LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday,
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
7:00 p.m.
May 20, 2004
Library
M I N U T E S
PRESENT:
Jenny Greensmith, Pathways Health Centre for Children
Norma Hills, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
Susie Jones, Trustee
Al Kuhn, Community Living Chatham-Kent
Duncan Longwell, Trustee (Chair)
Laurie Mawlam, Community Living Wallaceburg
Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent (Vice-Chair)
Charlene Taylor, Member "at large"
Jonathan Quaglia, Member "at large"
Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario
REGRETS:
Rose Gallaway, St. Clair Child and Youth Services
Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services
Sharon Nickerson, Member "at large"
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education (Admin.)
RESOURCE
Denise Emery, Geri Haskell and Debbie Seager, Special Education Co-ordinators
STAFF:
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1.0
CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m.
2.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2004 04 22
D. Scherer had questions concerning the DRAFT 2004-2005 special education
staffing complement information distributed at the previous meeting
and requested clarification of the reduction of 1.0 Resource Teacher
at the Secondary level.
The Minutes of 2004 04 22 were approved as written.
3.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES - None.
4.0
PRESENTATION – E-LEARNING SEAC INFORMATION WEBSITE
G. Haskell provided details of the release of
the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Advisory Committee
Internet Based e-Learning Information Program. Copies of a Memo from
the Ministry of Education announcing the release of the e-Learning Program
were distributed. The program is accessible universally, without the
need for a username or password, by visiting the website at www.seaclearning.ca.
The website is designed to provide information which will assist SEAC
members to fulfill their advisory role to school boards and includes
information about special education legislation, regulations, policies,
and other Ministry of Education initiatives. Units include:
Unit 1: Historical Overview of Special Education
in Ontario
Unit 2: Roles and Responsibilities
Unit 3: Role of SEAC
Unit 4: Policies and Legislation
Unit 5: Student-Focused Funding
SEAC members “toured” the website
by using several of the computers availablein the Library computer lab.
5.0
SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN
5.1
2003 Special Education Plan Feedback from the
Ministry of Education
SEAC reviewed the feedback from the Ministry
of Education, dated April 5, 2004, related to the review of our 2003
Special Education Plan which was submitted in June of 2003. The feedback
provided the following comments:
· the Plan met all standards contained
in the Ministry document “Standards for School Boards’ Special
Education Plans”
· the Plan was well organized, incorporating
the use of tabs to divide sections and appendices placed at the end
of each section.
· the procedures are clearly defined throughout
to help all stakeholders understand the direction the Board intends
for students with special needs.
· there should be a clear statement outlining
admission information as it relates to each exceptionality in the “Special
Education Placements” section of the Plan.
· the Board must submit a quality improvement
plan responding to the results of the 2003 IEP Review, along with any
2004 amendments to the Special Education Plan by July 31, 2004.
The IEP quality improvement plan is being prepared
and will be shared at the next SEAC meeting.
Congratulations were extended to SEAC for the
submission of a well-done Plan.
W. Vallee asked the following questions:
· What does the Ministry have in place
to ensure that school boards are implementing the Plan? Are there any
quality assurance checks?
· What protection do students have to
make sure they receive the services as outlined in the Plan?
· How do we ensure that teachers follow
the Plan?
L. Mawlam expressed concern that there is nothing
in place to measure the success of our programs, and suggested that
an annual survey be developed. How can SEAC judge how this Board is
doing with providing special education programs and services? G. Haskell
explained that the ongoing Program Reviews, which quite often involve
surveys, offer an insight to individual special programs.
C. Taylor suggested that SEAC establish a set
of goals, one of which could be to ensure that students receive the
special education services that they deserve.
5.2
Section 2.3
Section 2.3 of the Plan was reviewed. G. Haskell
informed SEAC that this section of the Plan was part of a larger document,
“Early and Ongoing Identification of Children’s Learning
Needs”, developed for Early Years Teachers by the Special Education
and Program Departments. One suggested change:
· Appendix 4.1.1 mentioned in the last
sentence on Page 8 has been revised and will be replaced in Section
4 of the Plan.
Feedback from SEAC included:
· screening tool results should be clearly
communicated to parents, along with strategies to assist at-risk students
at home.
· clarify the wording on report cards
to alert parents of potential problems.
· communicate clearly to parents the curriculum
expectations at the beginning of the school year.
· share checklists with parents.
· collect data from screening tool results
and share information with SEAC.
G. Haskell will, based on SEAC’s comments,
consult with the Program Department and revisit this section at a future
meeting.
6.0
2003-2004 ISA 1 EQUIPMENT CLAIMS
A Memo detailing costs related to the 2003-2004
ISA 1 Equipment Claims process was received by SEAC. During the 2003-2004
school year ISA 1 Equipment was purchased for 90 students at the actual
costs of $586,509.25. Total cost to the Board will be $72,000 ($800
per student).
J. Greensmith asked if a Speech Pathologist on
contract with the Board can write a prescription/recommendation letter
for an ISA 1 claim.
S. Jones wondered if Tuition Agreement First
Nation pupils were eligible for ISA 1 Equipment.
7.0
2003-2004 PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE
7.1
Hearing Impaired Program Review
The Hearing Impaired Program Review Committee
presented their recommendations to SEAC.
