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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11a Education App A SEAC 26 Oct 2011 Report 9 Appendix A REPORT NO. 9 SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE To: The Board Date: 26 October 2011 Committee Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, commencing at 7:07 p.m. with Rob Kirwan in the chair and the following in attendance: TRUSTEE MEMBER: Pam FitzGerald OTHER TRUSTEE: Rob Campbell ASSOCIATION Rossana DiMito, Association for Bright Children of Ontario REPRESENTATIVES: Joyce Mortimer, Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders Rob Kirwan, Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Tim Golding, Autism Ontario, Ottawa Chapter Bob Fraser, Learning Disabilities Association of Ottawa-Carleton Beth Doubt and Kevin MacPherson, Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES: Chris Ellis and Miriam Fry NON-VOTING REPRESENTATIVES: Cher (Support Staff) Dan Van Mourik, (Professional Student Services Personnel) Kathi Kay, Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Operations Committee Christine Kessler, Ottawa- Network Grant Zhang, Student Senate STAFF: Dawn Paxton, Superintendent of Learning Support Services Jennifer Borrel-Benoit, System Vice-Principal of Learning Support Services Janet Manhire, Itinerant Teacher LD, LLD Bruce Fraser, Board/Committee Coordinator GUESTS: Debbie Boland and Léa Lacerenza, The Hospital for Sick Children 1. Call to Order Chair Kirwan called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. - 1 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 2. Approval of Agenda Moved by Bob Fraser, THAT the agenda be approved. - Carried - 3. Public Question Period There were no public questions. 4. Delegations There were no delegations. 5. Presentation: a. Reading Program, Debbie Boland and Léa Lacerenza, Hospital for Sick Children Janet Manhire provided a brief overview of how student testing is undertaken to determine if a student would be a suitable candidate for the Reading Program. Debbie Boland and Léa Lacerenza provided a complete overview and examples of how the Reading Program, an intervention program designed to assist students who struggle with reading. The 111 hour program is used daily to teach small groups of tier three students how to apply a set of strategies: Sounding Out, Rhyming, Peeling Off, Vowel Alert and Spy to help them decode unknown words. The program teaches the students problem solving skills which helps them to gain confidence with reading, encourages them to take credit for their success and helps students to become independent readers equipped with multiple strategies to decode words. The presenters advised that all segments of the program build on what the students have previously learned. Ultimately the students are provided with a game plan to manage what they have learned based on a simple sports analogy that makes them aware of the need to be flexible, to practice and to be aware of what information is available to them to make it possible to decipher more and more complex reading challenges. They noted that the research related to the Empower Reading Program and new components of the program are ongoing and that students, staff and parents are very enthusiastic about the program and the results obtained. In response to a query regarding the value of the program for students who are not necessarily struggling with reading, Superintendent Paxton advised that staff has been careful in the application of the program as the students who need this program must go back to the beginning stages of learning how to read. Janet Manhire noted that the regular program includes many of the strategies used, but components that students would not require in the regular program. The presenters and staff addressed a number of additional queries and the following points were noted: Ms. Lacerenza confirmed that a comprehension component, which also utilizes five reading strategies, has been developed and is currently being piloted at one school; A student would be reassessed to determine if they are ready to re-enter the regular program, and the teacher, in conjunction with the resource teacher, would also - 2 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 consider other variables such as behavioural and attendance issues to determine if the student would benefit from repeating all, or part of the program; English as a Second Language learners who are new to English would have trouble acquiring the necessary reading skills but those who have been using English for a few years should be able to succeed; The goal of all programs is to enable students to function in a regular classroom environment; zero to 74 in three years; have been innovative with the program, this year two blind/low vision students are using the program; The program is most effective when students are identified at a young age. Chair Kirwan thanked Ms. Boland, Ms. Lacerenza and Ms. Manhire for their presentation. 