LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Thursday,

Wallaceburg District Secondary School

             7:00 p.m.

December 14, 2006

Library

 

 

 

M I N U T E S

 

 

PRESENT:

Rose Gallaway, St. Clair Child and Youth Services

 

Elizabeth Hudie, Trustee

 

David Katzman, Community Living Wallaceburg

 

Al Kuhn, Community Living Chatham-Kent

 

Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services

 

Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent

 

Margaret Smith, Autism Society of Ontario, Chatham-Kent Chapter

 

Bruce Stonefish, Trustee

 

Jonathan Quaglia, Member "at large"

 

Janet Vanderwerf, Member "at large"

 

 

REGRETS:

Norma Hills, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton

 

Maggie Rochon, Easter Seal Society of Ontario, Sarnia-Lambton Branch

 

Lisa Saul (for Lisa Matthews), Learning Disabilities Association of Lambton County

 

Charlene Taylor, Member "at large" (Chair)

 

 

RESOURCE

Jim Costello, Superintendent of Education

STAFF:

Denise Emery, Chris Gordon, Geri Haskell and Debbie Seager, Special Education

  Co-ordinators

 

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1.0

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Trustee E. Hudie chaired the meeting which was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

Bruce Stonefish was introduced as the new Trustee appointed to SEAC for 2007.  E. Hudie has been reappointed to SEAC for another year.

 

 

2.0

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2006 11 23

 

 

The Minutes of 2006 11 23 were approved as written.

 

 

3.0

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

The Regional Office of the Ministry of Education was contacted regarding the SEAC Learning website.  Ministry staff confirmed that the website is currently “out of service”.  They are hoping to have an “abridged” version of the SEAC Learning website available in the near future.

 

D. Scherer would like SEAC to receive any feedback provided by the Ministry of Education resulting from the recent submission and review of IEP’s and Report Cards.

 

 

4.0

PRESENTATION – PREMIER SUITE DEMONSTRATION

 

 

Colleen Witt, Speech Language Pathologist and a member of the Assistive Technology Team provided a demonstration of the Premier Accessibility Suite software which is now available at every school.  Premier Suite was purchased through funding made available by the Special Education CODE Project last year.

 

Premier Assistive Technology has developed a “suite” of software which provides assistive technology to allow access to today’s technologically oriented world.  Their affordable and easy to use products address reading, writing and information transfer needs for individuals with visual, cognitive and mobility challenges.  Any parent, student, or employee of our Board can also download programs for use on their home computer.  C. Witt demonstrated seven of the programs that are available to students:

·        Talking Word Processor

·        Universal Reader

·        Talking Calculator

·        Ultimate Talking Dictionary

·        Scan and Read Pro

·        E-Text Reader

·        Text-to-Audio

 

Handouts detailing the features of each of the demonstrated programs were distributed.  Further information is available on the following websites:  www.premierathome.com and

www.readingmadeeasy.com.  C. Witt is hopeful that schools will establish scanning stations for student and teacher use that will promote greater use of the Premier Suite.

 

J. Vanderwerf commented on the successful home use of the program. 

 

D. Seager distributed more comments from students who participated in the recent Premier Suite training.

 

 

5.0

OCTOBER 31, 2006 EXCEPTIONAL PUPIL STATISTICS

 

 

A chart summarizing the total number of exceptional pupils was reviewed.  The chart revealed a total of 3427 exceptional pupils as of October 31, 2006, which is a slight decrease from last year (3492).  J. Costello pointed out that since there has been a decline in enrolment this year of approximately 600 students these statistics reveal that the percentage of students with special needs has increased.  Since funding is tied directly to enrolment this may cause difficulties in the future.

