LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
19 00 hours
2001 11 22
Library
(7:00 p.m.)
M I N U T E S
PRESENT:
Jennifer Adam, St. Clair Child and Youth Services
Norma Hills, Sarnia & District Association for Community Living
Marion Lennan, Lambton County Association for the Mentally Handicapped
Duncan Longwell, Trustee (Chair)
Sharon Nickerson, Member "at large" (Vice-Chair)
Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent
Ted Scott, Member "at large"
Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario
Veronica Vaughan, Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association for
Community
Living
Jane Wright, Chatham & District Association for Community Living
ABSENT:
Sandra Blondin, Our Children's Voice
Graham McIntyre, Trustee
RESOURCE
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education
STAFF:
Mike Gilfoyle and Cathy Koolen, Special Education Co-ordinators
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1.0
CALL TO ORDER – 19 05 hours.
2.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2001 10 25
T. Scott announced that his e-mail address has changed to tscott155@cogeco.ca.
J. Wright asked for clarification regarding the
hiring of a consulting firm to review individual transportation routes.
W. Kennedy explained Education Logistics has been secured to support
transportation and their contract has been extended to review the optimization
of transportation routes in Lambton Kent.
J. Wright questioned the fact that only a small
portion of students with learning disabilities will continue to qualify
for ISA funding under the new ISA Profile for Learning Disabilities.
C. Koolen confirmed that this information was correct. Approximately
15 students within our District will qualify for ISA funding under the
Learning Disabilities profile.
The Minutes of 2001 10 25 were approved as written.
3.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
3.1
IPRC Student Guide Update
M. Gilfoyle distributed a draft copy of an insert
to be included in the IPRC Parent Guide that further explains the IPRC
process in terms that are understandable to older students. SEAC was
asked to review the draft and to fax their comments to Mike Gilfoyle
at (519)336-0992, or Norma Hills at (519)332-3446.
3.2
SEAC Brochure Update
T. Scott explained that since his e-mail address
had changed recently he did not receive any feedback from SEAC members
concerning the draft SEAC Brochure that was distributed at the last
meeting.
C. Koolen asked for clarification of the content
of the brochure. It was her understanding that the purpose of the brochure
was to provide information to the public specifically on the Special
Education Advisory Committee.
J. Adam felt that the information contained in
the draft brochure would be beneficial information to distribute to
parents and suggested that an additional brochure be created on the
subject of SEAC only. SEAC agreed.
The draft brochure was submitted for formatting.
T. Scott agreed to begin work on a SEAC specific brochure. Al Kuhn offered
his assistance.
4.0
PRESENTATION - POLICY/PROGRAM MEMORANDUM 127/LITERACY INITIATIVES
M. Gilfoyle outlined the contents of Ministry
of Education Policy/Program Memorandum 127: Accommodations, Deferrals
and Exemptions for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
All students who are currently in Grade 10 must successfully complete
the OSSLT in order to earn their diploma.
Accommodations during the test are permitted
for students with special needs. The allowable accommodations must be
described in the student’s Individual Education Plan. Allowable
accommodations include:
· adjustments to the environment in which
the test is administered.
· adjustments in the time allowed for
the test (up to, but not more than, double the time).
· changes/adjustments to the format of
the test (e.g., alternative forms of print).
· changes/adjustments to the format of
responses.
M. Gilfyole further explained that reading aloud
of the questions in the writing portion of the test is a permitted accommodation.
However, reading aloud of the questions in the reading component of
the test is not a permitted accommodation. Accommodations allowed during
the test must be fully documented on a form and returned along with
the individual test to EQAO.
M. Gilfoyle informed SEAC that a detailed description
of the accommodations permitted during the OSSLT and the process for
seeking accommodations are outlined in the EQAO Guide for Accommodations,
Special Provisions, Deferrals, and Exemptions.
W. Kennedy added that the OSSLT test is administered
over the course of two consecutive half-days. Therefore a student permitted
double the time to write the test would be writing the test for two
consecutive full five-hour days, which may not be in the best interest
of the student.
Phil West, a retired secondary school teacher
who has been contracted by the Board, presented materials that have
been prepared to better prepare students who may be at-risk of not successfully
completing the OSSLT. The materials have been prepared by himself and
Summer curriculum writing teams of educators. The materials will assist
teachers in delivering programs that will boost the literacy skills
of their students and have been designed around topics of interest to
students. The materials have been well received by staff and other district
school boards have requested copies.
5.0
SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN
Section 2.2 of the Special Education Plan: Roles
and Responsibilities in Special Education was reviewed.
W. Kennedy explained that this section outlines
the roles and responsibilities of the various partners in Special Education
as defined by the Ministry of Education. The information contained in
the section was transferred directly from the Ministry document, Standards
for School Board’s Special Education Plans. Further detailed information
on the roles and responsibilities of Special Education Staff is outlined
in Section 2.11 - Special Education Staff.
