Prince William County Public Schools highlights inclusion gains, honors Purple Star and RAMP schools

Prince William County Public Schools presented a progress report on special education and inclusion at its April 22 board meeting, highlighting divisionwide gains in placing students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in general‑education settings and recognizing schools that earned Virginia Purple Star and ASCA RAMP designations.

"We are pleased to be here this evening to provide an update on special education in PWCS," said Dr. Ashley Reyher, associate superintendent for special education, as she introduced a team that described a rise in the number of students receiving services alongside peers without disabilities. Reyher said the division is serving "more than 13,500 students" with IEPs and framed the inclusion work as central to the district strategic plan.

Dr. Aimee Holleb, director of special education specialized instruction, said research supports inclusive practices and outlined measurable progress: more students are spending increased time in general education, some students have moved from specialized programs into resource models, and, since the first day of school, "82 students have moved from specialized programs to the resource model," a change she described as driven by IEP team decisions.

The board also recognized school‑level accomplishments tied to counseling and military‑family supports. Lisa James, a mental health specialist, noted that 12 PWCS schools earned the ASCA Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation this year, bringing the division to 22 active RAMP schools. She cited selected outcomes the division attributes to counseling program improvements: a 27% reduction in absences among identified 10th‑grade female students at Potomac High School, a reported 100% improvement in quarter‑to‑quarter failing‑grade rates for Black and Hispanic students at the Governor's School @ Innovation Park, a 53% reduction in exclusionary discipline for identified Black male students at Benton Middle School, and a 44% decrease in absences for identified first‑ and second‑grade students at Innovation Elementary School.

Colonel Jenny A. Colegate, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Quantico, thanked schools for their Purple Star designation and described the importance of consistent supports for military‑connected children, noting that military families typically move frequently and that school‑based continuity matters.

Presenters highlighted family engagement services: Eleanor Contreras described the Parent Resource Center's outreach, reporting more than 60 workshops and more than 390 individualized consultations last year and strong participant satisfaction. Reyher and Holleb emphasized investments in staffing and professional learning — including additional teaching assistants in K‑12 specialized programs, co‑teaching training, and a TA empowerment program — as elements supporting continued inclusion.

Board members thanked the special education team and noted the division's work to expand inclusive opportunities and family supports. Dr. LaTanya McDade, superintendent, said restored county funding will allow compensation increases and planned student programs to proceed as adopted.

The presentation ended without a formal vote; board members asked follow‑up questions and thanked staff for the briefing. The special‑education team said it will continue reporting progress and expanding supports while also offering family workshops and individualized consultation services.