tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post3582877299059081747..comments2023-08-24T05:24:51.011-04:00Comments on PURE Reform: Special ed and inclusionQuestionerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-3244122062700183772009-10-23T11:07:59.788-04:002009-10-23T11:07:59.788-04:00I apologize for the delay but I spoke with a numbe...I apologize for the delay but I spoke with a number of people so that I could provide accurate information. <br /><br />This information was given to me by PPS. Regarding PSSA and PASA and students with exceptionalities and how they are counted in sub groups.<br /><br />If a student has an IEP, they are counted in the students with IEP subgroup.<br /><br /> There is a very small percentage of students with disabilities in Pennsylvania that take an alternate test called the PASA. These students usually have significant disabilities. Their performance counts just as much as the performance of a student with an IEP that is assessed by the regular assessment (PSSA). No more, no less and their performance is included in the IEP subgroup analysis. <br /><br />Students who attend Approved Private Schools PSSA/PASA scores are reported to the PPS district office.<br /><br />Students who attend Pioneer and Conroy PASA scores are reported to their (neighborhood) home school building special education sub group. If the Conroy or Pioneer schools did not have enough students assessed who responded to a sufficient number of items then they would not meet the threshold for public reporting (minimum of 40 students with valid assessment scores).Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-42367757790428574612009-10-04T10:50:25.459-04:002009-10-04T10:50:25.459-04:00I have a question about differentiated instruction...I have a question about differentiated instruction and inclusion. I suspect somebody is getting the shaft, is it the teacher or the special education student in an inclusive classroom? If the teacher does not have the needed assistance to give attention to the student requiring extra help it seems that both teacher and student are being treated unfairly.parentonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-14234938198670925082009-10-03T19:25:46.942-04:002009-10-03T19:25:46.942-04:00Years ago, 15 perhaps, PPS was known as a GREAT pl...Years ago, 15 perhaps, PPS was known as a GREAT place for kids who had special needs. That goes to the quote above about being a 'model.'<br /><br />So true.<br /><br />I knew a number of families that MOVED into the city because a child needed special attention / care / educational plans. The children got the service / education in the city that would NEVER come in suburban Pittsburgh districts (by and large).<br /><br />Our special education programs were not only top flight -- but they got people to move into the city. <br /><br />Now, I think, the opposite is the case. <br /><br />PPS isn't getting any bigger.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-17100300782143016172009-10-02T14:20:01.484-04:002009-10-02T14:20:01.484-04:00To: Questioner
Good afternoon. I wanted to get th...To: Questioner <br />Good afternoon. I wanted to get the true/facts to your questions. Some students with disabilities take an alternate assessment called the PASA and most take the PSSA'a so, I am going to ask an assessment expert from the PDE and get back to you.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-52978081276329998822009-10-02T10:42:05.085-04:002009-10-02T10:42:05.085-04:00It seems that a child with an IEP is counted as pa...It seems that a child with an IEP is counted as part of the special education subgroup regardless of inclusion.<br /><br />The situation seems to be though that many schools are having trouble making AYP for their special education subgroup. According to some observers, lack of or changes in the extent of inclusion seems to be resulting in less progress for this subgroup.Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-74075336758768706712009-10-02T10:36:28.706-04:002009-10-02T10:36:28.706-04:00I am not sure I understand completely. I will rea...I am not sure I understand completely. I will read the PG article and the post and commnents again. Doesn't a child get counted for purposes of PSSA subgroup if they have an Individual Education Plan regardless of inclusion or pullout? If an IEP is what determines "counted in a subgroup" any district including more kids in a general education classroom is ok, right? If that is what the parent and student agree to. UNLESS, the district does not provide the needed supports. Then that is not right.deegazettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-53870048576945071822009-10-01T15:41:01.354-04:002009-10-01T15:41:01.354-04:00Hello Questioner.
The board voted toward the end o...Hello Questioner.<br />The board voted toward the end of last school year 2008/09. (*A couple of us from the Local Task Force testified to the Board with our concerns.) Let me clarify a little. PPS eliminated the inclusion specialist’s duties and shifted all the responsibility to the third person. But remember, there are approximately 6000 + special ed students in PPS and this one person covers ALL 62 buildings. <br /><br /> *For those who are interested, there are 29 Local Task Forces across Pennsylvania that are paired up with the 29 Intermediate Units and they have been in existence for 32 years. The Pittsburgh LTF IU2 meets once a month on the 4th Tuesday of every month. It is a group that needs to be made up of 51% parents and 49% professionals. Pittsburgh is one of the most active in the state. It was this LTF who questioned the administration on what will happen to the 900 + special ed students in the 20 school buildings that were closing. Typically you would think everyone would move together however, we discovered that the special education students did not move with their schools/friends many ended up in basement classrooms in different buildings.Stephanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49258804305307213.post-22698014775776446232009-10-01T14:51:50.722-04:002009-10-01T14:51:50.722-04:00Thanks, Stephanie.
About when did the vote take...Thanks, Stephanie. <br /><br />About when did the vote take place to eliminate inclusion specialist positions? Even for conscientious observers of the District, so much can slip by. Were these specialists' responsibilities assigned to someone else?Questionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04349071186140766778noreply@blogger.com