Exceptional Education Newsletter
May 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Compliance Corner
- Message from the Behavior Analysts
- Assistive Technology Tip of the Month
- Message from Transition Mentor Teachers
- SEAC
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Shout outs
- Previous Issues
COMPLIANCE CORNER
All students must have an assigned case manager in VA IEP. If you have a student in the initial eligibility process, assign the ICC as the case manager until the process has been completed.
Continue to work on obtaining parents' signatures to finalize and make the IEP process compliant with VA IEP. Here are some ways schools have obtained parent signatures:
1. Use Parent Portal.
2. Schedule a time for parents to sign at the school.
3. Use the Office of Engagement as a resource.
4. Add all contacts made to acquire parental signatures in the parent contact section of VA IEP.
Continue to work with your case managers to ensure all annual IEP and eligibility meetings are scheduled for students. Each student must have a compliant and up-to-date IEP and eligibility.
Remember: Meeting Minutes and PWNs are due for all IEP and 504 Plan meetings.
May Updates:
May compliance updates are due by May 26, 2023.
1. May updates for Indicators 9, 10, and 11 should be added to the Google forms in your school drive.
2. Use the tracker forms for the December 1st ASPEN, Exit Report, IEP, and 504 compliance. You do not have to provide any comments to these trackers. You are only reviewing them for accuracy. The IEP and 504 Plan compliance trackers should be used to ensure that IEPS and 504 Plans are updated monthly. If there are any changes to the ASPEN tab, the change must be made in ASPEN. The student will then show accurately on the tracker. (Mr. Mitchell is working with PCG to correct the glitch preventing the data from updating.)
3. As schools hold IEP meetings for English Learners, Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) teachers should be invited to participate as team members.
May ICC Meetings
Elementary ICC Meeting- May 16th Virtual
Secondary ICC Meeting- May 18th Virtual
New ICCs Meeting- May 19th Virtual
ICC Advisory Committee- May 30th Virtual
MESSAGE FROM BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) Compliance for EOY
As the 2022-23 school year draws to a close, we would like to remind all teams across the district to take this opportunity to review their list of students with current BIPs and ensure that all plans are in compliance. Compliance for a BIP means it has been updated within a year of the last documented review date. Column H in the spreadsheet linked above indicates the last date the BIP was reviewed and documented in VA IEP. If any student's plan is out of compliance, we request you to make every effort to complete these plans before the end of the school year. ALL PLANS UPDATES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN JUNE 15TH. If you require any assistance or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your school's BCBA.
Ways to Access BCBA Support:
Staff can ask individual support questions during the BCBA monthly Virtual Office Hours. The next meeting is scheduled from 3:00 - 4:30 PM on May 16, 2023.
Staff can request support for an FBA/BIP for an individual student through the BCBA Referral form.
Professional Learning Options:
ICCs and/or Administrators can request professional learning for their specific building, using the BCBA Referral Form.
Staff can attend monthly webinars on FBA/BIP topics. The next webinar is scheduled for May 11 from 4:00-5:00 PM where the Division BCBAs will be discussing Identifying and Teaching Consequence Strategies.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TIP OF MONTH
Children’s Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.) has updated its website! C.A.T.S. provides for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology devices in Virginia. They serve as a no-cost resource for children with disabilities who need adaptive equipment and whose families have limited resources. Visit their UPDATED website and check out the inventory!
C.A.T.S. needs volunteers to help clean and repair equipment, van drivers, event support, office help, etc… Visit the website to become a volunteer!
C.A.T.S. website address: https://atdevicesforkids.org/
MESSAGE FROM TRANSITION MENTOR TEACHERS
Transition Tip:
Independent living is an important component in the transition planning process. When completing this section of the IEP, consideration should be given to whether:
● the student plans to live independently as an adult, or with family or friends
● the student needs support to access community resources
● the student has any health needs
● the student needs daily living assistance
● the student needs support with maintaining social networks
Mark your calendars! The following partners will be in your schools this month!
Armstrong High School
● May/June (TBD)-SOAR Job Coach- Job coach will be in the Transition Center to meet with referred students and plan for summer work experiences.
