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District special education director reports 12.9% of students receive services; new transition programs launched
Summary
Director Dawn Mawhinney told the board 12.9% of Novato Unified students receive special education services and described two new programs: an 18–22 transitional program at the Hill Center and a TK–5 class at Lou Sutton. She outlined family engagement steps and interventions to address potential overidentification of African American students.
Novato Unified—s director of special education, Dawn Mawhinney, presented the district—s annual special education report and told trustees that 12.9% of the district—s student population receives some form of special education services.
Mawhinney outlined service counts and new programs: 67 students in early intervention, 51 placed in non-public schools, 30 students in post-secondary transition programs (18–22), 175 students in special day classes and 31 NUSD students served in Marin County Office of Education programs. She highlighted two new local programs: an 18–22 moderate transition program at the Hill Center, featuring a kitchen and internships, and a 3–5 (mild-to-moderate) class at Lou Sutton with newly added teaching staff.
Mawhinney said the district is aware of concerns over apparent overidentification for other health impairment and autism among African American students; the district will address the issue within continuous improvement and assessment practices and said a monitoring plan adopted three years ago will be updated. She described family engagement efforts—new-family nights, a quarterly district special education advisory committee, newsletters and bilingual communications—and said the district is piloting math instructional materials (TouchMath in K–5 and Math180 in grades 6–12). "We go through the assessments. The assessments are appropriate," she said, describing the district—s iterative review process.
Trustees asked for regular updates as pilots and improvement plans move forward.
