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Board hears program evaluations: special education, early childhood, parents-as-teachers and homeless services
Summary
District staff reported on program evaluations: special education serves ~663 students on a $7.9 million budget with an 83.3% graduation rate for students with IEPs; early childhood operates a 50/50 integrated model on a $2.1 million budget; Parents as Teachers and homeless services both reported growth and expanded supports.
The Cape Girardeau Board of Education reviewed multiple program evaluations on May 4 that covered special education, early childhood, the Parents as Teachers home‑visitation program and homeless‑student services.
On special education, Miss Keys reported the district served 663 students (preK–12) with a total program budget of $7.9 million. "We have many specialized therapies available in our district — speech services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hearing and vision services, board‑certified behavior analysts," she said, noting the district was 100% compliant in a recent desk review. She also said MAP scores for students with IEPs remain below the state average but are improving in grades 3–5, and that the district’s graduation rate for students with IEPs was 83.3%, slightly above the state average.
The early childhood program operates a 50/50 integrated model (half the class with IEPs, half without) and reported a $2.1 million budget split among local, state and federal dollars. The speaker said the district recently adopted an approved curriculum (Every Child Ready) and highlighted strong transition success from early intervention programs to kindergarten, while noting capacity constraints prevent expansion to full‑day preschool without additional space or funding.
Parents as Teachers reported correcting a visits figure to 105 children served so far (up from an earlier count), 425 screenings performed this year (with that number expected to rise), and a program budget of $99,365. The program said it is seeking to reach 700 visits next year and to screen 90% of target children. The lead parent educator (Stephanie Ellinger) recently was appointed as a Missouri parent educator program support consultant for the state DESI office, the district said.
On homeless services, staff reported 265 students were identified as homeless at some point during the year. The speaker said that improved identification and reduced stigma likely account for part of the increase and described wraparound supports (Care to Learn, transportation, hygiene and food support, local church and agency partnerships). The district noted Title funding for the program is limited (the transcript references $400) and that most direct supports come from community partners.
Board members asked clarifying questions about screening outreach, funding sources and how program success is measured; staff said they will continue to pursue grants and partnerships and will bring further metrics as programs evolve.
