PGCPS committee reviews equity-focused training, family survey and school examples for students with disabilities

Prince George’s County Public Schools officials told the Academic Achievement Committee on Jan. 27 that the district’s 2024–25 equity focus on students with disabilities has produced districtwide professional learning, school-level changes and early family feedback.

The update, led by Judith White, PGCPS chief academic officer and the superintendent’s designee to the committee, and David Reese, director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging, framed the work as part of a coordinated “theory of action” that began with optional summer learning modules and a mandatory Sept. 16, 2024, districtwide professional learning day for staff.

The committee heard data intended to give context to the effort: PGCPS has about 16,000 students identified with disabilities out of roughly 131,000–132,000 total students; approximately 74% of students with disabilities are reported to be in general education settings for more than 80% of the school day. Reese said the focus recognizes both that inclusion rates are a point of pride and that inclusion creates an imperative to strengthen general-education teachers’ capacity to teach students with disabilities.

Officials described a multi-pronged training…