Special
Education Study
Work Team Minutes
February 9, 2005
Our Goal:
A strategic approach to developing
a Special Education Instructional Model for resource and BI services
Enduring Understandings:
A system approach helps to show
alignment of program curriculum, assessments, and effective instructional
practices
Quality instruction is essential
for the success of all students in the system
Essential Questions:
How do Special Education services
specifically support Goal one of the strategic plan?
What can we learn by understanding
IDEA, exploring effective models, and examining current research?
Agenda Items:
1) Introductions, Sharing the
Assets that Each Member Brings to the Team, and Setting the Norms.
2) Process Questions:
The Work Team reviewed the process questions/concerns from the Information
Sessions and discussed common themes:
- Mindful-planned
communication because of Representation – we must hear all the voices.
- People want to know
what we are doing throughout the process.
- What is the scope
of the work?
- Open communication
and transparency.
- What are we doing?
How do we communicate what we are doing?
- Communicate to represented
groups and district: Who communicates to whom?
- We need parent and
student input during the process.
- Access to research
and look at it critically.
- There is a sense
of angst in the district about what we are doing and who is making decisions—that
this is a “done deal” and this is a “fix it committee.”
We will be addressing this further
when we prepare for our first (and on-going) loop outs.
3) Content to be on website:
- The Strategic
Approach
- Agenda and
Minutes
- Questions
that the Work Team is addressing
- Drafts
- Resources
and articles
4) Setting
the Stage for Learning and Inquiry
The Team read and processed two
readings:
- Data-Driven
Dialogue, pp 1-7
- Data Driven
Dialogue, pp 17-21
The team viewed and processed two videos to develop the understanding of
powerful teaching and learning:
- Good Morning,
Miss Tolliver
- Comprehending
Content, Tape 2, Cris Tovani
5) Questions
for the Work Team: The Team reviewed the questions from the Information Sessions.
This work will be compiled for later use by the Team.
6) Assignment - Read three
articles:
- President’s
Commission on Excellence in Special Education
- Summary
of the major provisions of re-authorization of IDEA
- Federal
law pp. 26-33 (education eligibility)
Agenda - - Item
(1) Introductions, Sharing the Assets that Each Member Brings to the Team,
and Setting the Norms - -
- Making
connections and building coherence
- Willingness
to learn/open-minded
- Experience/willingness
to change
- Regular
education teacher worked with inclusive model
- Passion/experience
- Passion
and engagement
- Beliefs
into action through clear detail work – what we do and the facilities that
support work
- Passion
for students and focus on programming for students
- Broad
background outside of SPS programs, services
- Deep
understanding of intentional instruction to support ALL
- Committed
to academic success representing alternative schools, special schools
- Honest,
openness, enjoy learning
- Humor
- Experience,
background and desire to see effective changes
- Experience
in general education and willing to question
- Hard
worker who loves learning
- Dedication
to providing opportunities for each student to learn
- Special
interest in specialized students, knowledge of program across the system
- Learn
more as an instructional leader – experience with DI and quality teacher
- Want
to be directly involved in change
- Representative
voice for other special education teachers
- Being
part of the decision making process is powerful
- Bring
an outside perspective
- Better
knowledge of other employee groups in special needs
- Background
in special education, knowledge of regulations
- Commitment
to excellence
- High
stake – Large percentage
- Risk-taker