statistics, legal mandates, and funding issues pottstown school district special education 2008-2009
TRANSCRIPT
STATISTICS, LEGAL MANDATES,
AND FUNDING ISSUES
Pottstown School DistrictSpecial Education
2008-2009
Findings of 2007 Study – from Report of February 2009
Between 2002 and 2007, special education
enrollment [in Pennsylvania] has
increased by more than 25,000 students.
Findings of 2007 Study – from Report of February 2009
Providing a basic quality education for special education students costs, on average, 2.3 times as much as educating students without special needs.
391 PA districts have inadequate funding for special education - $1 million shortfall per year per district (about $2,000 per student.)
Underfunding special education impacts the education of all students and the wider community.
Overview
Special Education Report (State Plan)Compliance MonitoringPottstown statistics and trendsReasons for additional staffingReasons that special education costs
moreRecommendations
Special Education Report for PDE
Current program strengths and highlightsIdentification of students with LDExiting statisticsEnsuring maximum integrationSupplementary aids and servicesProficiency in reading and mathBehavior support servicesTraining and personnel developmentProgram profile
Cyclical Compliance Monitoring/Facilitated Self-Assessment: 23 Topic
Areas
1. Assistive Technology
2. Positive Behavior Support
3. Childfind
4. Confidentiality
5. Dispute Resolution
6. Graduation rates
7. Drop-out Rates
8. Suspensions & Expulsions
Cyclical Compliance Monitoring:Facilitated Self-Assessment - continued
9. Facilities report
10. Independent Educational Evaluations
11. Least Restrictive Environment
12. Extended school year
13. Related services
14. Caseload & age range
15. Parent training
16. Participation in PSSA & PASA
Cyclical Compliance Monitoring:Facilitated Self-Assessment - continued
17. Public school enrollment
18. Surrogate parent system
19. Personnel training
20. Intensive interagency (Cordero cases)
21. Summary of Academic Achievement &
Functional Performance
22. Disproportionate representation
23. Student record reviews
Trends: Students & Staffing
K-12 District Totals
1996-97 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Students 314 443 487 507
Teachers 26 40 47 49
Assistants
24 72 78 79
Related Services
3 10 13 13
Current Special Education Numbers
Reasons for additional staffing
MORE PROGRAMSLife Skills Student: IU class$32,000 tuition + related services +
transportation = @ $60,000Life Skills Student: In-district =
$ 15,41235 students = savings of $1,560,580
Reasons for additional staffing
MORE PROGRAMSAutism Support Student: IU class$40,000 tuition + related services +
transportation = @ $72,000Autism Support Student: In-district
= $ 25,305
15 students = savings of $700,425
Reasons for additional staffing
MORE STUDENTS
Early InterventionStudents moving into PottstownStudents being returned to District placements
Reasons for additional staffing
MORE NEEDS
Significant disabilitiesBehavioral & emotional supportInclusionCase management and LEA representation
Reasons that special education costs more
TimeEquipment & technologyPersonnelPlacements outside the districtTrainingMental health issuesInclusionary programmingMeeting federal & state regulatory requirementsPotential for litigation and due process
From Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Excerpt from PSBA Bulletin, Feb.2009
Special Legal Liability Note: Each child with a disability, as defined in the IDEA, is entitled to a free appropriate public education. If the school district fails or refuses to provide FAPE to any student so entitled, there will be legal liability, leading to such things as compensatory education, litigation costs, the administrative burdens of litigation and attorneys’ fees and court costs. These costs can be expensive, easily exceeding $100,000. Legal liability insurance does not cover all of the costs or even a substantial portion of the costs. The best way of avoiding legal liability and the costs of litigation is to ensure that all students are provided with FAPE and that the school district has the tools available to prove that FAPE is being offered.
Special Education Costs per Student
Base cost for student without special needs: $8,000
Factoring in other considerations, costing out estimate per pupil: $11,469 (additional for special education)
Pottstown spends less than most other districts in Montgomery county, when comparing these additional costs $12,933 (Range = $10,000-19,000)
From Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Reductions in Special Education Costs
in Pottstown
New programsIncreased capacity for behavior/emotional support
InclusionDecreased evaluations and identifications
Exiting students from special education
Impact of RTI on rate of identification
2006-07 105 students found eligible2007-08 107 students found eligible
2008-09 73 students found eligible
34 X $13,000 = $442,000.00
Resources make a difference
Half of all special education students in the wealthiest districts meet standards in
reading and math, while only ¼ of these students meet
standards in the poorest districts.
From Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Recommended StrategiesFrom Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Teacher preparation – All teachers should be prepared to meet needs of diverse learners.
Recommended StrategiesFrom Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Additional staff to support inclusion, communication, specialized service delivery,
and post-secondary transition.
Recommended StrategiesFrom Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Additional teachers – regular and special education – to reduce class sizes.
Recommended StrategiesFrom Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
On-site training capacity – use of instructional coaches and disability-specific experts.
Recommended StrategiesFrom Costing-Out Study/Report 2009
Increase availability in school buildings of administrators with expertise in special education law.
Goals of Funding & Budgeting
Allow for delivery of what the law requires
Improve early intervening programmingEffective instruction for students to
move out of special educationReduce drop-out ratesReduce staff turn-overReduce long-term costs
Sources of Information
Special Education Report (State Plan) Sept. 2008
Compliance Monitoring/FSA, March 2009Costing-Out Resources Report, February
2009PSBA Bulletin, February 2009MCIU Cost Plan 2008-2009Penn Data Report, December
2006/2007/2008
Conclusion
District is required to fund special education to ensure FAPE and meet legally mandated requirements.
Upfront spending and investment in special education, in order to provide an appropriate and adequate education, results in outcomes that benefit the entire District and community – in many important ways, including financial.
Thank you!