LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Thursday,

Wallaceburg District Secondary School

             7:00 p.m.

September 23, 2004

Library

 

 

 

M I N U T E S

 

 

PRESENT:

Rose Gallaway, St. Clair Child and Youth Services

 

Norma Hills, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton

 

Susie Jones, Trustee

 

Al Kuhn, Community Living Chatham-Kent

 

Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services

 

Duncan Longwell, Trustee (Chair)

 

Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent (Vice-Chair)

 

Charlene Taylor, Member "at large"

 

Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario

 

Mary Weerdenburg (for Jenny Greensmith), Pathways Health Centre for Children

 

 

REGRETS:

Laurie Mawlam, Community Living Wallaceburg

 

Jonathan Quaglia, Member "at large"

 

 

RESOURCE

Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education

STAFF:

Denise Emery and Geri Haskell, Special Education Co-ordinators

 

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1.0

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

 

Chair, D. Longwell called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  The Agenda was approved.

 

D. Longwell announced that Sharon Nickerson has resigned her position as a SEAC Member “at large”, and wished her well in her future endeavours.

 

 

2.0

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2004 06 10

 

The Minutes of 2004 06 10 were approved as written.

 

 

3.0

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES - None.

 

 

4.0

PRESENTATION - VISUALLY IMPAIRED PROGRAM REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

The Visually Impaired Program Review Committee presented their recommendations to SEAC.

 

Members of the Committee included:

·          Angie Barrese, Principal

·          Denise Emery, Special Education Co-ordinator

·          Rose Gallaway, SEAC Member

·          Chris Gordon, Special Education Co-ordinator

·          Glenda Kerr, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

·          Susan McEwen, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

·          Janet Vanderwerf, Parent

·          Susan Vollmar, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

·          Liz Zantingh, Itinerant High Needs Resource Teacher

 

D. Emery introduced Committee members in attendance and distributed DRAFT copies of the Visually Impaired Program Guidelines developed by the Committee.

 

Glenda Kerr distributed goggles and had everyone wear them in order to simulate the experiences of a student with visual impairments.

 

Susan Vollmar circulated a few samples of equipment (Franklin Speller, Tape Recorder, and Braille Lite) used by our visually impaired students.

 

Susan McEwen presented the recommendations of the Committee:

·          Investigate other delivery models.  An example would be a clustering of students to increase effectiveness and efficiency of student programs as well as to facilitate social opportunities.

·          Review resources each year and purchase resources according to budget allotment.

·          Review direct and consultation services yearly to ensure individual student needs are being addressed.

·          Provide in-servicing to classroom and resource teachers on a yearly half-day basis in both north and south ends of the district.

·          Provide reference guideline and brochure to all schools and community partners in the Fall of 2004.

·          Improve communication between all stakeholders by promoting an interdisciplinary team approach whereby all information is shared.

 

Following an opportunity for SEAC to ask questions, D. Longwell thanked the presenters.  SEAC supported the Guideline document and the recommendations made.

 

 

5.0

SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

W. Kennedy presented a copy of “Special Education in Ontario Schools (Fifth Edition)” to each SEAC Member.  This book was distributed to resource teachers last year.  Principals have also received a copy along with vice-principals.

 

W. Kennedy explained details of the Ministry of Education special education funding announcement that took place on July 28, 2004.  Highlights included:

·          $1.2 Million in additional special education funding allocated to the Lambton Kent District School Board (this equals the total of our Cycle 5 ISA Claims) has been withheld due to retroactive changes to funding.

·          an Effectiveness and Efficiency Office will be established to ensure accountability.

·          new conditions will apply to special education funding and will be developed over the 2004-2005 school year.

·          the current ISA system will be replaced in September, 2005.

·          a Provincial Equity and Effectiveness Fund will be established to support unmet needs.

 

B. Burdett asked a question about the media publicizing the announcement of the allocation of funds to the Lambton Kent District School Board but not informing the public that this did not actually take place.  W. Kennedy suggested that the Minister, in consultation with stakeholders, might make the money available to boards.  D. Longwell asked if a letter to the Education Minister from SEAC might be helpful.  W. Kennedy suggested waiting until we hear what comes out of the Regional Special Education Council meeting scheduled for mid-October.

 

A.                 Kuhn asked a question about the recent publicity surrounding rural funding.

 

W. Vallee asked questions surrounding the transportation of special needs students.  W. Kennedy stated that efforts are being made to pinpoint the exact cause of the special education transportation problems encountered at the beginning of the school year and to correct the situation for future years.

 

D. Scherer asked if money could be moved from one budget envelope to another.  W. Kennedy explained that there are strict guidelines and that “flexibility” dollars have traditionally supported over expenditures in certain envelopes.

 

 

6.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:  MINISTER’S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON SPECIAL EDUCATION ANNUAL REPORT TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, 2004

 

 

W. Kennedy highlighted the contents of the Executive Summary he prepared.  Priorities of the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education (MACSE) for the 2004-2005 school year include:

·          Special Education Funding

·          Program Standards

·          Accountability

·          Interministry Co-ordination

·          Applied Research

·          Professional Development

 

A. Kuhn asked if SEAC has any input into this group.  W. Kennedy explained that recommendations may be submitted through SEAC and that MACSE also receives input from several organizations and associations.

