Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Special Education Subcommittee Meeting - Wednesday, November 28, 2018
A meeting of the Special Education Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 6:45 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were School Committee members Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. James DeAmicis, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Anthony Andronico, Subcommittee Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Sarah Anderson, Ms. Catherine Carey, Ms. Donna Cunningham, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Richard Kelly, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, City Solicitor James Timmins; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; Quincy Parent Advisory Council President Cassandra Beck; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Director of Special Education Erin Perkins presented the Special Education Program Improvement Plan, reviewing the Special Education mission and introducing the Team Administrators. The Special Education Department mission is to provide a caring community of dedicated staff and involved parents that meets the diverse academic, emotional, and social needs of all our students in a respectful and positive environment. Ms. Perkins reviewed the MAP data for students with disabilities; all grades 2-7 exceeded the national norms for both Reading and Math.
In reflecting on last years goals, middle school student with math goals in their IEPs met the target of increasing their RIT scores by 6 or more points from the initial MAP assessment to the end of the year MAP assessment. The Elementary Special Education team worked collaboratively with the Literacy, English Learner, and High Needs teams to create a process for identifying and certifying students for special education services using the Response to Intervention model. The Special Education team worked with the IT department to continue to offer individual and whole group training opportunities for the Special Education Aspen module, Middle and High School special education and general education teachers worked to create a district inclusion class that was implemented in the summer of 2018. The CARES, Learning Center, and LDC teams also implemented their curriculum goals.
In reviewing the Spring 2018 MCAS data for Students with Disabilities, Ms. Perkins noted that this category of students is no longer classified as needing assistance, but is meeting targets and expectations. For ELA and Mathematics, Grades 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 (ELA only) are above state levels for meeting, exceeding, and partially meeting expectations. For Grade 10, both English Language Arts and Mathematics were above the state level for proficient and advanced. For student growth, ELA for all grades are within the moderate growth range and Grades 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10 for Mathematics.
Mrs. Lebo asked whether this data is consistent for this cohort as they travel through the grades or whether this is a Grade 6 assessment issue. Ms. Perkins said that across the state, Grade 6 data is an area of concern.
In partnership with the South Shore YMCA, CARES students are offered the opportunity to participate in classes such as Zumba, yoga, spinning, and swimming lessons taught by YMCA staff members and supported by Quincy Public Schools staff members.
Goals for 2018-2019 include continuing to work with the IT department and team chairs to increase IEP services and timeline compliance as well as state reporting accuracy; working with team chairs to learn effective Applied Behavioral Analysis strategies to support students; and continuing to work collaboratively with the Literacy and English Learner teams to continue to refine the Response to Intervention process with a focus on Grade 2. The Middle School Special Education team will once again focus on increasing the RIT scores for students with math goals in their IEPs. The Special Education Vertical Team will implement an observation tool for principals, assistant principals, and department chairs in evaluating the staff in co-taught classrooms, provide professional development, and update and add to shared resources.
Mr. Andronico thanked the presenters.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Special Education Program Improvement Plan. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Ms. Beck announced upcoming QPAC events: a visit to the Enchanted Village on December 13 for Grades 1 & 2 Language Development classes and the Gingerbread Decorating Event on December 14 for 45 families.
Mrs. Lebo asked if there is a parent representative involved in the conversation about expanding the strategies classes and Ms. Beck is working with Ms. Perkins. Ms. Beck said an issue that has recently surfaced is supports for students with social emotional issues during lunchtime and she will be working with Ms. Perkins on this as well.
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to adjourn the Special Education Subcommittee Meeting at 7:35 pm. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.