Special education team collaborates to enhance math and reading outcomes in classrooms

The Creighton Elementary District Governing Board convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss key initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes, particularly for students with disabilities. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate special education within general education frameworks, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between departments.

The discussion began with a focus on ensuring that students with disabilities are included in core academic goals for reading and math proficiency. Board members acknowledged that most special education students spend the majority of their time in general education classrooms. To address this, the district is working closely with the CIA team and Dr. Pambo to merge efforts across departments. This collaboration includes regular learning walks and classroom observations to assess success criteria and instructional practices.

A significant point raised was the need for the establishment of SMART goals within the special education department. Board members expressed that without clear starting, midpoint, and endpoint metrics, progress would be difficult to measure. The conversation underscored the necessity of setting baselines and utilizing data to inform instructional strategies and improve student outcomes.

The board also discussed the implementation of the SRA program, which is in its first year. Members emphasized the importance of correlating program data with state and district benchmarks to ensure that students are making measurable progress. The need for additional coaching staff was highlighted, as the current number of coaches is insufficient to support the growing demands of the program.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored a commitment to continuous improvement in educational practices, particularly for students with unique needs. The board plans to revisit these discussions in future meetings to track progress on the established goals and ensure that all students receive the support necessary to succeed academically.