention Plans, and methods of supporting students with behavior needs (from mild to severe).	GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff, Building Administrators in collaboration with community agencies and ESD. GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff, Building Administrators	2002-03 School Year 2002-03 School Year

Priority Target: 4.6 Increase Care Team efficiency and service delivery

Action Plan	Activities	People Responsible	Timeline	Evaluation
4.6a Define Process and Responsibilities of Care Team and TAT	a. Clearly define membership for each team at all grade levels a. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member. a. Clearly define the Goal, Purpose, and Procedural aspects of teams at all grade levels	GAPS District Special Program Administration & Staff, Building Administrators	2002-03 School Year