Special Edition: Vol. 1, Issue 5

TRAX Training

September 26, 2011
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
750 25th Avenue
Multipurpose Room

OR

October 14, 2011
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
750 25th Avenue
Multipurpose Room

Contact: Laura Ramirez,

dominguezl@sfusd.edu

Behavior Case Manager (BICM) Trainings

October 6, 2011 or

October 21, 2011

Contact: Eric Elliott,

elliotte@sfusd.edu

Greetings, Special Educators and Friends!

Welcome to the fifth issue of "The Special Edition," SFUSD's Special Education newsletter! In this issue, you will find information about the co-teaching model at Thurgood Marshall High School and Mission High School; learn about professional development opportunities, like Behavior Case Manager training; and much, much more.

Announcements

Professional Development Opportunity

We would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in an upcoming professional development opportunity called "The Fine Art of Collaboration in Special Education" on Tuesday, September 27. More information about the event and how to register can be found here.

NCLB Highly Qualified Review Underway!

Human Resources is updating the highly qualified status of SFUSD teaching staff. Special Education teachers need to be certified as highly qualified in each subject taught. For secondary teachers, you may need to be highly qualified in English, math, social studies and science.

If you are contacted, please send proof of subject matter competency to Christy Prasad in Human Resources at prasadc@sfusd.edu. If you have any questions or are interested in learning how to add subject areas please contact Christy as well.

Message from the Assistant Superintendent

A powerful way to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities is to establish collaboration between general ed and special ed that is highly focused and clearly articulated in the culture of the school. The attached article, courtesy of Stetson and Associates, lays out specific ways to ensure that there is time for collaboration and that the time is used effectively.

Please find the article here.

Sincerely,

Cecelia Dodge

Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Services

Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM) Training

The Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM) training will take place over the course of two days on October 6th and 21st. A maximum of 50 participants can be trained at one time. At this time, we have approximately 40 school psychologists signed up, leaving 10 open spots for Special Education Coordinators, Department Heads and others.

Participants will be BICM certified by the end of the training and should be able to conduct a legally defensible functional analysis assessment (FAA). The training covers the legal background of FAAs, writing FAAs, data collection, consultation skills, writing positive behavior support plans, maintaining behavior change, and emergency interventions.

Please get back to Eric Elliott at elliotte@sfusd.edu if you are interested in attending this training.

School Spotlight:
Mission High School and Thurgood Marshall High School

Co-Teaching at the High School Level

Exciting changes are underway at both Thurgood Marshall High School and Mission High School for students in SDCs. Both schools began the current academic school year implementing a Co-Teaching model where most SDC/M/M (SDC - Mild/Moderate) students participate in one or more general education academic courses. These classes are co-taught by a General Educator and an Educational Specialist (Special Education teacher).

The lines between programs are beginning to blur as students' individual needs and rights to inclusive practices are taking precedence over program placement. Students are responding positively to being with their general ed peers, and in most cases are rising to the challenge. It is a situation where both teachers benefit from each others' expertise, and the students benefit most of all. Hats off to Mission and Marshall!

SET PD

Special Education Teachers Pilot a Research-Based Reading Intervention

Reading comprehension is the most commonly cited goal for students in Special Education. It is also the area of greatest need for all students in grades 2-12, according to an analysis of CST data for the last three years by the Core Curriculum Committee. The Special Education Teacher Professional Development (SETPD) Grant addressed this crucial, cross- content area for middle school students by adopting the Comprehension Strategies Intervention for middle school students in ESY 2010-11.

Read more about this exciting intervention here. For further information, please contact Susan Shepard at shepards@sfusd.edu or at (415) 379-7711.

Compliance Update

Previous issues have addressed different components of the California Department of Education's Verification Review. In this issue, find out more about CDE's fiscal review process HERE.

Procedural Handbook

The Procedural Handbook has a SPED Document Library located on the left menu bar of the Procedural Handbook site. It has a number of useful documents for you to consider and utilize such as a 60 day timeline chart, translator request forms and Release of information form. Click here to take a look.

Cornerstone On Demand

Special Education Services, in collaboration with our Human Resources (HR) and Information and Technology (IT) departments, is proud to announce the impending launch an innovative learning management system powered by Cornerstone on Demand (CSOD).

CSOD will provide all district employees a secure site to view upcoming learning opportunities, register for instructor led professional development and access a library of power point presentations and video tutorials. SFUSD will also have an opportunity to create web based courses employees can take and complete at their own pace.

Unlike our current online registration stystem OMS, CSOD will keep a running transcript of all learning opportunities each employee completes. This will assist teachers in documenting their professional development towards renewing credentials, bolster skills and allow for data analysis related to professional learning trends. Stayed tuned for more...

FAQ

Question: How do you respond to Goalview asking "What is the justification for CMA?"

Answer: At least once a year a student's testing participation is to be discussed and documented in their IEP. This discussion should include a review of:

Present levels of performance
Previous STAR test results
All other relevant assessment results

The California Modified Assessment (CMA) is a grade-level assessment for students in grades 3-11 who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan, are receiving grade-level instruction and, even with interventions, are not likely to achieve grade-level proficiency within the year covered by the student's IEP. The purpose of the CMA is to allow students to demonstrate achievement of the content standards in English-language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science (grades 5, 8 and 10 only).

Goalview is assisting compliance with this requirement by asking the teamn to summarize all data which support's the claim that even with intervention, the student is not likely to achieve grade-level proficiency within the year covered by the student's IEP. The justification for CMA will differ for various students.

Sincerely,

Communications Team

Special Education Services, SFUSD

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