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Student-services director outlines special-education review and small in-district cohort to reduce out-of-district placements
Summary
The district is launching a comprehensive special-education program review with on-site visits in mid-January and is proposing a small K–2 in-district cohort (3–5 students) using ABA principles to better serve severe-needs students and reduce expensive out-of-district tuition.
Anne Marie, speaking for student services, told the committee the district is implementing DESE's new IEP format and has contracted a third-party reviewer (an Anne Donovan from a regional collaborative) to conduct a comprehensive program evaluation with on-site observations and staff focus groups in mid-January.
"The new IEP also seeks to strengthen transition planning to better prepare our kids for life after high school," Anne Marie said, and described plans to provide 26 randomly selected IEP records and conduct two full-day site visits (target dates referenced in the meeting). She said the program review will culminate in a report she hopes to receive before March 20, if possible, so findings can inform budget planning.
Anne Marie outlined a proposed small cohort model to serve K–2 students with significant needs using ABA-based instructional approaches, intensive individualized instruction and paraprofessional support; she noted the district currently has a notable number of 1:1 assignments in early grades and that sending even a few students out of district can carry six-figure annual tuition costs. The district is trialing a behavior-analysis software (ACE) for 30 days with a targeted group of teachers and is pursuing local site visits to established programs to shape their model.
Committee members raised questions about whether out-of-district students could return if an in-district program is created; Anne Marie said some could, but she cautioned that repatriation would take time and careful profiling. The committee expressed support for pursuing a program that keeps more students in Rockport when appropriate.
