Secondary Issues Committee Agenda

Secondary Issues Committee Agenda

10/23/2012

Present: Ramon Suarez, Holly Rockhill, Scott Larson, Donna Vance, Christa Vail, Laura Luter, Angie Saxton, Shelly Hellendrung

Graduation Requirements – Holly

DOE charts for Graduation requirements – change each year. Algebra 2 is required for the group entering this year and moving forward. State assessment requirements shared, including EOC exams. 18 credit students are rare. Transition to computer-based assessment handout also provided.

Concern of teachers automatically including extended time, whether needed or not. Also noted the amount of time required. 504 Plans are also headed this way; state has recommended 504 Plans sate an amount of time. Need to base it on classroom data. State DOE has told Donna twice as long is the general option for students with IEPs. Question or paper/pencil tests. Jail does not have computers; have to request ahead Need to train teachers better on what data collection is needed & how to involve basic ed teachers in the data collection. If computer-based assessment given in the classroom, does the student need paper/pencil. Not an option under Classroom Accommodations – Laura to follow up with Pat/Kathy. Question of paper/pencil FAIR. Amount of time may vary depending on assessment; cannot arbitrarily limit the testing. Need to have further conversations on this topic. Holly will have further conversation with Melissa.

Level 1 Courses – Ramon/Holly

High school courses have 3 levels (1 remedial, 2 basic, 3 advanced/AP). Intensive Reading & Math are Level 1 courses – not counted toward graduation. 4-5 months ago DOE ESE sent a survey asking about impact on district. This significantly impacts 50% of high school population not being able to graduate in 4 years. If a student takes a Level 1 course as deemed appropriate by IEP team, can graduate on time until Cohort of 2013 -2014 9th grade entering class. That class will not receive credit toward a standard diploma. New change to Course Code Directory -- Any FCAT required courses will now be a Level 2 (Intensive reading/math). Ramon is looking into Level 1 and 2 course codes. Our district no longer offers level 1 math courses.

Question of 7000 level courses being offered at high school for students who are SLD/LI, etc. Blended schedule with special access & standard diploma classes. Students will be taking longer than 4 years to graduate; can stay in school until 22. Must have district involvement (case review) in these decisions; many have unique or medical needs. Christa is involved in these decisions. Ramon indicated need for graduation in 4 years (W07 Special Diploma) and return for FAPE – this will be customized for students. Also noted that once a student returns after graduation with special diploma, schools should not code them as drop outs if they stop attending. They will count against graduation rate. Ramon will follow up with his DOE DJJ Interagency Committee on IDEA requirements.

If student graduates with special diploma and returns later to pursue a standard diploma:

* 13th year senior (GPA or credits) follow regular cohort.

* If 5th year senior, makes prediction of graduating class and follows that cohort graduation requirements. Student will need a grad plan; work with guidance counselor. Special standards courses count toward electives. Treat just like any other regular ed student. Specific concerns should be brought to Holly.

Off Campus Instruction Procedures – Scott

Handout of OCI procedures. Overview – prior title of Home Instruction; clarified now to eliminate confusion. Can include on campus, after traditional hours. Short-term (intermittent for serious breaches) and long-term delivery models. Cannot indicate in lieu of OSS because students still getting OSS.

Short term: Should not be done independently of MDH. Shown under accommodations. Initiate date same as MDH. Duration through end of current school year – does not wrap to next school year. Do not revise current plans in error; educate and move forward.

* Teacher certification not an issue for short-term; teacher of record remains classroom teacher. Dual certified or reading endorsed are preferred.

* No changes in TERMS at all. Attendance counts as OSS, even if we are providing OCI. Indicator 4B impacted – disproportionality of races. Cannot use 50 code for change of placement. Alternative to suspension not an option. TIEP team cannot determine discipline; done through administration.

* Must still provide services under FAPE. Question of different coding discussed. LOLHS offered Alternative to Suspension (ATS) as an option – no referral for disciple. Used Saturdays. 13 schools are using this now. Option of teachers going out to the students instead of OSS – T/IEP team decision to provide intensive behavior support. Consider a behavior intensive program on school sites after hours – different from old AHP program; no transportation. Hillsborough assigns placement to after hours program without attendance. Discussion of After Hours Program (AHP). Many students still come on campus for purposes not related to education. Scott & Holly are willing to explore options with new staff.

Long-term: Learning support for reading, writing and math weekly and include an amount of time being provided. Does not change accommodations (should already have FBA/BIP type accommodations in place). Indicate Home/Community for location.

* Teacher qualifications can still have Integrated Curriculum if the teacher has maintained certification 6-9. For high school must have certification for each subject. Elementary certification works for any elementary students & most ESE students. Also look for specific ESE area when needed.

* Build a extended school day schedule in TERMS and tag teachers to courses. Daily for 3 periods depending on courses provided. Provide 6-12 hours a week. Can be every day, depending on team recommendations. Do not put time frame on IEP – just note frequency as Daily.

Cyesis – Ramon

Cyesis has been in place for years – option for teen parents. 2 components – parent (academic courses to graduate & parenting courses) and day care services. Students provide nursery support at some point during the day. Goal is to increase parenting skills & prevent future pregnancies during school years.

