NPS:Special Education
Contents
Links to Student Services Reports
There are nine Students services reports delivered to the school committee every year.
"Each report tracks special education aide assignments, compares special education and preschool aide budgets by FTE, provides a cost breakdown for special education aides including pre-k aides, provides preschool enrollment analysis by month, details the contracted services and out-of-district placements accounts, and reports special education transportation spending."
Links to the reports below. The summary of each section is included here. See the full report for the tables of more detailed information
June, 2010
The following changes are noted
- There are newly identified student needs (1.7) and replacement of staff (1.0). However as a result of staff vacancies (3.0) and changes in student needs (.1), there is a .4 decrease in the number of special education aides.
- Contracted services has increased by $20,000 to bring in• outside service providers because of staff leaves of absence.
- The enrollment in the integrated preschool is up by three students (two students with special needs and one student without special needs).
- The number of students placed out-of-district is increased by four from last month – five students were placed out-of-district (one at the middle school level, three at the high school level, and one as a result of a cost share agreement). One student aged out of their placement at the high school level but there was a small decrease in cost due to lowered estimates for year end placements.
- The number of students receiving special education transportation is up by 14 students from last month. However there was no increase in cost because of existing vehicles/routes as well as changes in out-of-district placements. The net result is that the variance to the budget improved.
Central High School
As of June 1, 2010, 15 students are enrolled at Central High School. Four additional students have been referred to the program.
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP) is currently serving 280 students. As of June 2, 2010, the program includes 81 students with special needs and 73 students without special needs in integrated preschool classrooms. Two students referred by Early Intervention with special needs, were placed in integrated classrooms. One student enrolled in an integrated classroom as a student without special needs. Students receiving speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy or social pragmatics includes 126 students. The preschool is evaluating 70 students. The increase in evaluations is due to the special education requirement to evaluate and hold a Team Meeting before a child turns three years of age. We are evaluating children who turn three between now and September 20, 2010 in order to be in compliance with this regulation. NECP provides two students, attending community preschools, with 504 Accommodation Plans.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 166 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of May, five students were placed out-of-district (one student moved into the district resulting in an out-of-district placement at the middle school level, three students were placed out at the high school level and one student was added to the cost share list). In addition, there was one student who aged out of their placement at the high school level. There were no changes at the elementary level.
Special Education Transportation
As of June 7, 2010, a total of 506 students receive special education transportation (147 students to private placements/359 within the Newton Public Schools).
May, 2010
The following changes are noted:
- This month as a result of newly identified student needs and replacement of staff, there is an increase in the number of special education aide positions (2.7). The variance to the budget is slightly increased.
- Contracted services has increased by $100,000 to meet unanticipated student needs and to bring in outside service providers because of staff leaves of absence or vacancies.
- The total enrollment in the preschool program is 277 (79 students with special needs; 72 students without special needs and 126 who receive related services).
- The number of students placed out of district is 162. The variance to the budget is increased.
- 492 students with special needs receive transportation (140 students are in out of district placements/352 students within NPS). The variance to the budget is decreased as a result of changes in student placements out of district.
Central High School
As of May 4, 2010 14 students are enrolled at Central High School. Two additional students have been referred.
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP) is currently serving 277 students. As of May 5, 2010 the program includes 79 students with special needs and 72 students without special needs in integrated preschool classrooms. Three students with special needs were placed in integrated classrooms (two children referred by Early Intervention and one child referred by his parents) following initial eligibility meetings. One student has joined an integrated classroom as a student without special needs. The number of students receiving related services (speech and language, occupational, and/or physical therapies or social pragmatics) is 126. Seventy-four students are currently being evaluated. The increase in evaluations is due to the special education requirement to evaluate and hold a Team Meeting before a child turns three years of age. Therefore, evaluators are evaluating children who turn three between now and September 20, 2010 in order to be in compliance with this regulation. NECP provides two students, attending community preschools, with 504 Accommodation Plans.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 162 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of April, at the high school level, four students were placed, two students aged out of their placements, one student returned to Newton Public Schools and one student changed from a day placement to a cost share placement. At the middle school level, there was one change in placement from day to residential. There were no changes at the elementary level.