● May 10-Hargraves Outreach- Hargreaves Outreach is an approved DARS vendor able to provide support services to students for Pre-ets services.Job coaching and work experiences held in the Transition Center at 10:00am
● May 15, May 22, May 29: A Peace of Mind-Job training and work exploration workshop will be held in Room 235 at 12:00pm.
● May 17-Start on Success Student interviews-Students who have applied for the program will complete their student interviews.
● May 18-Virginia Union University-Admissions meetings and campus tour
● May 23-Virginia Credit Union-Students will have the opportunity to open bank accounts in the Transition Center (Room 235) at 11:00am.
● June 1-Inclusive Car Wash-Job Skills and fundraiser for the Inclusive Club. Car Wash will begin at 11am.
● June 2-DARS-referrals for juniors will be processed in the Transition Center at 11:00am.
George Wythe High School
● May 24: On the Spot Hiring Fair-This will be an opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to secure a job with a variety of vendors in the Future Center and Cafeteria from 2:30pm to 4:30pm
● May 18: Start on Success Student Interviews- Student applications will be reviewed and students will be interviewed for the program at 10:00am.
Huguenot High School
● May 16: Start on Success Student Interviews- Student applications will be reviewed and students will be interviewed for the program at 10:00am.
● May 30: Electricians Aptitude Testing- Students who signed up will be administered the Electricians Aptitude test, a requirement for admission at 9:00am in the Media Center Computer Lab.
● June 7: Transition/Career Fair- 50 vendors and employers for on-the-spot hiring, apprenticeship and career opportunities in the gymnasium from 2:00 pm-4:00pm.
John Marshall High School
● May 31: Transition Career Fair- 20+ employers will be present for on-the-spot hiring, apprenticeship, and career opportunities in the gymnasium from 12:00pm-2:00pm.
RPS Transition Mentor Team
Darlene Slade: Huguenot High, Thomas Jefferson High, River City Middle
Selina Wilson: John Marshall High, Henderson Middle, Richmond Alternative School & THRIVE
Karen Young: George Wythe High, Lucille Brown Middle, Boushall Middle
Rebecca Parks: Armstrong High School, Martin Luther King Middle School, Albert Hill Middle School, Binford Middle School
SEAC
https://www.rvaschools.net/academics/exceptional-education/special-education-advisory-committee-seac
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Code of Virginia, § 22.1-298.3, requires paraprofessionals assigned to work with a teacher who has primary oversight of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be trained in student behavior management within 60 days of assignment to such responsibility.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Autism Center for Education (VCU-ACE) has developed an online course to provide the most current training and information to fulfill HB325 training requirements. Registration for this self-paced course opened this month. It may be taken by all educators, including paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, support staff, and related service providers, who would like to know more about how to support students with ASD to be successful in the school setting.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder for Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective Instruction and Supports (PARAPro) is a self-paced course that will take approximately six hours to complete and provides ongoing access to training content for all registrants. Video presentations, activities, and knowledge checks are provided with each course module. Course modules include:
- General Autism Competences
- Comprehensive Instructional Programming
- Communication and Social Skills
- Environmental Structure and Visual Supports
- Behavior
- Promoting Independence and Self-DeterminatioN
Participants must pass the final quiz with a score of 80 percent or greater to obtain a certificate of completion. PARAPro registration and overview are available on the
VCU-ACE website.
If you have questions about this online course, please email autismcenter@vcu.edu or contact Samantha Gregory, Specialist for Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, and Assistive Technology, VDOE, at Samantha.Gregory@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 371-742
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in partnership with the Virginia Inclusive Practices Center at Radford University is providing an opportunity for participation in a technical assistance initiative to address inclusive practices. The purpose of this three-credit special topics course is to increase the capacity of school divisions to support an inclusive philosophy, use the Virginia Inclusive Action Planning Guide, and implement effective inclusive practices. The course addresses aspects of the VDOE’s Virginia statewide inclusion initiatives.
