Special Education Parent Advisory Group November 16, 2016 James Cooney, M.A. Director of Special Services

Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) Our mission is to facilitate communication between students, parents, community members, Special Services administrators, and the Board of Education, for the purpose of improving the quality of district-wide special education policies, programs, and practices. SEPAGs are required for all school districts in New Jersey. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14- 1.2(h) states that: “Each board of education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.” The SEPAG offers the opportunity to raise questions, to voice your concerns, and to have direct input to the district.

Introductions-Education Background -Bachelor of Arts: Rutgers University -Masters Degree in Psychology: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology -Masters Degree/Certification in School Psychology: Fairleigh Dickinson University -Masters Degree in Educational Administration: Caldwell University -NJDOE Certifications: * School Psychologist * Supervisor * Principal

Introductions-Professional Background - School Psychologist: Kearny High School, September 2000-December 2001 - School Psychologist: South Orange Maplewood, December 2001-2008 (2006-2007, Acting Assistant Principal at Maplewood Middle School) - Supervisor of Special Services: Westwood, 2008-2010 - Director of Special Services: Lakeland Regional High School, 2010-2016 (4 years in a Tri- District Model) -Director of Special Services: River Dell Regional School District, Present * District 504 Administrator * District Affirmative Action Officer

Department of Special Services-Programs and Services River Dell High School: -General Education: In-class support/resource -Resource: All content areas -Self-Contained: Academics and Transition -Care Plus-School Based Counseling -Social Skills Groups -Related Services -Study Skills -SLE/Community Based Instruction -Share Time River Dell Middle School: -General Education: In-class support/resource -Resource: All content areas -Self-Contained -Care Plus-School Based Counseling -Social Skills Groups -Related Services -Study Skills

Special Services Website -Contact information for the Child Study Team and Director -Teacher names at RDHS and RDMS -Important Announcements -Parent Special Education Information (P.R.I.S.E., Chapter 6A:14) -Community programs for students and parents -Special Education Parent Group Information -Announcements

Philosophy -Least Restrictive Environment -Inclusion in the non-academic -The life long learner: What does this mean? * Academic skills * Social Skills * Self-advocacy * Technology * Career Planning/Post-secondary goals

Department of Special Services-Goals Programmatically * Increased mental health counseling * Development of electives * In-class Support Model Staff * Increased training for teachers in collaborative teaching * Increased training for teachers in student mental health * Increased training for CST in the alignment of PLAAFPS, Goals and Objectives, and LRE statement * Increased training for aides

Department of Special Services-Goals Parents: * Communication about community programs * Increasing SEPAG attendance * Inclusion of parents in the special education process * Development of parent support * Communication with parents about special education updates from NJDOE

Special Education Updates * Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)-Updated * PARCC Accommodation Manual 5th Edition: PARCC.org * PARCC Testing Windows: ELA: Grades 6-11; March 27, 2017-May 19, 2017 Math: Grades 7-8; March 27, 2017-May 19, 2017 Grades 9-12; March 27, 2017-May 19, 2017 (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2)

Tips for Parents - Frequent communication with case manager - Communicate with your student’s teachers. This goes for support teachers! - Communicate with the Director - Come to an IEP meeting with an agenda, list of concerns, goals for your student - Request a meeting - Communicate with your SEPAG liaison

SEPAG Timeline 2nd meeting: January 2017 3rd meeting: March 2017 4th meeting: May 2017

Questions