Special Education Plan 2012-2013 - Algoma District School Board

Group TestingEach fall, all Grade Four and Grade Eight students of the Algoma District School Board areadministered the Canadian Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) and the Canadian CognitiveAbilities Test (C-CAT) by their classroom teachers under the supervision of the SpecialEducation Resource Teachers. The purpose of this testing is to screen all students for thepossibility of a learning disability or an intellectual exceptionality. For students in GradeFour this testing, having been administered months after the Grade Three ProvincialTesting (EQAO), is valuable in flagging students who may need further testing andintervention. .The Special Education Department review all of the testing and review with the Principalsany test scores which indicate a need for further individual assessment. Parents areinvited to review the results and the results are filed in the O.S.R.Testing, Consultation and TravelOur Special Education coordinators and the psychology team work together consulting andcompleting assessments. Over 125 formal psycho-educational assessment reports havebeen written in 2011 – 2012 school year.The Special Education Assignment Behaviour Teacher completed formal consultationreports and over 130 informal visits. CPI training courses on non-confrontationalintervention was delivered to school staff. There were Care and Treatment reviewmeetings. This school year the Integrated Behaviour classroom teachers participated in 4professional learning communities. The focus for the teachers was to strategize how toimprove student learning and to support the students. One of the primary classes haspartnered with Algoma Family Services in a pilot project. This project’s focus is to providesupport not only to the students but also the family.During the school year 2011 - 2012, the Special Education Assignment Teacher for theHard of Hearing (and Visually impaired) included school visits for equipment repairs andadjustments, student program support contacts, student screening reports and parent andagency contacts to support 101 students. Presently there are 80 sound field systemsthroughout our schools and 10 personal FM systems for students who need this support.Regular monthly reviews and checks are done to ensure the students’ needs are being metand to support the classroom teacher.The Speech and Language Pathologist has• analyzed and provided feedback for language observational checklists and provideddirect, individualized instruction to SERTs• completed 62 assessment, 45 of which were identified with a CommunicationExceptionality – Language Impairment.• Completed over 100 in-services/consultations (small and large group) throughoutthe district.Our ABA Support Staff was able to provide in-service throughout the district to SERTs,classroom teachers and educational assistants on many augmentative devices. ThereJune 2012 16 of 68