REPORTS TO THE BOARD

Special Education Report

To: Michael Green
From: Deb Kernen
Date: 3/31/09
Re: April Special Ed Monthly Update

Last fall the Special Education department analyzed our WASL scores. We looked at our data compared to the state Special Education data and realized that at some grade levels, our scores are lower than the state. Using the OSPI website I identified 10 districts in the state that have similar demographics (student enrollment, Special Education population percentage, and free/reduced lunch percentage) and had WASL scores that are higher than our special education students. We decided to create a Reading/Writing and a Math Task Force to study what these other schools are doing to achieve these high WASL scores. Eighteen of our Special Education staff and six of our Literacy/Math Specialists have met 3 Monday mornings, continued to analyze data and created a list of questions that will be used when contacting the identified districts. I have attached the list of questions for your information. The charge of these groups is to analyze curriculum, service delivery models, and accommodations that are provided to their Special Education population in the districts identified. We will be compiling this information and making program adjustments as necessary.