FCCPTA Special Education Committee
Minutes of
the May 13, 2004 Meeting
In Attendance:
Donna Martinez (chair), Margaret Fisher, Julie Chung,
Melissa Stoner, Stephanie Running, Sandy Roberson, Karen Freiberg, Scott
Campbell.
Called to order 7:23 pm
Chair's report:
Donna reported on the Advisory Committee for Students
with Disabilities meeting that took place May 12. She provided testimony to
the ACSD regarding concerns she had as FCCPTA Special Education Committee
Chair regarding the School Board Targets. During 2000-2002, the School
Board's Strategic Target 6 stated as a goal to return 5% of students with
disabilities to their base schools. In this current session (2002-2004),
Target 7 stated, All schools will increase their capacity to serve a broader
range of students with designated low incidence disabilities at their base
schools. As a result, the percentage of students receiving special education
services in their base school programs will increase.
The current proposed targets have eliminated this goal. The ACSD is
recommending that this goal be reinstated with higher targets. The school
board will be finalizing its targets on May 27. Donna recommended that
should this meeting take place PTA members attend.
IDEA bill was passed today by the U.S. Senate including
the Murray amendment, which eases transportability of IEP's, improves
special education services for military and homeless, clarifies which adults
can advocate, and addresses paperwork reduction.
Margaret made a motion that this committee write the
School Board asking them to reinstate the goals in Target 7 as a target and
that the goals be increased and that the middle and high schools meet these
goals. Julie seconded the motion. Scott proposed and Margaret accepted a
friendly amendment that our letter parallel the suggestions of the ACSD.
Donna proposed that we ask the FCCPTA board for their approval. The motion
was approved.
Old Business:
Special education PTA representatives guide: This
action has been tabled until later. Special education committee were
reviewed the Special Education Goals for 2003-2004 to determine whether if
FCCPTA Special Education Committee met them, should progress towards them,
or if they need to be continued. A final report will be delivered to the
FCCPTA Board and members of the Special Education
Committee.
A brief synopsis of those past goals is included here
with actions to date and plans for next year.
1. All schools have special education committee members. There are currently
about 60/200 schools that we are aware have committee members. The barrier
has been reaching parents and liaison with the school staff. Retain goal.
2. All special education chairs will communicate. About
40/60 are on the listserv. Retain goal
3. The committee will recommend for executive board approval solutions and
steps to issues regarding Special Education. Action to date includes Target
7. Retain goal.
4. Schools will insure inclusion of students with special educational needs
in school activities. May need to revisit given direction of Targets for
next session. Retain goal.
5. Special Education chairs will submit newsletter articles to their
schools. Emerging. Retain goal..
6. Communication with ACSD will increase. We need to increase our contact
with our cluster and district ACSD members. Margaret Fischer has served the
FCCPTA well in this capacity. Retain goal.
7. Host joint or individual meeting(s) between ACSD, local PTA chairs and
special education committee members with School Board members. Goal not met.
A meeting with FCCPTA leadership and Parent Resource Center in November
helped to establish committee member meeting. Next year explore more guests
at our meetings such as Candace. Explore having a get-together between
Special Education
PTA representatives with the ACSD held before an ACSD monthly meeting at
Belle Willard. Explore the possibility of funding options for this event.
8. Ask Daniel Domenech to give presentation on inclusion to our group. Goal
not met. Explore possibility of Special Education Committee members
attending the Capacity Building Session/Stetson inclusion trainings
9. Schedule Mel Levine's presentation to go to the public. Met through
"Brown Bag" lunch meetings.
10. Assure school grounds welcoming to all students. Suggest move this to
the special education representatives guide as one of our responsibility.
11. Postsecondary education/ school outcomes. Announce to parents rights to
remediation if students fail end of course SOL's.. PTA scholarship for
special education students at high schools. Goal not meet. Retain goal.
12. Collaborate with Parent Resource Center. A working relationship with PRC
has been reestablished.
13. Promote post secondary education opportunities. FCPS announces expansion
of postsecondary education opportunities for students with disabilities
including intellectual disabilities. Retain goal.
14. Promote Disability Mentoring Day. Students attended local and DC events.
Increased awareness of this event requested. Retain goal.
15. Maintain vigilant oversight of Congress. In light of the reauthorization
of IDEA some members took on an active involvement in advocacy for education
of students with disabilities. Make a personal goal instead of a committee
goal.
New Business:
Donna announced she is seeking and encouraging Special
Education Representatives to take on the leadership role of Special
Education Committee Chair for next year's tenure. She will be focusing on
outside duties. S will be available for support or to Co-Chair if desired.
This is a voting board member of FCCPTA.. The Chair would attend the FCCPTA
meetings. Donna will remain as Chair if there no one wishes the position.
Stephanie raised her concern that FCPS needs more OT teachers. Donna added
that there is a shortage of speech and language teachers. The OT's are
contract employees. Scott suggested parents make sure it goes into the IEP.
Scott presented discrepancy between tested and actual grade levels in math
and reading. Demonstrates social promotion is leaving many children behind.
PACE is putting together workshop on ABA. 3 days, $175, at Tyson's.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.
Donna Martinez
