Act 117: “Every Child A Learner” Presented by: Vermont Department of Education Vermont School Boards Association

Workshop Goals Review goals and activities of Act 117 Define school board’s role in overseeing the creation and monitoring of an effective education support system for all learners

What Is Act 117? Passed in the spring of 2000 Strengthen capacity of education system to meet the educational needs of all Vermont students

Act 117 Goals Increase capacity of general education Improve consistency of implementation of special education Promote cost containment and effectiveness

2002 Report to Legislature Status report on early outcomes and activities to implement Act 117

History of ESS 1990 Act Act Act Act 117

Increased Flexibility in Use of Special Education Students with IEPs only Core Staff IEPs Section 504 Accommodation Plans EST Plans Students without any plans under certain conditions

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Why Students Aren’t Succeeding Think tank approach What can we do about it Do we have data to support?

Why Students Aren’t Succeeding What does Child Count data tell us? Incidence rate Most common disability categories Age/grade when identified Gender differences Profile or evaluations

One School’s Story Obstacles to student success We can change this We might be able to change this We probably cannot change this

One School’s Story Contributors to student success Characteristic causes student success Characteristic is teachable Characteristic can be developed or compensated for

One School’s Story Critical next steps What we can and can’t control Prioritize student needs What currently exists to meet the needs Is it working

One School’s Story Critical next steps Identify matches and gaps Prioritize unmet needs Put into Action Plan

Keys to Ed. Support System Comprehensive system School board policy Clear system for discipline Supports students to meet standards Ongoing assessment and evaluation

Keys to Ed. Support System Training to increase general education capacity Collaboration with community Described annually to parents Includes Educational Support Team

Keys to the Ed. Support Team Meets regularly Members from variety of positions Method to refer to team Keeps a record of actions Develops individual plans

Keys to the Ed. Support Team Assures follow-up Provides for transitions Reviews, revises, ends plan

Keys to the Ed. Support Team Timely referral to special education Looks for patterns Informs Action Plan Information to ESS

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Keys to Ed. Support Team Plan Clarifies who/what/when/how Includes follow-up on effectiveness Provides for transitions

Keys to Ed. Support Team Plan Reviewed, revised, or ended Shared with parents and appropriate staff Part of student file/record

Guiding Principle What would you want to have happen if this were your child?

Role of the School Board Work with administrators to define goals for educational support systems Establish accountability systems Direct creation of time lines Monitor progress through benchmarks

Role of the School Board Understand and use student data Receive periodic Action Plan reports Recognize and support staff efforts to improve student achievement and success

Role of the School Board Ask right questions – provide informed oversight Direct reallocation of funds when data supports it Look for ESS funds from Medicaid IEP, EPSDT, Act 60 Poverty, Title I, BEST, others

Role of the School Board Support efforts by allowing and encouraging reallocation of funds to programs that match needs, priorities, and that are effective Adopt key policies (ESS, professional development, assessment, action plan, evaluation, curriculum….)

Act 117 Resources & Power Point Slides