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Office of Exceptional Learners outlines life-skills, IMHP and transition supports for 5,000+ students
Summary
Assistant directors Susan Mahoney and Cynthia Arnold presented an overview of special education services across Warren Township, describing life-skills and functional-academics programs, IMHP intensive mental-health classrooms and the Project SEARCH partnership; staff discussed curriculum implementation and an expanding early-childhood caseload.
The district’s Office of Exceptional Learners presented a comprehensive overview of special education services across the MSD Warren Township system. Assistant directors Susan Mahoney and Cynthia Arnold described programmatic elements including life-skills classrooms (alternate standards), functional-academics programs, and an IMHP intensive mental-health program that pairs classroom instruction with mental-health providers.
Staff reported serving more than 5,000 students in special programming districtwide and described implementation of research-based curricula (Teachtown Encore) for life-skills students, benchmark assessments and a crosswalk to the state’s new IEP system (PowerSchool) after a statewide migration. Presenters highlighted Project SEARCH placements for high-school students and community-based instruction that prepares students for employment and independence.
The presentation included examples of student success — staff described students moving from specialized settings into general-education classrooms and referenced specific local success stories — and outlined summer professional development and grant-funded supports aimed at improving IEP compliance and outcomes. Administration told the board they will implement additional classrooms next year and continue monthly data reviews to monitor progress and compliance.
No formal action was requested; the board received the report and offered thanks to the Office of Exceptional Learners for its work.