The course offering is EDSP 660 – Building Capacity for Inclusive Education in Public Schools and starts June 26, 2023. It includes two sections of a graduate-level online course designed for building-level administrators and others in positions of leadership within a school or school division. Each course section will be taught as a compressed, five-week online course for one summer session, Summer II (June 26-July 29, 2023). Space is limited to 45 participants. The cost of applying to Radford University as a non-degree seeking student, tuition for the course, and textbooks will be at no cost to participants.
A combination of synchronous face-to-face meetings and asynchronous modules that address themed topics and corresponding readings are included in the course. Courses are fast-paced and designed to work with varying needs of participants including flexibility around individual schedules. Both courses require participation in occasional synchronous communication using the Zoom platform. Textbooks will be provided electronically or mailed to the participants.
School divisions that do not meet State Performance Plan Indicator 5 goals for the percentage of time spent in general education settings receive priority enrollment. School and division teams are given priority over individual applicants. After May 15, 2023, any slots remaining will be awarded with geographic and school division distribution consideration. Those eligible to apply must be licensed building-level administrators or licensed teachers in positions of leadership, and employed in a Virginia public school division.
Applicants must submit the following:
- The Online Participation Interest Form must be completed by the close of business on May 12, 2023. Selected participants will be informed beginning
May 17, 2023. - An application to Radford University as a non-degree seeking student. University grant staff will notify the accepted nominees. Additional directions and assistance will be provided to participants about the process for applying to Radford University as a non-degree seeking student and the course registration process. The course professor will contact enrolled students and provide a syllabus.
For additional information about course expectations or the application process, contact
Dr. Darren Minarik, Co-Director of Virginia Inclusive Practices Center, Radford University, at DMinarik@radford.edu or (540) 250-6563. Contact Dr. Zenia Burnett, Director of Instructional Services, VDOE, at Zenia.Burnett@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2707 if you have questions about qualifying for this opportunity.
Virginia Department of Education-Sponsored Content Teaching Academies at James Madison University
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will sponsor the following content teaching academies June 26-29, 2023,
at James Madison University (JMU). The academies are designed to enhance the outcomes of students with disabilities
and promote inclusive practices. Registration for the academies may be
accessed online at JMU Content Teaching Academy 2023.
Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Supports May Not Be
Used to Delay or Deny Special Education Evaluations
The United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
recently reissued its guidance previously shared in OSEP Memoranda 11-07 and 16-07. These
memos address the prohibition of the use of Response to Intervention (RtI) to delay or deny
evaluation for education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
for school-aged and preschool children, respectively. The most recent reminder from OSEP
reiterates that the prohibition of utilizing RtI to delay or deny evaluations of students suspected of having disabilities applies to all tiered systems of support, including multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS).
MEMO 070-23
Virginia Department of Education-Sponsored Content Teaching Academies at James Madison University
SHOUT OUTS
Mrs. Evans at Southhampton Elementary does a great job!!
Dr.Hackney special education teacher at Southampton. Dr.Hackney is a team player and always helps me out when I need it. She’s very resourceful, reliable and very knowledgeable in the special education field.
Ms. Armstead/ ICC/RAS. She always makes time to check on me in person, although we are in different buildings, by doing weekly check in's and also making sure that we stay connected!
Shout out to Pam Ragin and team at Huguenot High for such an effective meeting for a student with multiple, challenging needs; and for such quick coordination and planning for prompt implementation of student services.
Donna Contessa. Special Education Teacher at Mary Munford in our specialty class: The patience of Job. Builds strong relationships with children and their families. Thinks out of the box to support students.
Ms. C. Dennis is an amazing Exceptional Education teacher who concentrates on math at River City. She leads our SOAR Academy and the Exceptional Education department. Ms. Dennis is extremely organized, a great leader, and a magnificent mentor. All of her students consistently show growth in age/grade-appropriate mathematics. She is positive, professional, and passionate about her Red Tail family!
I would like to shout out Karen Young, Transition Mentor Teacher. She was an awesome asset to our teachers and connected with several of our middle school students for the 2022-2023 school year.
Tammy Sellers - Intensive Support Mentor Teacher - Tammy has been so supportive and provides a lot of support with my students, especially with the new pilot program that came out this year. My kids adore her so much and so do I. So thankful that we were afforded this opportunity to participate in this program. Tammy is fabulous and I can't thank her enough for all her love, support, and encouragement!!!!