Members of the Committee included:
· Angie Barrese, Principal
· Darlene Beach, Itinerant Resource Teacher
of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
· Denise Emery, Special Education Co-ordinator
· Chris Gordon, Special Education Co-ordinator
· Jenny Greensmith, SEAC Member
· Melissa Hewitt, Parent
· Jonathan Quaglia, SEAC Member
· Barb Robinson, Itinerant Resource Teacher
of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
· Julie Vandernaalt, Itinerant Resource
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
· Liz Zantingh, Itinerant High Needs Resource
Teacher
D. Emery introduced Committee members in attendance.
Barb Robinson demonstrated some of the equipment
used with Hearing Impaired students including Hearing Aids and Personal
FM Systems. She also outlined the mandate of the Committee and the process
followed.
A DRAFT copy of the Deaf and Hard-of Hearing
Program Guidelines developed by the Committee was distributed and, while
speaking through a Soundfield System, Darlene Beach outlined the contents.
The Committee welcomes feedback from SEAC on the document.
Julie Vandernaalt presented the recommendations
of the Committee:
· Review resources each year and purchase
needed resources according to budget allotment.
· In-servicing to be conducted for classroom
and resource teachers during the day each year (a half-day workshop
at each end of the district).
· Additional after school workshops will
also be available.
· A Guideline for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Program will be available to schools in the Fall of 2004.
· A parent pamphlet describing Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing services within the Lambton Kent District School Board
will be made available in the Fall of 2004.
· A Central Auditory Processing booklet
will be created with tips and troubleshooting information for school
personnel.
· An updated database for tracking of
equipment will be created for 2004-2005.
· The placement and maintenance of FM
and Soundfield equipment for students with Central Auditory Processing
difficulties will be the responsibility of our current Transcriber.
· Investigate the possibility of creating
an FM evaluation form to be placed on the Forms Engine.
· Continue to work toward a multi-disciplinary
approach.
J. Quaglia requested that SEAC be provided with
a copy of the parent pamphlet and the Central Auditory Processing booklet
once available.
Following an opportunity to ask questions, SEAC
passed the following Motion:
Motion:
Moved by A. Kuhn, seconded by C. Taylor, that
the Special Education Advisory Committee support the recommendations
of the Hearing Impaired Program Review Committee, and accept the DRAFT
Guideline for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program.
The Motion CARRIED.
8.0
CORRESPONDENCE
8.1
Letter from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board SEAC, dated April
8, 2004
SEAC received a copy of a letter sent to the
Minister of Education from the co-chairs of SEAC of the Ottawa-Carleton
District School Board. The letter encouraged the Ministry of Education
to ensure that all school boards provide a range of placement options
to pupils whose needs cannot be met within the regular classroom.
8.2
Letter from the Keewatin-Patricia District School
Board SEAC, dated April 27, 2004
A copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Education
from the chair of SEAC of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
was reviewed. The letter expressed concern related to the lack of funding
information for the 2004-2005 school year, and also encouraged the Ministry
to release ISA funding based on claims validated during Cycle 5.
8.3
Letter from the Catholic District School Board
of Eastern Ontario SEAC, dated April 28, 2004
SEAC received a copy of a letter sent to the
Minister of Education from the chair of SEAC of the Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario. The letter urged the Ministry to continue
the practice of funding special education programs and services for
high needs students through the ISA process.
8.4
Letter from the Ottawa-Carleton District School
Board SEAC, dated May 6, 2004
A copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Education
from the co-chairs of SEAC of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
was distributed. The letter urged the Ministry to continue the practice
of funding special education programs and services for high needs students
through the ISA process and to release ISA funding based on claims validated
during Cycle 5.
8.5
Staff Development Workshops, Summer 2004 Booklet
Copies of the “Summer 2004 Staff Development
for All Employees” booklet were distributed. SEAC members are
welcome to attend any of the sessions but must register in advance.
9.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS
SEAC members are invited to attend the afternoon
portion of a Resource Teacher meeting on Wednesday, May 26 in Wallaceburg,
which will feature an in-service on reading strategies. Contact W. Kennedy’s
office if interested in attending.
D. Scherer had questions concerning accommodations
allowed during the Grade 6 EQAO testing process. G. Haskell explained
that accommodations are allowed but only those outlined by EQAO. D.
Scherer mentioned that there are still spaces available in the Summer
Tutoring and Social Skills Program operated by the Learning Disabilities
Association of Chatham-Kent.
L. Mawlam suggested that SEAC initiate the development
of a questionnaire to poll parents to determine the level of satisfaction
with our programs for exceptional pupils. This questionnaire could be
done on an annual basis at the end of each school year.
W. Vallee announced that the Autism Society of
Ontario will be holding their Annual General Meeting in Windsor on June
18 and 19, 2004. A respected researcher from the United States, Dr.
Marg Bowman, will present on June 18. Contact W. Vallee for further
details.
N. Hills provided an update on the Summer programs
offered by Community Living Sarnia-Lambton. Funding to support the Summer
programs is always a concern.
10.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.
11.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
· Budget Presentation
· Exceptionality Presentations
· Safe Schools Act and Its Effect on Exceptional
Pupils
· Link between IPRC, IEP, and Transition
Plans, etc.
· New Criteria for Identifying Students
as "Communication (Learning Disability)"
· Section-by-Section Special Education
Plan Review
· IEP Update
· Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Parent Pamphlet
and Central Auditory Processing Booklet
12.0
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library
7:00 p.m.
13.0
ADJOURNMENT - 9:30 p.m.
Joan Sparks,
Recording Secretary.
