Superintendent presents special-education, intervention and dual-language enrollment trends to Berwyn South SD 100 board

Superintendent Dr. Mary Havens presented a follow-up report on enrollment and special-education staffing at the Berwyn South School District 100 board meeting, providing requested data and explaining staffing decisions driven by student needs.

Havens said the district still has its largest share of students spending 80% or more of the day in general education settings and described targeted instruction and explicit writing supports across grade levels. "We have implemented explicit targeted instruction to strengthen students' writing skills and enhance the clarity of their constructive responses across all grade levels," she said.

Havens and staff explained that some staffing shifts placed more teachers into special programs where needed and that intervention staffing has increased in recent years. The district added math interventionists at each middle school and used ESSER funds to create and sustain some positions; the district later incorporated those positions into the operating budget when ESSER funding ended.

Board members asked how teachers and interventionists allocate time when enrollment declines. Staff said interventionists primarily pull small groups for tier-3 intervention but the district uses scheduling strategies (a 'win block') so students receive core instruction and certified support without being pulled from core lessons.

Board members also raised concerns about dual-language continuity into middle school and requested longitudinal retention data showing how many students who start in dual-language programs continue through eighth grade. Staff agreed to compile and provide that analysis at a future meeting.