6. Beth Doubt advised that Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) will be offering an instructional session for parents on 19 November 2011 at Woodroffe High School, regarding the Identification, Placement, Review Committee (IPRC) process. Chair Kirwan reminded the Committee to review the monthly Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) newsletter circulated by Bob Fraser. The next working group meeting is scheduled for 14 November 2011 in room B100. 7. a. Division Update Superintendent Paxton provided a brief update on the following items: Consultation on the Special Education Policy the process has been very labour intensive; and The 19 October 2011 consultation session was attended by approximately 60 parents and consultation was also achieved through the website and blog. SEAC will be kept advised of progress in this area. Specialized System Classes A Board motion was approved on 11 October 2011 regarding 2012-2013 specialized classes; and Based on a review of the waitlists, staff will come forward with recommendations for next years specialized classes as quickly as possible. Special Incidence Portion (SIP) Deadline for SIP applications is 15 December 2011- staff are working very hard on the complex labour intensive process in order to to sustain funding (an average of $1.3 million annually, has been achieved over the past six years). Recent Tragic Event Learning Support Services (LSS) teams were deployed to schools to help students and staff deal with the death of an A.Y. Jackson student; and Staff is being vigilant in regard to possible copycat events. - 3 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 Information for parents available from the OCDSB website Individual Education Plan (IEP) Guide Identification, Placement, Review, Committee (IPRC) Guide Special Education Report Quality Performance Indicators Policy and Guidelines for Special Incidence Portion (SIP) and Special Equipment Amount (SEA) Training Session on Special Education and the Law Thursday, October 27, 2011 in Toronto Learning Support Services will be sending two staff members to observe. In response to queries by Rossana DiMito, regarding the possible attendance of a SEAC member, Superintendent Paxton indicated that she thought it would be unlikely but noted that she would inquire. She agreed that information from the session could be provided to SEAC members. Chair Kirwan asked that the issue be added to the SEAC/Staff Action List. Funding for Mental Health Workers Information regarding mental health available on website: Urgent Care; and On Track; Staff has been meeting with agencies to determine how mental health funding will be deployed; Funding is very limited but staff are trying to maximize the use of it by telling agencies what is important to the OCDSB; Staff is stressing the need for Mental Health workers in schools and being very clear that additional in-service is not required; Staff needs to know that if a service is accessed there will be someone there to provide it. In response to a concern expressed by Evan Cooper regarding the difficulties of accessing services in rural schools, Superintendent Paxton advised that Learning Support Services staff are aware of the challenges facing all schools and that she is trying her best to advocate for the provision of appropriate levels of service, especially in rural areas. She noted that the Youth Services Bureau received two FTE for all four school boards and Crossroads received some funding. Superintendent Paxton is working closely with the agencies to ensure that the OCDSB receives the level of support required. assigned to schools. She pointed out that, an expected $9 million to purchase services for next year will now be allocated over a number of years and, a number of associations are eager to form a strong connection with the OCDSB. Trustee FitzGerald noted that at the recent conference on Youth Mental Health, almost all speakers stressed the importance of having the mental health workers in the schools in order to effectively help students. Trustee FitzGerald advised that she would be willing to bring the issue of funding for mental health initiatives to the provincial level. Superintendent Paxton submitted that staff is giving the Youth Services Bureau time to advise the OCDSB of their plan, the types of services offered and the number of participants. Beth Doubt expressed the view that SEAC should monitor the situation with respect to funding for mental health workers and consider writing a letter to the Minister. This item will be added to the SEAC/Staff Action List. - 4 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 Ministry Partnerships Transition Planning Ministry of Child and Youth Services and Ministry of Community and Social Services Principal Linda Yan has met regularly with Ministry staff and was recently advised that the Ministry of Education will not be included as a signing partner to the Transition Protocol for students with developmental disabilities and that the signing partners are the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services; Learning Support Services staff believed the OCDSB was one partner and that the transition issue was legislated but have not received any information in response to a request for the applicable legislation; Parents are concerned