Charles County Public Schools lays out special‑education strategic plan as staffing, safety and disproportionality top concerns

Larry Johnson, director of special education for Charles County Public Schools, presented a near‑final strategic plan for special education to the Board of Education at its May 13 meeting, outlining priorities on instruction, access, safety and workforce retention.

The plan — developed with a stakeholder work group and parents — clusters initiatives into four priorities: (1) student learning and specially designed instruction, anchored in a clarified multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) and new programmatic handbooks; (2) access and equity, including a full continuum for pre‑K3/4 and new transcript endorsements for non‑diploma tracks; (3) student safety, with a new district team implementing guidance and templates in response to state elopement legislation (House Bill 1204); and (4) talent development and case‑manager workload reductions, including restoring access to the Goalbook IEP tool and a teacher workload committee.

Johnson said the plan grew from a large body of input — special‑education committee meetings, CCAC parent groups and the superintendent’s strategic plan — and aims to finalize language after more stakeholder review.

"That's what today is about — what is our plan, our strategic plan for special education," Johnson said. He told board members the document remains draft while staff collect further public comment and finalize implementation…