Annual Report of the Superintendent - North Branford Public Schools

Special Services staff has also participated in more specific
training in a variety of areas to address the specific needs
of their position/students. This included opportunities
to meet, consult, and develop strategies with consultants
and representatives from the Board of Education Services
for the Blind (BESB), American School for the Deaf (ASD),
Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES), Bureau
of Rehabilitative Services (BRS), Department of Mental
Retardation (DMR), Department of Children and Families
(DCF) and the Special Education Resource Center (SERC).
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
The Special Services Department has continued to obtain
information on Response to Intervention (RTI) in an
effort to provide students with increased intensive early
intervention. RTI involves the use of research based
instruction and assessment to close the achievement
gap, in accordance with NCLB and IDEA 2004. This will
be an ongoing effort undertaken jointly with building
administrators with the assistance of outside consultants
and information provided by the Connecticut State
Department of Education. The goal is for all students to
realize success in school, particularly in the area of reading
instruction.
All special education students in grades 3 thru 8 took
the CMT with the appropriate accommodations, if any,
as specified in their IEPs. All special education students
in grade 10 took the Connecticut APT with appropriate
accommodations, if any, as specified in their IEPs. Students
who were unsuccessful on one or more areas of the CAPT
were given the choice of re-taking the test or participating
in an alternative assessment. Staff members participated
in training on the CMT and CAPT checklists to ensure
administration fidelity.
Bridges
The Bridges Program at Totoket Valley Elementary School
(TVES) has continued to meet the needs of identified
special education students who require more intensive
behavioral support than the regular education setting
can provide. This year, approximately six students
participated in the program during the year. The program
has been successful in meeting the needs of students
with significant academic, social-emotional, and behavior
needs within the district. This has allowed them to receive
their education in the Least Restrictive Environment and
generally in their home school.
The Bridges Program at North Branford High School
(NBHS) has continued to meet the needs of identified
special education and regular education students who
have been unsuccessful in the traditional classroom
setting. This year, approximately 20 students participated
in the program at various times during the year.
The Bridges Committee has met no less than once
per marking period to review referrals, reflect on the
program’s functioning, and offer feedback to Bridges
staff. A sub-committee met on a monthly basis to review
cases and provide feedback. Morning meetings with the
students were implemented 3 times per week to assist
with weekly goal-setting and to foster a greater sense
of community within the classroom. There was also an
increase in counseling support for the program.
Life Skills
The Life Skills Program continues to expand opportunities
for students with significant disabilities to receive
special education services in inclusive settings. This year,
approximately 26 students from Kindergarten to grade
12 participated in the Life Skills Program across four
buildings.
The district continues to look for meaningful ways to
include disabled students in academic and recreational
activities with their nondisabled peers. The majority of
students participated in Social Studies/History, Science,
Allied Arts, Homeroom, Lunch, and Recess. In addition,
Life Skills students participated in community trips,
explored leisure activities, increased their pragmatic
language, improved their adaptive skills, and investigated
prevocational and vocational opportunities.
Life Skills students continue to receive unique educational
and extracurricular opportunities, such as inclusion in
Adaptive P.E., the Art of Living and Art of Leisure classes,
Unified Sports team, and The Best Buddies Program. These
classes and activities integrate disabled and nondisabled
peers in fun activities so they can learn from each other.
20 Annual Report to the Community www.northbranfordschools.org