Academic committee updates: special-education handbooks, student-data privacy and a push for more student voice

At its Sept. 9 committee report, Dr. Stapleton said the academic curriculum committee reviewed two special-education handbooks and recommended the board place both the K–12 and preschool special-education handbooks on the consent agenda for board approval. "Both of the handbooks are processes that have already been in place. I just wanted to create the handbook so we have the handbooks in writing," Dr. Stapleton said, describing the handbooks as a way to streamline procedures and make transitions between elementary, middle and high school clearer for families. Committee members also discussed student-data privacy and the district’s use of EdTech tools through the LEARN platform and the Student Data Privacy Consortium. The committee reviewed whether vendors have data-privacy agreements, how the district will secure data-processing agreements and processes to return or destroy data if the district declines a vendor. "This law basically is all about protecting student data and information," Dr. Stapleton said in summary. Professional-development priorities include amplifying student voice K–12 and aligning safety drills with PD sessions so staff can reflect on and improve practices. The committee also discussed math intervention group structures similar to reading interventions and noted the district’s current report-card status could move above a four-star rating pending final data. The handbooks, emergency operations plan and several operational items were placed on the consent agenda for the full board; the board later approved the consent items as presented.