Audit last year showed limited options available for pregnant teens. Had to develop 4 options. Consideration of day care voucher program – no funding available. Other counties pay taxes for day care vouchers – approx. $50K a month. 4 alternatives –

1. Cyesis – MTEC & MMEC. Each program serves approximately 45 students each year. Can continue through graduation. Fathers can attend the program also. Content area teachers & cyesis nurse provide for support. ESE students receive support from Jeri Dellutro. We receive funding for both parents & babies. Every year 7500 has been given from the state for nursery support. Some schools were not aware of this. DCF makes unannounced checks monthly. Also tagged to Title 1, Part D funding.

2. School Choice to neighboring middle/high school (i.e. CHMS/RHS for MTEC; PMS/PHS for MMEC) with baby at MTEC/MMEC. No time requirement for nursery. School nurse can provide support to the students; limited parenting class options & encourage online class. Very few students opt for this. Transportation needs to be addressed for MMEC program due to different times.

3. Regular school without day care assistance. Support from school nurse & student services for community supports. Encourage online courses for parenting.

4. Pasco eSchool for those who want to stay at home to take care of babies. Must follow full time eSchool guidelines. Encourage online courses for parenting.

Additional Information:

* Goal is for students to graduate in 4 years; however, we have to offer same supports as any other student. Ramon will look into extension.

* Middle school students can be served in Cyesis. Special diploma students can also be served; MMEC is doing this. Involves different course codes & scaffolding of instruction. Teacher certification concerns; school choice allows for this. Ramon is also looking into service delivery options.

* Time frame for absences following delivery. Question of when to request H/HB services. Have to provide make up work following C Section if H/HB is not requested. 6 weeks is typical leave time for C section. Lisa Kern is involved with Ramon on this. School nurse needs to address paperwork with doctors. At regular school, C sections can arrange H/HB through the school nurse if medically relevant.

DJJ Program Procedures – Ramon

No longer offer GED programs for K -12 students. Have to transfer to Adult Ed.

2 programs for DJJ –

1. JDC -- detention center on SR 52 (1- 21 days). Detained until judge can see case on court. Average stay is 5-7 days. Provide temporary courses & work on basic skills. Pat Wright is ESE teacher there. 10 day period to develop an T/IEP agreed to with Kathy Z & Toni.

2. 1 residential program – Pasco Girls Academy. 22 girls there 6-9 months. Arrived from all over the state.

Other programs:

* Non-residential day program for girls -- PACE. 48 students middle & high school. They run their own show. 85% of FTE provided; we provide guidance counselor & ESE consultative support.

* AMI – subcontract for students at high risk. Alternative for HSEC for students living US 41 and west including SLHS. Students living east of 41 and CLMS go to JIEC.

Program Supports:

* District has a DJJ Transition person -- Darcy Mentor for student who transfer in/out of district. She notifies receiving school & arranges transfer paperwork. Transition Plan in place for each student.

* DJJ Specialist – Kelly Goff – housed at MTEC to do data entry & Oversee all DJJ programs. Sheila Bryant oversees all Pasco DJJ programs.

When students arrive from other counties typically go in an alt site program (MSEC & JIEC) for one semester before transferring to regular high schools. Some students are entitled to return to regular high school. If students want to take GED, they are unenrolled for the test & then reenrolled to address fees.

Informed Notice of Change – DOE Audit checklist indicates 7-10 notice for change of placement. Ramon indicated student s under custody fall under DJJ; can be effective immediately. Question of documenting N/A on the checklist since student is now a ward of DJJ. Need to provide this paperwork when enrolling student at DJJ site.

Credit Recovery Program – Ramon

Thanks to ESE Department for updates to the Handbook. Need to have ESE case manager involved in the process to ensure student is properly placed based on abilities to ensure success. New courses outlined. Ramon is updating the transcript. Students are doing credit recovery using the APEX curriculum. Must have failed course in order to participate. Only graduating seniors can do grade replacement to boost GPA. Teacher facilitates all instructional modules. APEX Course matches within Pasco.

Topics for Next Meeting -- Group

·  Virtual school & how it looks on the T/IEP

·  Virtual school requirements for graduation

·  Waiving virtual requirements for graduation

·  Post School Rights Summary

·  PERT/Math remediation courses & accommodations allowed

·  Math remediation course requirements – very difficult

·  Impact of math remediation requirement for Telecalss

·  H/HB students needing credit recovery.

Follow Up:

1.  Laura to talk with Pat/Kathy about PlanMaker accommodations for testing.

2.  Holly to talk with Melissa about time for assessments.

3.  Ramon will follow up with his DOE DJJ Interagency Committee on IDEA requirements on ESE students taking more than 4 years to graduate.

4.  Scott & Holly are willing to explore OCI options with new staff.

5.  Ramon is looking into middle school & special diploma options for Cyesis program continuity across settings. Time and age of student to be served.

6.  Ramon to follow up on DOE Audit for DJJ Parent Notification – how can we give advance notice before initiation if court ordered to a specific DJJ site. What procedures to follow?

Next meeting 12/11/12 12:00 – 3:30 PM in the ESE Conference Room