Amanda Dailey - Intensive Support Mentor Teacher - Amanda has been so supportive and provides a lot of support with my students especially with the new pilot program that came out this year. My kids adore her so much and so do I. So thankful that we were afforded this opportunity to participate in this program. Amanda is fabulous and I can't thank her enough for all her love, support, and encouragement!!!!
Shante Fisher - Hope 5th Grade Exceptional Education Teacher Overby Sheppard ES Ms. Hope has stepped in to take on additional children onto her caseload, providing services for multiple grades and sharing her expertise and experience with other members of our exceptional education staff. She is consistently coming up with new strategies and ideas to support our more challenged students.
I would like to shout out the EE team at Boushall Middle School. This year has been a trying and challenging year, however they have stepped up to manage their caseloads, classroom responsibilities, and additional tasks.
I would like to give a big THANK YOU to all of our exceptional education teachers for working diligently with our exceptional education students and providing differentiated services in resource settings and in co-taught settings. Your work ethic does not go unnoticed! Thank you to Mrs. Helen Askale, Mr. Israel Holi, Mrs. Dunnavant, and Ms. Dewind at Ginter Park Elementary School. You all rock and keep up the good work!
The Exceptional Education Team at Richmond Alternative School-AWESOME teachers and team members.
Mrs. Ulanda Friday and Ms. Renee Smith have been holding it down for the Exceptional Education department at George Wythe. Through everything that has been going on at the Wythe, the have managed to ensure that each member of our team feels supported and valued. Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed and they are so appreciated.
Mrs. Friday, GWHS Mrs. Friday is the Compliance Coordinator at Wythe. She works very hard to ensure that each exceptional education teacher at GWHS is managing his/her caseload well. She is ever ready to assist anyone who is behind schedule in completing IEPs that are out of compliance.
Keyla Pullen. She is the ICC at MLK. She has increased the number of students who have inclusive services instead of self-contained services. This has improved the learning environment for so many students, who use to be in small group learning environments for math and reading. It has also improved the overall culture of the school.
Kerry Johnson, from Broad Rock Elementary School, goes the extra mile for staff and students every day. She's always willing to support students in any grade level. She works hard for our students with exceptionalities and advocates for them. She gets along with everyone and is a joy to have in our school.
William Mason, Exceptional Education Teacher & Case manager at Boushall Middle School is an amazing new RPS teacher. He goes above and beyond to provide support to school, ensure compliance and seek to further his knowledge. He builds great relationships with everyone, scholar and staff alike, and is known to be positive & friendly. Thanks Mr. Mason for caring about not only the academics but also the climate of and for our scholars.
I would like to shout out Dr. Emily Stanford, the ICC at TJHS. Due to Open High being classified as a specialty school, I must get the support of student's zone schools for child study/eligibility or re-evaluation meetings. Dr. Stanford has been extremely supportive at responds immediately when I make any requests. I appreciate everything that she done for the Open High students that are zoned to TJ. She is definitely an asset to the division.
Tina Hutchinson and Patricia Hughes, exceptional education instructional assistants at Swansboro Elementary School are always willing to offer support to our students. Additionally, these ladies create wonderful hands-on activities to enhance IEP goals and objectives.
Rhonda Shannon-Exceptional Education Teacher-Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School Ms. Shannon is the absoulute best! She never hesitates to complete an assignment and will go above and beyond for the children of Oak Grove ES. She is dedicated to her job in so may ways, looking out for her colleagues, nurturing children, taking on assignments with a smile and leading the charge to have a better working environment for students and staff. Ms. Shannon completes her assignments efficiently and will assist her fellow teachers when they need a hand or support. She is a great leader with the Special Education Olympics and volunteers on other school committees. I salute Ms. Rhonda Shannon for going the extra mile and supporting all of the OGES students and staff. We appreciate you and acknowledge you as Exceptional Education teacher of the month!
Shout-out to Amber Bebbs, ICC at Swansboro Elementary School. She is always willing to support the exceptional education team at our school. She is an advocate for our students, families, and our team. Thanks for all you do!