Special Education

Derby Public Schools

            Derby, Connecticut 06418

Pre K-Elementary Supervisor: Stacey McCoart

Secondary Supervisor: Brigitta Abakumova

Update to Board of Education - February 4, 2025

Our Shared Focus and Priorities:

• Supporting and growing teacher practice
• Collaboration with and support of families
• Continuing educational opportunities for inclusion and individualized growth
• Develop and grow Special Education programs within the district

Current Happenings

Academics

• Data collection for February IEP progress monitoring
• Administering the ABLLS-R assessment for students in the Comprehensive Learning Centers
• Conducting evaluations and programming for children transitioning from Birth to Three
• Implementation of the Second Step Bullying Curriculum
• Implementation and continuation of Lexia CORE 5 and Power Up Programs
• Usage update for Supporting Everyday Speech and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum - currently 21 users
• Monitor usage Goalbook to support IEP development and progress monitoring
• Conducting initial assessments and re-evaluations to determine eligibility
• Planning and Delivering Scientific Research Based Interventions
• Evaluating caseloads for Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers
• Attending Academic Student Support Teams (ASST) meetings
• Fostering and exploring inclusive practices through co-teaching and push in models of instruction and service delivery                
• Transition assessments and curriculum provided through Life Centered Education (LCE), Brigance, Transition Planning Inventory

Human Capital

• Coordinating staffing and support for all special education programming
• Held Co-teaching planning meeting (Bradley)
• Onboarding new two new Paraeducators (Irving)
• Scheduled and held PMT initial and refresher course (1/30/25)
• Working with Learning Center Paraeducator on obtaining RBT certification
• Onboarded two new Paraeducators (Irving)
• Conducting formal and mini observations of staff
• Onboarding new special education teacher (DMS 8th grade)

• Ongoing Special Education Department Meetings for all schools
• Working with 092 intern at DHS
• Supporting special education student teacher through process of IEP creation

Operations

• Attended Birth to Three Transition Road Show (1/13/25)
• Ongoing weekly check in meeting with BHCare for School Based Services
• Created Purchase order for COMPASS training from the ARPA Paraeducator Professional Development Grant  
• Troubleshooting CTSEDS IEP and 504 programming
• Bi-Weekly finance meetings
• Reviewing Medicaid Quarterly Snapshot for approval
• Approving contracts and Purchase orders
• Case management of Out of District contracts and services
• Ordering of supplies and resources for teachers/staff
• Connecting DDS eligible students with DDS, coordinating application process
• Provided transition assessments and curriculum to DMS and DHS staff to support student goal and skill development
• CAS coaching sessions focusing on professional growth goals
• Attended ConnCASE meeting with presenter on mental health and anxiety
• Attended ConnCASE membership meeting
• Chaperoned field trip to Lincoln Tech where students gained exposure to five trade areas

Culture/Climate

• Start Autism Walk Planning
• Site Collaboration visit for LRU to Learning centers
• Provide positive feedback to all staff
• Team meetings with department and new staff/team building
• Coaching and support of new staff in support of students with disabilities

RAISE Academy

24-25 Focus and Priorities:

● Establishing and Implementing program expectations

 ● Prioritize SEL support through twice weekly Everyday Speech group counseling lessons

New/Current Happenings

Academics

Academic Skills:

IEP Goals and Objectives

RAISE Civics:

Understanding the legislative branch of the federal government

RAISE Chemistry:

Building a basic knowledge of the periodic table focusing on common elements

RAISE Anatomy:

Developing a slideshow presentation to present to peers about general information concerning various genetic diseases

RAISE Geometry:

Understanding the difference between adjacent, vertical, complementary, and supplementary angles and identifying angle pairs

RAISE Skills Transition:

Identifying preferred careers, salary, education level required, personal traits required for success, and relevant knowledge needed and comparing that information to their current future life goals and preferences in order to set up a plan to achieve life goals.

RAISE English:

Writing an essay based on the theme of the book “Orbiting Jupiter” and comparing the plot and theme to “The Blind Side”

Human Capital

● 10 students currently enrolled

• 1 special education teacher, 1 RBT

Operations

● co-teaching model for academic instruction

● Push in SEL sessions during advisory with school social workers, twice weekly Everyday Speech

Culture/Climate

Strong focus and improvements in participation, academic stamina, and positive classroom behavioral habits to develop the skill set necessary to transition into the general education setting