Special Education Transportation
As of April 30, 2010, a total of 492 students receive special education transportation (140 students to private placements/352 within the Newton Public Schools).
April, 2010
The following changes are noted:
- This month this is a slight increase in student needs, however as a result of students moving out of district and/or into an out of district placement, and staff vacancies and/or reassignments, there is a decrease in the number of special education aide positions. The variance to the budget is decreased.
- The total enrollment in the preschool program is 263 students (76 students with special needs; 71 students without special needs and 116 students who receive related services).
- The number of students placed out of district is 160. The variance to the budget is decreased.
- 475 students with special needs receive transportation (130 are in out of district placements/345 within NPS). The variance to the budget is decreased as a result of changes in out of district and within district placements.
Central High School
As of March 31, 2010 12 students are enrolled at Central High School. Three additional students have been referred.
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP) is currently serving 263 students. As of April 5, 2010 the program includes 76 students with special needs and 71 students without special needs in integrated preschool classrooms. Three students with special needs were placed in integrated classrooms (one child referred by Early Intervention, one child referred by his parents and community preschool, and one child moved to Newton) following eligibility meetings. One student from an integrated classroom moved out of Newton. The number of students receiving related services (speech and language, occupational, and/or physical therapies or social pragmatics) is 116. Forty-nine students are currently being evaluated and two students, attending community preschools, are on 504 Accommodation Plans.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 160 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of March, there were no changes at the elementary and middle school levels. At the high school level, two students were placed out-of-district and one student was placed out-of-district for a short term of thirteen days. Ten students are pending placement.
Special Education Transportation
As of April 6, 2010, a total of 475 students receive special education transportation (130 students to private placements/345 within the Newton Public Schools).
March, 2010
The following changes are noted:
- This month there are additional student needs, however as a result of staff resignations and reassignments, there is no change in the number of special education aide positions. The variance to the budget is slightly decreased.
- The number of students placed out of district is 158. The variance to the budget is slightly decreased.
- 471 students with special needs receive transportation (134 are in out of district placements/337 within NPS). The variance to the budget is slightly increased as a result of increased needs.
Central High School As of March 4, 2010 11 students are enrolled at Central High School. Two additional students have been referred.
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP) is currently serving 244 students. As of March 1, 2010 the program includes 74 students with special needs and 71 students without special needs in integrated preschool classrooms. Two students with special needs were placed in integrated classrooms (two children referred by Early Intervention) following initial eligibility meetings. Students receiving speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy or social pragmatics includes 99 students. The preschool is evaluating 49 students and provides two students, attending community preschools, with 504 Accommodation Plans.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 158 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of February, five students were placed out-of-district (one from the elementary level, one from the middle school level and three through cost share agreements.) In addition, at the high school level one student ended their placement and at the middle school level one student changed their placement.
Special Education Transportation
As of February 25, 2010, we have a total of 471 students receiving Special Education Transportation. We currently have 134 private placements and 337 within the system.
February, 2010
The following changes are noted
- There is 3.4 increase in PreK-12 special education aide positions. This is as a result of additional student needs and vacancy replacements. The variance to the budget has slightly increased from last month.
- The total enrollment in the preschool program is 231 (72 students with special needs; 71 students without special needs and 88 students who receive related services).
- The number of students placed out-of-district is 154. Three students were placed out-of-district in January. The variance to the out-of-district tuition budget decreased from last month.
- 458 students receive transportation services (129 students to private placements/329 within NPS). The variance to the budget has increased as a result of increased needs.
Central High School
As of January 28, 2010, 13 students are enrolled at Central High School. Eight additional students have been referred.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 154 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of January, three students were placed out-of-district (one at the preschool level, one at the middle school level and one through a cost share agreement). In addition, two students ended their placements at the high school level.
