District reports gains for students with disabilities; first student to exit with state employability credential

Dr. Jill Christmas, director of special education, presented a report on services and outcomes for students with disabilities and highlighted multiple gains over the past year.

Christmas told the board the district increased the percentage of students with disabilities who are career ready (she cited 48 percent) and said the district exceeded the state goal for career readiness for students with disabilities. The presentation noted the district’s first student to exit school with a state‑recognized employability credential.

Adult education outcomes for students with disabilities improved: the presentation said the district increased the share of students aged 16–21 completing adult ed with a diploma or GED from 13 percent to 50 percent in the latest cohort. The presentation also reported an increase in industry‑recognized credentials earned by students with disabilities (from 25 percent to 85 percent in the cited example, with medical‑related credentials singled out).

Christmas described curricular and programmatic work: implementation of evidence‑based reading and math curriculums for specialized classes, expanded programming (a new extensive‑needs class at Newberry Middle and a self‑contained class at Whitmire), a district Project Unified effort to increase inclusion and advisory groups that include parents and community members. She also described work‑based learning partnerships and job‑coach placements that led to both industry credentials and paid employment offers for students in some cases. The presentation included notes on Special Olympics participation and a unified prom as recent inclusive activities.

Ending: Christmas asked community members to help identify additional employer partners for work‑based placements; she said the district will continue training and implementation of the adopted curricula and report progress in future board updates.