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Special-education task force urges rapid behavior supports and expanded professional learning
Summary
A special-education task force presented recommendations—including rapid behavior-intervention deployment, targeted training for general- and special-education staff, and an evaluation of staffing and budget impacts—during the Instruction Committee's June 8 meeting.
Kylan Coffman, assistant director of student special instructional services, presented the findings and recommendations of a task force convened to analyze special-education services and supports. The task force of more than 30 teachers, administrators and staff reviewed five data sets and organized recommendations into six categories, emphasizing quick, resource-light changes alongside longer-term investments.
Coffman said the team “anchored their work in the three legal pillars of the IDEA: procedural, substantive, and our implementation obligations,” and described immediate priorities: more rapid deployment of behavior interventions through an optimized behavior team, evidence-based training for general- and special-education teachers and paraprofessionals, and clearer supervisory roles so specialists can focus on classroom instruction. She said the office plans to procure high-quality instructional materials for functional skills and provide training in their use.
Board members praised the work and pressed for a clear budget and staffing mapping. Mr. North and others asked the division to bring a cost and personnel analysis to the next budget retreat so the board can prioritize which recommendations to fund locally and which may require state support. Coffman warned that several recommendations will carry significant budget implications, for example expanded pre-K or additional behavioral staff, and staff will need to evaluate feasibility and sequencing across budget cycles.
Committee members emphasized recruitment and retention as critical and suggested pairing general-education teachers with special-education colleagues for joint professional learning. Coffman said supervisors are now spread across duties and that the office plans to refine deployment so instructional coaches can give rapid, classroom-focused support.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the recommendations but asked staff to return with staffing, cost estimates and implementation timelines.