Special Education Transportation
As of January 28, 2010, we have a total of 458 students
January, 2010
This report was scanned in a way which made it hard to extract the data. Click the link to see the full report. If anyone has time to retype the data here, that would help.
December 2009
The following changes are noted:
- There is a 2.2 increase in PreK-12 special education aide positions. This continues as a result of students moving into the district and additional student needs. The variance to the budget has improved from last month.
- Two children left the preschool reducing the classroom enrollment to 135 (65 students with special needs; 70 students without special needs). The total enrollment in the preschool program is 216 including 81 children who receive related services.
- Contracted services remains the same as last month.
- The number of students placed out-of-district is 149 – 10 students were placed out-of-district. The variance to the out-of-district tuition budget has increased from last month.
Central High School
As of December 4, 2009, 11 students are enrolled at Central High School. A new student was expected to enter the program on December 7, 2009. Six additional students are in the referral process.
Preschool Status - Enrollment FY 09-10
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Programs (NECP) is currently serving 216 students. Asof December 1, 2009 the program includes 65 students with special needs and 70 studentswithout special needs in integrated preschool classrooms. One student, withspecial needs, was unilaterally placed, by parents, in a private special education school. One student without specialneeds has moved out of the district. Students receiving speech and language, occupationaltherapy, physical therapy or social pragmatics includes 81 students. The preschool is evaluating 40 students and provides 1 student, attending a community preschool, with a 504Accommodation Plan.
Out-of-District Accounts
There are currently 149 students in out-of-district placements. During the month of November, 10 students were placed out-of-district (2 at the elementary level, 2 at the middle school level, 1 at the high school level and 5 through cost share agreements).
Special Education Transportation
As of today, we have a total of 425 students receiving Special Education Transportation. We currently have 126 private placements and 299 within the system.
November, 2009
The following changes are noted
- There is a 6.5 increase in PreK-12 special education aide positions. This is the result of students moving into the district and additional student needs. Funds were transferred from the tuition budget to better manage the aide budget.
- Two children transitioned into the preschool program increasing classroom enrollment of special education students to 66 (total enrollment 212 including 75 children who receive related services).
- Contracted services have increased. This is the result of an increase in services provided by outside vendors and of employee leaves - funds were transferred from the substitute and tuition accounts to manage the contracted services account.
- 405 students receive transportation services (120 students to private placements/285 within NPS). The transportation estimate has increased - the result of a review of invoices for newer routes and
an assessment of all routes for the year.
Central High School
There are currently nine students enrolled at Central High School with six additional students in the referral process. Staff includes a full time counselor and three teachers certified in math, science, English, and social studies. Two of the teachers are dual certified in their content area and special education. There are also two aides - one certified in physical education and the other certified in geography/social studies. The mission of the program is to provide students with access to education within a supportive, therapeutic environment. Full program approval from the DESE was received on
November 2, 2009.
Preschool Status - Enrollment FY 09-10
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Program (NECP)
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Program (NECP) is currently serving 212 students. As of November 1, 2009 the program includes 66 students with disabilities and 71 students without disabilities in integrated preschool classrooms. Students receiving speech and language, occupational therapy,physical therapy or social pragmatics includes 75 students. The preschool is evaluating 44 students andprovides 1 student, attending a community preschool, with a 504 Accommodation Plan.
Out-of-District Accounts
There are currently 139 students in out-of-district placements. Four students ended their placements, one at the elementary level and three at the high school level. Two students were placed out through a cost share agreement with parents and four students had a change in their placement. There was no change at the middle school level.
Special Education Transportation
As of today, we have 405 students receiving Special Education Transportation between private placements (120) and schools and services within the system (285).
October, 2009
Special Education Aide Assignments
There is a 5.1 increase in aide positions over the approved 354.1. The increase in aides is because of changes in current students’ needs, students newly identified as having special needs, and students with
needs who recently moved into Newton. Additional aide support is anticipated in the months ahead as IEPs are finalized and students with needs move into the district. Any increases or decreases in aide
support will be updated in future reports.
