New program RISE aims to transform special education support

In a recent government meeting, officials provided updates on the RISE program, a new specialized initiative for special education students, which is currently being implemented at Whittier Elementary and Thurmont Middle School. The program is designed to support students who are working towards a diploma and those with social communication and executive functioning challenges. It aims to assist students who may have exhausted their services at their home schools, offering a more tailored educational environment.

The RISE program features a full-time special education teacher and three classroom assistants, with a coordinator overseeing operations between the two schools. The curriculum focuses on essential skills such as perspective-taking and managing the transition to multiple classes in middle school. However, the program is still in need of a dedicated teacher for the middle school setting, as recruitment efforts have not yet yielded a suitable candidate.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the establishment of a new Family Support Center located at Lincoln Elementary. This center, which will house various support programs, aims to provide families with resources and assistance. Officials expressed excitement about the center's potential to enhance community support, including a lending library and access to technology for families in need.

The meeting also touched on ongoing efforts to improve special education services through an audit conducted by a private consulting firm, PCG. The audit aims to identify areas for improvement within special education programming, with a focus on staffing and resource allocation. A staffing work group is set to meet in October to analyze data and make recommendations as the district prepares for budget season.

Overall, the discussions underscored a commitment to enhancing educational support for students with special needs and fostering community engagement through new resources and programs.