Considerations for the Future of Special Education in BC

Family Focus Conference October 19, 2012 Langley, BC

The traditional model of Special Education

Special Education

Sea of Ineligibility General Education

The Future of Special Education

PL A Year Ago
Imagine an education system.

Recognizes and responds to the uniqueness of every single learner

Flexibility in where, when, and how learning takes place

Parents are effectively engaged in their childs learning Teachers are facilitators of learning Supported by technology

Where We have Shifted to Today

Students are ready for school and schools are ready for students The focus shifts from designation to supporting students learning needs based on where they are

Strong early intervention strategies are based on RTI

Universal design is a key foundation for planning

Needs Based Service Delivery Model

Inclusionary Philosophy & Beliefs Differentiated Instruction Parental/Caregiver Engagement Fostering Independence Assistive Technology

Intervention Planning Referral Process Personal Program Plans Transition Planning Service Coordination

Interprofessional Collaboration Qualified Staffing Inservice Training School Team Collaboration Engagement of Agencies

Where we Have Shifted to Today

Student support begins with a functional assessment Teacher efforts are focused on providing supports to students and not on the burden of paperwork

RTI and universal design are endorsed and supported as provincial frameworks to meet the needs of all learners
Resource and support teachers focus on providing support to teachers as they work with students in classrooms

Where we Have Shifted to Today

Provincial resources are made available to build in-district capacity to support all learners

Learning support funding is based on a number of factors and not just student reporting
Compliance audits are replaced by quality reviews and plans for improvement Success is measured by student achievement/progress

Where we Have Shifted to Today

Resources and supports are allocated using a transparent model Secondary students direct their own IEPs as much as possible A transition years model for successful school completion is developed in collaboration with other sectors

The Coming Year

What we will be focusing on in the coming year is:
Partnerships with School Districts to pilot a common vision based on three main components RTI/UDL Early Intervention practices and

Transition Years Model

Possibilities??
Simplified IEP template
District and school-wide resource allocation models

Development of a UDL for BC framework/resource guide

Innovative professional development activities

Support guide for school based teams

Supports for reframing resource/support teacher roles

Focus for The Coming Year

COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects ... to explore innovative evidence-based practices in special education delivery to inform future service delivery models by giving school districts opportunity to: demonstrate new approaches to providing services to students within the BC-context, and provide recommendations regarding future use of each new approach/application.

Focus for The Coming Year

COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects

School districts will have opportunity to:

demonstrate new approaches to providing services to students within the BC-context, and provide recommendations regarding future use of each new approach/application.

Focus for The Coming Year

COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects

Ten (10) Special Education District Innovation projects are to be selected from across the province. Each district that is selected will receive a grant of $30,000 to support their project. Should districts wish to collaborate on a joint project, they may do so with the proviso that one district is identified as the project lead.

Innovation Projects

Special Education Innovation Projects 10 Districts SD 23 Central Okanagan SD 28 Quesnel SD 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows SD44 North Vancouver SD 48 Sea to Sky SD 52 Prince Rupert SD 59 Peace River South SD 62 Sooke SD64 Gulf Islands SD68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith SD79 Cowichan Valley Discovery School (Independent School)

Innovation Projects
Work to Date: Initial meetings of representatives from the projects to launch the projects Working on identification and selection of provincial mentors in key sub-theme areas of the projects On-going collaboration and support from Diversity, Equity and Early Learning Branch Funding for each district Relief from reporting deadline requirements?

Innovation Projects
Whats Happening So Far?

Reflection and Feedback

Questions?