200 children are enrolled in the preschool program - 64 students with disabilities are currently in integrated classrooms. This is an increase of 15 students from October 2008 (five children moved in to
Newton with IEPs; 10 children were identified the spring 2009 and/or turned three and referred from Early Intervention.
The number of students placed out of district is 141.
375 students receive transportation services (111 students to private placements/264 within the Newton Public Schools).
Preschool Status - Enrollment FY 08-09
The Newton Early Childhood Preschool Program (NECP) is currently serving 200 students. In October 2008, the program included 49 students with disabilities placed in the integrated preschool classrooms.
As of October 1, 2009, 64 students with disabilities are placed in integrated preschool classrooms. The increase of 15 students, from October 2008 to October 2009 includes five students who moved in from July 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 with Individual Education Programs from other cities, towns, or states requiring placement in an integrated special education preschool. The additional 10 students account for children evaluated in the spring of 2009 and as a result are placed in an integrated classroom and/or student turning three years old and referred from Early Intervention. The preschool is evaluating 43 students and provides one student, attending a community preschool, with a 504 Accommodation Plan.
Out-of-District Accounts
Currently there are 141 students in out-of-district placements. Since June 30, 2009, 11 students graduated, two students returned to the district, one student dropped out, two students were privately placed, eight students with cost share agreements ended, three students moved, five students aged out, for a total of 32 placements ended. In addition, 19 students have been placed and 11 students have had a change in placement.
Special Education Transportation
As of today, October 2, 2009, we have 375 students receiving Special Education Transportation between private placements (111) and schools and services within the system (264).
No minutes appear to be available after March 8th. Meeting summaries only are posted so far. No meetings summaries are available after 5/24. Will post when available --Gregorio 17:48, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
No SPED discussion at this meeting.
No SPED discussion at this meeting.
He (Jim Marini) also announced that the Special Education program evaluation study bid was awarded to District Community Partners (web site) and the project is underway.
Student Services Report: Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, asked the Committee if the monthly report has been helpful and if they have any additional information that they would like her to include. Committee members commented that the current report is more of a budgetary document and requested more information around changes in population and programs, out-of-district comparisons, trends, and student achievement.
No SPED discussion at this meeting.
- Parent thanked the Committee and administration for all the hard work they do for Newton’s children. Her son had severe developmental delay issues but, as a result of early intervention in the Education Center preschool and excellent programs and staff at Countryside Elementary School and Brown Middle School, he is doing very well.
- FY10 Budget ... Continued savings in salaries and utilities serve to offset increases in health insurance, unemployment and SPED....
- Budget Discussion, Sandy Guryan: ...In addition, the federal stimulus funds have helped bring down the cost of SPED. That will continue in FY11 and the challenge will then come in FY12. They have developed some very creative and innovative ways to run SPED programs, including the new alternative high school, which has resulted in cost savings...
- Math Coaches ... Paul Stein explained that the middle schools have been spending a great deal of professional development for teachers to meet in grade level department meetings working on common assessments and benchmarks and math coaches are critical in that process. They are experts in content and pedagogy and model for teachers directly in the classroom, as well as helping SPED staff with differentiating instruction. ...
- Steve Griffin Principal of Zervas Elementary School on Budget One area of major concern is the amount of mental health work principals have taken on, so maintaining the social workers is helpful. In addition, principals spend more time around SPED issues, which have become more complex without increased resources.
Links to NPS and PAC Web SPED Sites
Newton Parent Advisory Committee Web Site: http://www.newtonpac.org
PAC Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newtonpac/
Main Newton Special Education Page: http://www3.newton.k12.ma.us/studentservices
Special Education Programs and Services
History of special education in Newton
Anyone with history, please add it here or leave it on the discussion page.
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The main Newton Public Schools Documentation Project page is here: Home Page
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Much of this information is extracted from the document archive linked from All School Committe Docs
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