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Norwalk Board hears rising special-education needs, approves recruitment and training plans
Summary
Superintendent and district special-education staff told the Norwalk Board of Education on Feb. 3 that special-education prevalence rose to about 18% and the district is expanding in-house programs, training and recruitment (including a district-funded cross-endorsement pathway and para-to-teacher options) to address staffing and caseload challenges.
At a Feb. 3 meeting, Norwalk Board of Education leaders laid out a multi-year response to rising special-education needs as the district seeks to keep services in-house while coping with unfunded state mandates.
Superintendent Dr. Estrella and special-education presenter Rob Pennington said the district’s prevalence rate for students with individualized education programs has increased from roughly 14% in 2020–21 to about 18% this year. "Our prevalence rate is at 18 percent," Pennington said, citing district records and comparisons with neighboring districts and the state average.
Why it matters: district officials said the growth in identified needs is driving higher staffing and service costs that state and federal funding have not matched. The administration provided a Shipman &…
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