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Mount Lebanon presents special-education and student-services program review; families, staff cite consistency and communication as top needs
Summary
District staff presented program-review findings for special education and student services, reporting survey and focus-group results and proposing next steps including a special-education state plan, website overhaul and recommendations next month.
Mount Lebanon School District administrators presented a program review of special education and student services at the board's April 21 meeting, reporting staff and family survey results, focus-group feedback and next steps toward the district's special-education state plan and the broader strategic plan.
Director of Special Education Dr. Schuman (presenting) said the reviews were intended for quality assurance and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. The staff special-education survey (distributed Dec. 6, 2024'Jan. 10, 2025) received 130 responses; the student-services staff survey received 93 responses; and a family survey produced 128 responses. Focus groups for special education drew 62 participants.
Administrators summarized strengths and growth areas that appeared across respondent groups. Reported strengths included a dedicated staff, inclusive practices and strong related services (blind/visually impaired, hearing impaired, speech, occupational and physical therapy and counseling). Top growth needs were consistent IEP implementation and communication across buildings, hiring and retention of support staff, elementary-level emotional-support programming and clearer 504-plan implementation.
Dr. Schuman said staff identified priority training needs such as crisis management and de-escalation strategies, executive-functioning supports, IEP goal writing and classroom implementation. Families asked for parent-focused training on neurodiversity and disability awareness, clearer communication about services, and support for student mental health and anxiety.
Administrators noted the district will submit a special-education state plan covering 2025'2028 and will provide district-specific recommendations next month. The presentation also included a planned website overhaul for Special Education and Student Services to improve transparency and access to materials, and staff said many items raised in focus groups were already in practice but need clearer communication.
Why it matters: The program review identifies operational gaps (communication, consistency and training) that affect students with IEPs and other specialized supports and sets a timeline for a state-required plan and district implementation steps.
What's next: Staff will present written recommendations next month; the special-education state report will cover school years 2025'28. The district's strategic plan draft is scheduled for public presentation in May.
