Minutes from Bromfield Focus Group March 7, 2007

Bromfield library

Attendees: Charles Horn, Director of Special Education

Five Bromfield parents

Carryover items from October 2006 focus group:

School notes:

The absence of online School Notes was discussed. The teachers manage School Notes, so Notes should be re-instituted once the teacher contract is finalized.

Small group sections for middle school subjects:

Small group sections, implemented this year, have been successful in some classes. Some students involved in these classes are on IEP’s while others are not. Some of these classes are co-taught by a teacher and a special educator; others have a learning assistant in the classroom. One teacher has chosen a different textbook for the small group section of her class, with great success. Continuing this model into ninth grade was discussed. The consensus was that there is enough evidence of success from the middle school program to advocate for continuing the model into ninth grade. Charles indicated that the department leaders ultimately would make the decision. Parents whose children have experienced success in the small-group classrooms expressed strong support for the continuation of this program. Charles recommended that parents who would like to see small-group classes continue advocate their position with the administration and the school committee.

Communications map:

Charles is working on a “communications map” which will give direction to parents who need to approach the school with issues related to their children.

Other items discussed:

Audit: Charles updated everyone on the proposal for a special education audit. The warrant article for the audit has been completed, but there is still a disagreement over who should sponsor the audit – the School Committee or the BOS. The Finance Committee does not support the School Committee as the sponsor. The Special Ed Task Force is working on an audit proposal, which will be presented at a future School Committee meeting.

Override: If the override passes, Charles reported that there would be an addition of one extra full-time position at HES and one at Bromfield. There would also be an addition of a half-time school adjustment counselor (making that a full-time position). The “second tier” of the override includes the addition of a part-time out-of-district coordinator.

A parent asked what the effect on special education would be if the override doesn’t pass. Charles indicated that special education will be “OK” – the new special education positions would not be added, but other services/programs would remain the same. The rest of the school budget, however, would have to make some drastic changes.

Questions:

1. A question was asked about the role of the adjustment counselor, a new part-time position this year. Charles explained that the adjustment counselor’s time is completely booked this year. The counselor’s responsibilities include providing counseling services for students on IEP’s and leading a social skills group after school. The counselor has also begun working with Bromfield’s speech/language pathologist to facilitate another social skills group. Making this position a full-time one will allow the counselor to provide more services to more students.

2. A question was raised about a second teacher for a ninth grade science class next year for students who need extra help in science (similar to a class that is presently offered.) Will this happen again next year? There is not a definite answer as yet.

3. Modifying tests and homework in subjects where students are struggling was discussed. Charles recommended that parents discuss specific modifications with the teacher(s). Modifications agreed by the child’s special education team are included in the child’s IEP or 504 plan. Charles indicated that 504 plan issues at Bromfield should be directed to Gary Fernandez in the guidance department.

4. A question was asked about beginning a foreign language in ninth grade. Many students with learning disabilities are advised not to take foreign languages in the middle school grades. Presently only Spanish 1 is offered in ninth grade for students who decide after middle school that they would like to try a foreign language. Students who want to take French are required to begin in middle school, as no French 1 class is currently offered to high school students. In response to a question about the 2-year foreign language requirement for college admission, Charles indicated that colleges are more accommodating now for students with learning challenges than they used to be.

News/announcements:

Charles told the group that he would be bringing a speaker to Harvard on April 11^th to give a presentation to teachers and parents on executive functioning. There will be a session during the day for teachers and another one in the evening for parents. More details will follow.