with respect to changes at Service Coordination. Announcements have not been made clear to the community and there is an expectation that school staff will be part of the assessment for eighteen year-old students; It appears that Service Coordination has a significant lack of understanding of what is required within the OCDSB; and Staff have asked that Service Coordination clearly define what will be offered in terms of services and to advise parents. In response to a query by Chris Ellis regarding the effectiveness of SEAC sending a letter to the Minister of Education regarding partnerships and transition planning, Superintendent Paxton recommended that the plan be allowed to unfold first. She noted that there are other significant issues, including agencies making budget decisions with the expectation that the OCDSB will address any shortfalls in funding and/or services. Miriam Fry advised that she had attended the transition workshop earlier in the day and it appeared that very few parents understood their role and noted that Service Coordination representatives expressed their belief that the OCDSB is very involved with transition planning. Chair Kirwan noted that Service Coordination does not accept anyone under the age of eighteen and has not been able to advise parents if there are spaces available. Beth Doubt expressed the view that the transition planning issue is for families and specific associations. She submitted that SEAC could have a credibility problem addressing this situation as it is not, strictly speaking, a SEAC issue. Chair Kirwan noted that, in Ottawa, parents must use Service Coordination to be offered a placement for their child. He submitted that, as most parents are not members of any association, SEAC has a significant communication role to play in this issue. 31 October 2011 Numbers will be finalized; Vacancies/Waitlist information, including IPRC, will be brought to the next SEAC meeting. Information for classes with less than five students will be suppressed to maintain confidentiality. Criteria Sheets/Fact Sheets for Programs Program Criteria Sheets and Fact Sheets are being posted to the website; Each fall the information will be reviewed to determine if additional information should be included. Parent Advocacy Article - 5 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 CTV/CBC News Item Some staff members were surprised to see a recent CBC/CTV news item regarding the use of ® iPads in Toronto classrooms to help students with Autism communicate, as Proloquo2Go, ® an iPad application, has been used in OCDSB classrooms for the last two years. 7. b. SEAC Committee Reports Strategic Planning & Priorities Committee, Rob Kirwan The Board is attempting to address mental health issues in youth as early as possible, despite the lack of funding for initiatives; and A motion with respect to updating advisory committee policies to reflect a reference outlining expected behaviour was defeated, but will likely be discussed at future meetings. Consideration of assisting chairs of committees with their respective roles was discussed. Budget Update, Beth Doubt There was nothing to report. Education Committee, Beth Doubt Significant discussion took place regarding the Board Improvement Plan for student achievement; and SEAC should consider when to provide feedback re Board Improvement Plan for student achievement to address the needs of students with special needs. Communications Sub-Committee, Joyce Mortimer Feedback has been received in response to the draft SEAC handbook. Comments will be reviewed and revisions made to the final copy; A summary of last years accomplishments will be provided at the next meeting; Website draft will be circulated at next meeting; and The handbook was written as a web based item but some hard copies will also be produced. Diversity and Equity Task Force, Miriam Fry Most of the meeting was spent editing a presentation. Parent Involvement Committee, Chris Ellis The main issue discussed was the need for by-laws to be developed by the end of October; Consultation on the By-laws will be required before they are finalized; It was confirmed that SEAC was not comfortable with sending a specific SEAC member so a representative would be selected from a wider group; and Viewpoints need to be articulated more effectively. Trades and Technology Steering Committee, Miriam Fry There was no report as the Committee has not met. Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee, Beth Doubt Consultation held last Wednesday and Ad Hoc Committee met earlier today; The Committee was already aware of many of the viewpoints expressed; Many personal stories were shared with the committee; Input was captured in an audio session; Emails to the Board have been available to the Committee and most are posted to the website; Input will be consolidated and analyzed and brought back for review by the committee; A report will be written to identify what should be included in the policy and areas where additional information is required; - 6 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 SEAC members need to help convey that the information is available on the website; SEAC members should review the information; and The draft policy should come to SEAC in November but may be delayed until December. 