 

 

7.0

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GOALS 2004-2005

 

 

SEAC reviewed the 2004-2005 Goals established by the Special Education Department:

1.      Support Students in the Development of Literacy and Numeracy Skills.

2.      Facilitate effective communication and improve knowledge relative to special education programs and services.

3.      Promote professional learning communities that focus on meeting the specific learning needs of exceptional students.

 

System Foci, Key Strategies, and Indicators of Success support each goal.

 

D. Scherer asked a question related to parental involvement.  W. Kennedy explained that the document “Steps to Success” is used to involve parents and develop solutions.  D. Scherer had some concerns around IEP’s being sent home before the parent had been consulted.  D. Emery explained that during teacher in-service it will be made clear that parents need to be informed well before an IEP is developed.  G. Haskell stated that an IEP Parent Guide is currently being developed.  D. Scherer feels that it is important for the parents to feel like they are part of the team.  W. Kennedy explained that we are currently encouraging principals

not to develop IEP’s for students who are not heading to identification through the IPRC process.  Some IEP's are developed in order for students to meet EQAO requirements.

 

C. Taylor asked a question about the use of technology in Special Education.  What is being done so teachers in the classroom understand the technology and what to do if a student refuses to make use of it.  W. Kennedy explained that we are in the process of developing an administrative procedure around the use of ISA 1 equipment.  We also have an Itinerant Resource Technology Teacher,  Ann Pharazyn, who is providing in-service and there are system operators located at each school.  G. Haskell explained that quite often in-service is offered prior to software being distributed.

 

 

8.0

PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE

 

 

8.1

Physical Disabilities Program Review Update

 

The Physical Disabilities Program Review continues.  This Fall outside agencies and staff will be surveyed as well as principals, teachers and EA’s.

 

 

8.2

Review of the Role of the Resource Teacher Update

 

W. Kennedy explained that the key to success will be in the hands of principals.  Principals now have guidelines to follow.  A checklist will be developed for principals to discuss with their resource teachers and classroom teachers.

 

 

9.0

SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN

 

 

9.1

Review of Section 2.5 – Educational and Other Assessments

 

Section 2.5 of the Plan was reviewed.  G. Haskell suggested the following revisions:

 

·          Page 29, Change:  Psychological Services Department to Psychology Department in the 1st and last line.

·          Page 30, Test Battery for Psychological Services has been revised (copy distributed).

·          Page 31, second section - Average Waiting Time…, has been updated (copy distributed).

·          Page 31, third section - Consent for Psychological Testing, add:  (under the age of 18) after the word minor in the second sentence.

·          Appendix 2.5.1 has been revised (copy distributed).

·          Appendix 2.5.3 will be revised.  Add under Social Emotional Tests:  Personality Inventory for Children, Reynold’s Child/Adolescent Depression Inventory, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children.  Delete:  Grade Equivalents section.

 

 

9.2

Review of Section 2.6 – Specialized Health Support Services

 

Section 2.6 of the Plan was reviewed.  G. Haskell suggested the following revisions:

·          Appendix 2.6.1 has been revised (copy distributed).

·          Appendix 2.6.2 has been revised (copy distributed).

 

 

10.0

SUMMER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

 

SEAC reviewed copies of the following correspondence received over the Summer, 2004:

·          Letter to the Minister of Education dated June 9, 2004, from the Limestone District School Board

·          Letter to Board Chairs and Directors dated June 18, 2004, from the Minister of Education

·          Letter to the Minister of Education dated July 2, 2004, from the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board

·          Letter to SEAC dated June 23, 2004, from the Options Program Committee.  W. Vallee had a question concerning admittance criteria for the Options Program.  W. Kennedy explained that there is a committee who reviews each application prior to admittance and he will have C. Gordon address this question at the next meeting.

·          Letter to the Minister of Education dated May 14, 2004, from the Rainbow District School Board

·          Letter to the Minister of Education dated June 21, 2004, from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

·          Letter to the Minister of Education dated July 7, 2004, from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.  D. Scherer distributed a document entitled “Revisiting Ontario’s Special Education Funding Formula”.

·          Memorandum from the Ministry of Education dated August 24, 2004

 

 

11.0

ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS

 

D. Scherer informed SEAC that the Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent will hold their Annual General Meeting on Monday, September 27, 2004, featuring a presentation entitled “Understanding ADHD” by Dr. Kenneth Handelman.  The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, Cafeteria.

 

D. Emery informed SEAC of the Professional Activity Day scheduled for October 22, 2004.  SEAC members are welcome to attend.  Contact D. Emery for further details.

 

A. Kuhn announced that Community Living Chatham-Kent have reviewed the Special Education Department Goals for 2004-2005 are looking forward to great results.

 

Maggie Rochon introduced herself and is considering joining SEAC as a representative of the Easter Seal Society of Ontario, Sarnia-Lambton Branch.

 

W. Kennedy distributed copies of the “Fall 2004 Staff Development for All Employees” booklet.  SEAC members are welcome to attend any of the sessions but must register in advance.

 

 

12.0

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.

 

 

13.0

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

 

·          New Criteria for Identifying Students as "Communication (Learning Disability)"

·          Section-by-Section Special Education Plan Review

·          Internal Review of Special Education Services

 

 

14.0

NEXT MEETING

 

 

 

Thursday, October 28, 2004

 

Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library

 

7:00 p.m.

 

 

15.0

ADJOURNMENT - 9:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne Schroeter,

 

Recording Secretary.