 

 

6.0

2005-2006 EQAO RESULTS

 

 

J. Costello distributed a copy of a September 26, 2006 Report to the Board revealing the 2005-2006 EQAO Assessments results for the following areas:

·        Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

·        Grade 3 and 6 Assessments of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics

·        Grade 9 Assessments of Mathematics

 

J. Costello highlighted Board results, including special needs population details, as compared to the provincial standards.  The report also provided methods for improvement for each of the Assessments.  EQAO results are also posted on the Board’s website.

 

J. Costello explained that the government has set a target that 75% of all students meet or exceed Level 3 by the year 2008 in the Grades 3 and 6 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics and that a 75% secondary school graduation rate be obtained by all Boards.

 

 

7.0

SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN

 

J. Costello distributed copies of a Ministry of Education Memorandum, dated November 30, 2006, formally announcing a change in the reporting for 2007 Special Education Plans.  Boards are required to report amendments only for 2006-2007 rather than conduct a full review.  Board-approved amendments are due to the Ministry of Education by July 31, 2007.

 

The Memorandum also provided further details to the recent Ministry directive related to streamlining the IPRC process.  The Ministry directive stated that “an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting is not required when both the school and the parents agree that the student should be placed in a regular classroom”.  The Ministry clarified that their directive was not intended to suggest that school boards completely discontinue holding IPRC meetings to determine identification and/or placement.  School boards are required to hold an IPRC meeting when a parent requests it, in accordance with Regulation 181/98.  There has been no change in policy.

 

 

7.1

Review of Section 2.8 - Special Education Placements Provided by the Board

 

SEAC reviewed Section 2.8 of the Special Education Plan.  G. Haskell explained that IPRC placement statements have been reverted to Ministry terminology resulting in revisions to the “Continuum of Placement” charts.   The following revisions were suggested:

·        On Page 39, under the heading of “What does a Program Review do?”, revise the 2nd bullet to read:  Consults with Associations, parents and students, where appropriate through surveys and/or interviews (see Appendix 2.8.2, 2.8.3, 2.8.4, 2.8.5, 2.8.6 and 2.8.7 for example of surveys used with recent reviews).

·        Pages 42, 43, and 44, Continuum of Placement Options charts will be revised to reflect current placement statement terminology.

·        Page 45, Items 1.1 and 1.2, programs and services are currently under review.  Change information beside each heading from (Reviewed - 1998) to (Currently under Review).

·        Page 46, Item 1.4 - Care and Treatment Facilities - 1st Paragraph, 4th Sentence, change information in brackets to read (Section 23), instead of (Intensive Support Amount, Level; 4).

·        Page 46, Item 1.4.3, change title to read:  Chatham-Kent Children’s Services (CKCS).  Also change name of agency in 1st Sentence, and change CICS to CKCS in last sentence.

·        Page 47, Item 2.1.1, replace both paragraphs with:  Most students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are placed in a regular classroom in their home schools with appropriate supports and programs to meet their individual needs.  The Itinerant High Needs Resource Teacher travels the district with programming suggestions within the regular classroom and special education classroom.  The intent of this service is to establish programs in consultation with school teams and parents.  A large portion of programming suggestions often pertain to transitions from pre-school or to the world of work.  Two Educational Assistants are part of the “High Needs Team” to temporarily support our highest needs students during the implementation of programs and transitions.  The Itinerant High Needs Resource Teacher works collaboratively with the School Support Program Staff from the Thames Valley Children’s Centre to provide on-going professional development and consultative services to meet individual school needs.  Students with multiple exceptionalities which include severe to profound autism and intellectual delays may be referred to an IPRC for placement in a developmental disabilities classroom.

·        Page 49, Item 2.4.2, 2nd Paragraph, 1st Sentence, change sentence to read:  Students with severe learning disabilities, may, in consultation with the parent, be placed by IPRC, on a short-term basis, in a transitional class at Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School or John McGregor Secondary School.

·        Page 52, Item 3.3.1, 2nd Paragraph, change sentence to read:  This joint program is funded by the Lambton Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.