8. Receipt of Reports, Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee a. Report 9, 12 October 2011 Moved by Joyce Mortimer, THAT Report 9, Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee dated 12 October 2011 be received. - Carried There were no recommendations. 9. Review of SEAC Long Range Agenda and Action Items Action Items: Add: Provision of Information from Training Session on Special Education and the Law; Letter to the Minister regarding funding for mental health workers; and Plan to review Special Education report. Long Range Agenda: Members should advise Chair Kirwan of future items they would like to see included; and Add review of Policy/Program Memorandum No. 8. In response to a query regarding performance measures being used for regular classrooms, Superintendent Paxton advised that only the review of specialized programs has been done to date. Consideration may be given to modifying the performance measures for use in regular classrooms following completion of specialized programs. In response to a query regarding a plan to review the Special Education Report, Superintendent Paxton advised that staff will bring forward the most complex standards for review followed by any others that SEAC members feel necessary. She noted that standards which are based on legislation and/or Ministry directive provide little, if any, latitude for revision. In response to a query regarding staff reporting back on All Day Kindergarten supports for students with special needs and others in the regular classroom and the Senior Kindergarten Language Initiative, Superintendent Paxton advised that it could be added to the November agenda. Superintendent Paxton suggested that a presentation for Early Years could also be helpful to SEAC. 10. SEAC Goals for 2011-2012 Chair Kirwan advised that the Chairs Working Group met two weeks ago and reviewed input from SEAC members regarding priorities and goals for the next year. The working group streamlined an original list of twenty significant issues down to the following preliminary recommendation for consideration by SEAC: THAT SEAC adopt the following areas of focus for 2011-2012: Succession planning for SEAC. The Committee needs to be prepared for changes in membership for representation on committees as well as the communications aspect; - 7 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 Transition to Graduation. SEAC should focus on the production of something of consequence to assist the Board and to link with member associations; Board Improvement Plan. SEAC needs to continue to review/focus on Services and Supports available in the Regular Classroom; and Expanding Membership on SEAC. Chris Ellis noted that there are many transition points not just to graduation, i.e. school-to-school, grade level to grade level and elementary school to secondary school. In response to a comment by Rossana DiMito that a value needs to be provided on each item; therefore, they should be more measurable, Chair Kirwan advised that further defining the areas of focus in two weeks. 11. Review of Report No. 8, Special Education Advisory Committee, 29 September 2011 Moved by Beth Doubt, THAT Report No. 8, Special Education Advisory Committee dated 29 September 2011 be received. Joyce Mortimer noted that the revision on Page 8 (folio 14) to Page 10 (folio 23) of Report No. 7 Special Education Advisory committee dated 22 June 2011, b iii The Primary Years, should read: modifications /accommodations for grade 3 Board Improvement from the Minister to say that SEAC should be involved with the changes to the Plan. Rossana DiMito advised that Heidi Petersen expressed the view to her that, public question as included on page 2 (folio 8) was not recorded accurately and that concerns had been expressed to Ms. Petersen as to the method used to bring her question forward. Ms. DiMito noted that , the elimination of the use of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT), and why staff is resisting testing children for placement in specialized programs without receiving direction from the Ministry. Ms. DiMito suggested that question provides staff with an opportunity to effectively communicate the rationale to the public. meeting and asked Ms. DiMito to submit her preferred wording of the minutes with respect to Ms. to him and that the public question period area of the minutes would be brought back to the next meeting for approval. Moved by Beth Doubt THAT Report No. 8, Special Education Advisory Committee dated 29 September 2011 be received (except item 3a Public Question Period), as amended . - Carried Business Arising Report No. 8, Special Education Advisory Committee, 29 September 2011 Chair Kirwan agreed to follow-up with respect to an alternate representative for SEAC on the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee. - 8 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 * * * * * A motion to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m. received a two-thirds majority vote. * * * * * 12. Notice of Motion a. Notice having been given, Beth Doubt moved as follows: WHEREAS the Ministry of Education is encouraging increased engagement of Special Education Advisory Committees; and WHEREAS the results of the 2010-2011 Ministry of Education Special Education Advisory Committee Building Capacity Survey results, highlighted an interest for networking, including the sharing of best practices, amongst Special Education Advisory Committees across the province. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT SEAC write a letter to Minister of Education, Laurel Broten, copied to all Ontario Special Education Advisory Committees in Ontario, requesting funding for the organization of an annual meeting of all Ontario SEAC members. Beth Doubt noted that a letter from Barry Finlay, Director, Special Education Policy and Program Branch, Ministry of Education noted that the Ministry is encouraging increased engagement of Special Education Advisory Committees and that the 2010-2011 Special Education Advisory Committee Building Capacity Survey resultshighlighted an interest for networking, including the sharing of best practices, amongst Special Education Advisory Committees across the province. She submitted that funding is provided for annual meetings to the Education Quality and Accountability Office and Parent Involvement Committees across the province and the Ministry should be equally committed to all Ontario Special Education Advisory Committees. Ms. Doubt agreed to draft the letter to the Minister and asked that members submit their comments to her. In response to a request for staff comment, Superintendent Paxton expressed support for this type of meeting as it would provide an opportunity for OCDSB SEAC members to gain a larger perspective of issues through discussions with other SEAC members. Moved by Beth Doubt, THAT SEAC write a letter to Minister of Education, Laurel Broten, copied to all Ontario Special Education Advisory Committees in Ontario, requesting funding for the organization of an annual meeting of all Ontario SEAC members. - Carried - 13. Report No. 11-169 Review of the Physical Support Program Your Committee had before it report No. 11-169 providing information regarding the OCDSB Physical Support Program. Superintendent Paxton advised that the Physical Support Program was the most recent review undertaken to evaluate system special education programs. An independent research company was engaged to gather data and to make recommendations to Learning Support Services staff. - 9 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9 Superintendent Paxton advised that the report provides useful data and a number of recommendations which staff have commenced work on, in some cases, while other, more complex long- term recommendations require consultation with Human Resources staff as well as members of the appropriate federations. She advised that some of the recommendations will be very difficult to incorporate due to their impact on other areas of the organization as well as staffing agreements, instructional time, transportation and bell times. Superintendent Paxton noted the value of these types of reviews to ensure consistency throughout the system and to provide assistance to principals and Learning Support Services staff. In response to comments by Chris Ellis regarding wording contained in the report, Superintendent Paxton noted that the report is a product of an external contractor and agreed that some areas of the report could have been written differently. Cheryl Cavell noted that the report is quite positive overall and asked what the next steps in the process entail. Superintendent Paxton advised that LSS staff will review the recommendations, consult with the appropriate staff and federations and then determine what should ultimately be recommended to the Board. Beth Doubt agreed that the report was quite positive but that some issues identified exist in the regular classrooms not just with relation to the Physical Support Program such as: Individual Education . She noted that the report describes inadequate services from occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, etc. and questioned the difficulty of providing those services to students in regular classrooms, if there are difficulties providing them in congregated classes. Superintendent Paxton advised that staff is constantly reviewing and balancing the allocation of s are effectively met. She noted that other school boards have regularly relied on the OCDSB due to its wide range of education programs and services available for students with special needs. 14. Information from Staff There was no additional information provided. 15. New Business Chris Ellis advised that an IEP information session was recently held at Rideau High School and that all students with an IEP were contacted and encouraged to attend. The session provided an overview of an IEP and provided information to parents and students that would help them to advocate on their own behalf. 16. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Rob Kirwan Chair, Special Education Advisory Committee - 10 - Special Education Advisory Committee 26 October 2011 Report No. 9