1. A Technology-based Approach to Ensure the Provision of Related Services to Students in an Urban School Setting Kimberly A. Lewis, Ed.D. Executive Director, Special Education October 27, 2011

2. Vaughn G.
Started as a class action suit in 1984-assessments and services not being provided in a timely fashion
Background

3. School year 2004- 2005 audit by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
District relied on paper documentation for Related Services (PT, OT, Speech, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Audiology)
Practice of writing group notes/notes missing
92,000 + hours “missed”
Background

4. “Find it, fix it, keep it fixed.”
Management Oversight
The basis of our plan…
“Find it, fix it, keep it fixed.”

5. Implementation Plan: Four Components
1. Principals will ensure that all required IEP services are provided.
Implementation Plan: Four Components

6. 2. The Related Services Unit will implement an effective school- based management and supervisory model that results in improved services, enhanced coverage and higher performance standards.
Implementation Plan

7. 3. School- based staff will implement the Prevention Plan Process when unable to deliver required Related Services within required timelines.
Implementation Plan

8. 4. School- based staff will utilize Encounter Tracker (ET) to document the provision of IEP Related Services.
Implementation Plan

9. Why Have An Electronic System?
Build accountability
Maintain clinical documentation
Supervision of 550+ providers
Investigate suspected “interruptions”
Efficiency for audits
Why Have An Electronic System?

10. Electronic Components
Encounter Tracker
Electronic Prevention Plan
Maryland Online IEP
Enrollment and Attendance Data System
Electronic Components

11. Custom Compliance Reports
Unassigned Student Report
Missed Services Report
School-wide Compliance Reports
Data cleansing: ET/attendance mismatch, IEPs in draft
Custom Compliance Reports

12. Recent Accomplishments
“Remedy” completed
Improved accountability
Favorable MSDE and Medicaid Audits
Consent Decree ended after 26 years
Recent Accomplishments

13. Monitoring and Accountability
Daily Monitoring and Follow-up
Performance Management of Staff
Special Ed Stat
Monitoring and Accountability

14. Summary of MSDE Audit Results

15. Where Are We Now? Settlement Agreement Ending September 15, 2012
Focuses: missed services, least restrictive environment and discipline
Where Are We Now?

16. Where Are We Now? Shifting of resources to schools
Changing focus from compliance to quality and best practice
Where Are We Now?

17. Target Areas: Student Outcomes
Quality IEP decision making-One Year Plus
Inclusion
Co-teaching
Use of Technology
Best Practice
Rigor
Engagement
Intervention
Target Areas: Student Outcomes

18. Outcomes: Graduates Compared to Dropouts
Since 2010, there have been 154 more diplomas, and only 41 more dropouts
DRAFT

19. Outcomes: Meeting HSA Requirement in Different Ways All 12th Graders
DRAFT

20. Where We Are Now- District-wide
Increasing the Rigor of Teaching and Learning
Effectively Engaging Students in Schools
Designing Interventions Responsive to Student Needs
Data driven decision making- general and special educators
Professional learning communities for continuous development
Mutual accountability
Instructional Leadership

21. Academic Priorities: Ground the Work
Common Core SY
Common Core SY
Literacy Progress Monitoring
Study of the standards for school leaders
Developed STEM elementary units
Introduced Common Core to school leadership teams
PD to support Common Core focus areas – literacy and math
Curriculum revision begins; unit of study launched
Adapted benchmark assessments
Develop literacy support materials

22. Academic Priorities: Ground the Work
Instructional Framework SY
Instructional Framework SY
Developed Instructional Framework
Received input from 600 teachers
Held initial PD for school leaders and teachers
Included special educators and Related Service providers
Infuse Instructional Framework in PD for teachers
Increase feedback on instructional practice for teachers
Continue development of school leaders in observation and feedback using the Instructional Framework

23. Executive Director, Special Education
Contact Information
Kimberly A. Lewis, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Special Education
Baltimore City Public Schools
200 East North Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21202