·        Appendix 2.8.8 - Special Education Program Review - Chart has been updated indicating Behaviour Program Review began in Fall, 2006.

 

 

8.0

BEHAVIOUR PROGRAM REVIEW UPDATE

 

D. Seager provided an update on the activities of the Behaviour Program Review Committee which held their initial meeting in early December.  Members include:

·        Christine Davenport, Supervisor of Psychological Services

·        Tim DeActis, Principal of Continuing Education

·        Lee Easterbrook, Itinerant Behaviour Resource Teacher

·        Rose Gallaway, SEAC Member

·        Mike Gilfoyle, Secondary Principal

·        Pam Graham, Principal of Special Education

·        Karen Hellerman, Elementary Principal

·        Jonathan Quaglia, SEAC Member

·        Karlene Shaw, Itinerant Behaviour Resource Teacher

·        Jim Stewart, Secondary Vice-Principal

·        Liz Zantingh, Itinerant High Needs Resource Teacher

 

An overview of the variety of behavioural supports and programs was provided.  Discussions revolved around the types of service delivery offered by other Boards.  Questions were raised as to the success rate of our methods of delivery of service, what the definition of success is, and current costs to the Board.  It is anticipated that the review will take a full year.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2007.

 

E. Hudie questioned the low number of students formally identified as having a Behaviour exceptionality.  J. Costello explained that most students involved with behaviour programming are not identified through the IPRC process.

 

 

9.0

COACHING TO INCLUSION CONFERENCE

 

D. Emery reported on the Coaching to Inclusion Conference held in London on November 30, 2006.   40 staff from the Lambton Kent District School Board were in attendance, including SEAC Chair C. Taylor (80% were regular classroom teachers).  Guest speaker was Don Johnson who spoke about universal instruction.  Jeff Malicki, Teacher of Indian Creek Road School, was the recipient of one of the annual Coaching to Inclusion Awards.

 

 

10.0

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

 

 

10.1

Letter from Durham District School Board SEAC to Minister of Education, dated 2006 11 20

 

SEAC reviewed a letter that was sent to the Minister of Education by the Durham District School Board SEAC.  The letter expressed concern about the lateness of the grant announcements and the fact that the delay made it almost impossible for SEAC and public input into the budget process.  The letter also pointed out the inadequate funding available for students with special needs.

 

 

 

10.2

Letter from Toronto District School Board SEAC to Minister of Education, dated 2006 11 14

 

J. Costello distributed copies of a letter sent by the Toronto District School Board SEAC to the Minister of Education.  The letter informed the Ministry that the Toronto District School Board will have an $11.5 Million shortfall in special education funding for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

 

11.0

ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS

 

On behalf of Community Living Chatham-Kent, A. Kuhn submitted details of a series of workshops offered by “Essential Autism Educational Services, Inc.” in Chatham during January and February, 2007.

 

D. Katzman announced that Community Living Wallaceburg are in the process of closing one of their day programs due to declining participation.  Community Living Wallaceburg has bid on a program that will provide planned respite services for families and agencies.

 

 

12.0

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Melissa Hewitt asked how the Premier Suite software could be beneficial for students with hearing impairments.

 

 

13.0

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

 

J. Costello reminded SEAC Members that the January 25th SEAC meeting will be the last official meeting for the current three-year term.  A SEAC recognition and thank you will take place at that January meeting.  Susie Jones will be invited to attend.  The Board will be making appointments for the next four-year term at their meeting on January 16, 2007.  The first official meeting of the new SEAC will be February 22, 2007.  Plans for the February SEAC meeting include the election of Chair and Vice-Chair, along with a priority-setting exercise.  Thought will also be given to scheduling a future orientation session for the new SEAC.

 

 

14.0

NEXT MEETING

 

 

 

Thursday, January 25, 2007

 

Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library

 

7:00 p.m.

 

 

15.0

ADJOURNMENT - 9:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan Sparks,

 

Recording Secretary.