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Considerations for the Future of Special Education in BC
Family Focus Conference October 19, 2012
Langley, BC
The “traditional” model of Special Education
Special Education
General Education
Sea of Ineligibility
The Future of Special Education
PL A Year Ago
Imagine an education system…….
Recognizes and responds to the uniqueness of every single learner
Flexibility in where, when, and how learning takes place
Parents are effectively engaged in their child’s learning
Teachers are facilitators of learning
Supported by technology
Where We have Shifted to Today
Students are ready for school and schools are ready for students
The focus shifts from designation to supporting students learning needs based on where they are
Strong early intervention strategies are based on RTI
Universal design is a key foundation for planning
Needs Based Service Delivery Model
Inclusionary Philosophy & Beliefs
Differentiated InstructionParental/Caregiver
EngagementFostering Independence
Assistive Technology
Interprofessional Collaboration
Qualified StaffingInservice Training School Team Collaboration
Engagement of Agencies
InterventionPlanning
Referral ProcessPersonal Program Plans
Transition PlanningService Coordination
Where we Have Shifted to Today
Student support begins with a functional assessment
Teacher efforts are focused on providing supports to students and not on the burden of paperwork
RTI and universal design are endorsed and supported as provincial frameworks to meet the needs of all learners
Resource and support teachers focus on providing support to teachers as they work with students in classrooms
Where we Have Shifted to Today
Provincial resources are made available to build in-district capacity to support all learners
Learning support funding is based on a number of factors and not just student reporting
Compliance audits are replaced by quality reviews and plans for improvement
Success is measured by student achievement/progress
Resources and supports are allocated using a transparent model
Secondary students direct their own IEPs as much as possible
A transition years model for successful school completion is developed in collaboration with other sectors
Where we Have Shifted to Today
The Coming Year
What we will be focusing on in the coming year is:
Partnerships with School Districts to pilot a common vision based on three main components
• RTI/UDL
• Early Intervention practices and
• Transition Years Model
Possibilities??
Simplified IEP template
District and school-wide resource allocation models
Development of a UDL for BC framework/resource guide
Innovative professional development activities
Support guide for school based teams
Supports for reframing resource/support teacher roles
Focus for The Coming Year
COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects
... to explore innovative evidence-based practices in special education delivery to inform future service delivery models by giving school districts opportunity to:
• demonstrate new approaches to providing services to students within the BC-context, and
• provide recommendations regarding future use of each new approach/application.
Focus for The Coming Year
COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects
School districts will have opportunity to: • demonstrate new approaches to providing services to
students within the BC-context, and
• provide recommendations regarding future use of each new approach/application.
Focus for The Coming Year
COLLABORATIVE ACTION RESEARCH
Special Education District Innovation Projects
• Ten (10) Special Education District Innovation projects are to be selected from across the province.
• Each district that is selected will receive a grant of $30,000 to support their project.
• Should districts wish to collaborate on a joint project, they may do so with the proviso that one district is identified as the project lead.
Special Education Innovation Projects10 Districts
SD 23 Central OkanaganSD 28 QuesnelSD 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt MeadowsSD44 North VancouverSD 48 Sea to SkySD 52 Prince RupertSD 59 Peace River SouthSD 62 SookeSD64 Gulf IslandsSD68 Nanaimo-LadysmithSD79 Cowichan ValleyDiscovery School (Independent School)
Innovation Projects
Innovation Projects
Work to Date: • Initial meetings of representatives from the
projects to launch the projects• Working on identification and selection of
provincial mentors in key sub-theme areas of the projects
• On-going collaboration and support from Diversity, Equity and Early Learning Branch
• Funding for each district• Relief from reporting deadline requirements?
Innovation Projects
What’s Happening So Far?
Reflection and Feedback
Questions?