6.0
PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE
6.1
Autism/PDD
C. Koolen provided an update on the Autism/PDD
Program Review Committee on behalf of D. Ellacott. The Committee has
met once this Fall and will meet again in December. It is hoped that
they will be ready to bring forth their recommendations to SEAC in the
near future.
W. Vallee requested information on the purpose
of the Program Reviews. C. Koolen explained that the purpose was to
review the entire individual programs in detail in order to ensure that
programs and services were distributed equitably throughout the district
and to make recommendations to SEAC for improvements.
W. Vallee voiced concerned about the identification
process for students with Autism/PDD and questioned whether Autistic
students were formally identified through the IPRC process as such.
6.2
Speech and Language
C. Koolen informed SEAC that the Speech and Language
Program review would be delayed until the Autism/PDD Program Review
was completed. It is expected that that there may be some recommendations
from the Autism/PDD Program Review surrounding Speech and Language services.
7.0
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS CODE,
AND EDUCATION ACT SECTIONS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION
A copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and Education Act Sections
and Regulations pertaining to Special Education were provided for SEAC
information.
W. Kennedy distributed copies of the November
8, 2001 Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services (CLASS)
Transportation Committee Meeting Summary.
Referring to the Ontario Human Rights Code, J.
Wright suggested that the Board was discriminating against a particular
group of students due to their transportation arrangements. Some students
are forced to leave school early each day and miss a portion of their
instructional time in order to catch their school bus.
W. Kennedy reminded SEAC that the issue has been
brought to the attention of the Board and the Transportation Committee
who are currently studying the issue. The lack of funding for transportation
services is the main problem.
8.0
CORRESPONDENCE
8.1
Letter sent from Greater Essex County District School Board to Minister
of Education
A copy of a letter sent from the Greater Essex
County District School Board to the Minister of Education identifying
the need for increased co-ordination of services and funding in order
to enhance the support for children with mental health needs in schools
was received.
SEAC agreed to respond with a thank you/support
letter with a copy to the Minister of Education.
8.2
Letter sent from York Catholic District School Board to Minister of
Education
A copy of a letter sent from the York Catholic
District School Board to the Minister of Education concerning the revised
criteria for ISA Eligibility Profiles was reviewed.
SEAC agreed to respond with a thank you/support
letter with a copy to the Minister of Education. It was also agreed
to include information on the transportation funding difficulties experienced
locally.
8.3
Ministry of Citizenship News Release
SEAC was provided with a copy of a News Release
from the Ministry of Citizenship dated November 1, 2001 unveiling the
government's vision of a province in which no barriers are created and
existing ones removed for people with disabilities.
9.0
FEATURE ASSOCIATION
9.1
Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent
D. Scherer presented information on the programs
and services provided by the Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent
including:
· Tutoring Programs
· Social Skills Programs
· Homework Clubs (currently being piloted
at Thamesville and Ridgeview-Moravian Schools)
· Newsletters
· Resource Library
· Information Meetings
· Advocacy, Information and Referral Services
D. Scherer distributed information brochures/materials
and copies of the new definition of Learning Disabilities adopted by
the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario. She also thanked Board
staff for their participation in the Promoting Early Intervention for
Learning Disabilities Initiative.
9.2
Next Meeting Feature Association
No Feature Association for December meeting.
10.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS
J. Wright announced that the Chatham & District
Association for Community Living will be hosting a concert on Friday,
November 30, 2001 at St. Paul’s Congregational Church, Park Avenue,
Chatham. Tickets are $5.00 each. Tickets are also available at the cost
of $2.00 each for a draw to support the Chatham-Kent Family YMCA Christmas
Raffle.
V. Vaughan provided information on an “Education
in Italy” Program. Italy has a widespread practice of educating
all students with disabilities in regular classroom inclusive environment.
V. Vaughan informed SEAC that the annual “Travel
Club” fundraiser for the Wallaceburg & Sydenham District Association
for Community Living is now underway. Tickets are $50.00 each and can
be purchased through Dr. Vaughan. The tickets are good for one year
and there is a draw for a trip each month.
D. Scherer provided details on a SEAC Training
Session sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor-Essex
County, the Greater Essex County District School Board, and the Windsor
Essex Catholic District School Board. The session will be held on Wednesday,
January 23, 2002, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in Windsor
W. Vallee would like more information on the
Safe Schools Act and the suspension/expulsion of students with special
needs. W. Kennedy stated he could provide this information at a future
meeting.
11.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
12.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
· Safe Schools
· Professional Development
· Booklet of Strategies, Accommodations,
and Tips for all Exceptionalities
· Reading Academy Software Demonstration
· SEAC Brochure
· IPRC Student Guide Insert
13.0
NEXT MEETING
SEAC agreed to hold their December meeting at
Tecumseh School in Chatham in order to tour the new Snoezelen Room.
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Tecumseh School - Library
7:00 p.m.
14.0
ADJOURNMENT – 21 50 hours.
Joan Sparks,
Recording Secretary.
