Diane Fairchild, SIATechKimberly Jones, Humanitas, Inc.March 1, 2012

Partnering with Charter School or Public School Partner to Improve Services for Students with Disabilities

Agenda

Resources and Benefits Schools Districts and Public Charters Can Offer

What Do Good Partnerships Look Like

Resources and benefits We Can Offer a School Partner

Questions to Think About When Entering a Relationship with a School

Questions 5

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• What are the needs of our students?• Where do we need the most support?• What would be on our needs wish list?• Have we asked the right questions when

developing a partnership with local districts or public charters?

Questions to Ask Ourselves

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How do we support students with complex learning needs?

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Common Applicant/Student Scenarios

• Female Age: 19• 1st Trade Choice –

HOT• No IEP available • Did not disclose• Lacks focus• Cannot remember problem solving steps• Difficulty mastering tasks

Student 2Applicant 1

• Female Age:17• 1st Trade Choice – Office Administration• Has Personality Disorder• Has difficulty remembering tasks over time• Poor memory – becomes frustrated very easily

Applicant 3

• Male Age: 23• 1st Trade Choice - Pharmacy Tech• Has AD/HD• IEP – Reading on a

3rd grade level, has Specific Learning Disability in Math

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• Accommodate students’ needs• Make sure plan is clearly explained

• Your expertise can be invaluable to others• Think outside of the box• Look to our disability website for resources• Regional Disability Coordinators for guidance

• Keep information flowing to student’s next instructor• Document all changes/modifications to

accommodations in accommodation plan • Document teaching/learning strategies

What are we doing….

Well developed accommodation

plans

Passing it on

Sharing good teaching practices

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So how do we ask schools for the resources we need?

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• Lead with the Positive!• Establish what you are hoping for from

partnership (clarify expectations)• Offer benefits:

– Our students = Graduation numbers • JC can offer the career training• Opportunity to get a credential

– Further each organization’s goals • Support remediation of reading and math • Earn credits for Job Corps programming

Negotiating Resources

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• Staff (para professionals, special education instructor, administrator (principal)

• Training for Staff• School equipment and supplies• Assistive Technology• Academic Software (remediation and

accommodation support)• Assessments/Evaluations• Online course for credit

What Can Schools Offer?Wish List!

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• Support in finding students disability documentation– Knowing who to contact (public school special education

directors or principals)– Relationships with other schools and districts

• Provide technical advise and expertise – initial discussion with applicant/student– Knowledge of IEPs (in some cases IEP development)– Knowledge of disabilities and possible accommodations– Assist in completing accommodation request for GED testing

The Reasonable Accommodation Committee (RAC) and Your School Partner

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The RAC and Your School Partner

Review IEPs

Provide Testing

Changes to Plan

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Areas covered in the Fred Acosta/SIATech Charter School MOU include:• Classroom space• Student referrals to the high school program• Clarify expectations for enrollment numbers• Charter acquisition• School mandates• Job Corps mandates• School equipment and supplies

Sample Memorandum of Understanding

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• SIATech Academic, Applied Academic and Computer Software Courses

• SIATech Principal as part of center senior management team

• Licensing agreements

• Training/instructional hours

• Confidentiality• Cancellation provisions• Indemnification• Insurance

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Sample Memorandum of Understanding

• 3 funded teachers and secretary(including 1 special education teacher)

• Testing students with learning disabilities

• Textbooks

• Staffing

• Education assessments

• School equipment

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What Good Partnership Looks Like

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Ouachita Job Corps and the Hot Springs School District

• Special services• Remediation• Offering school credit for

Job Corps courses

What Good Partnership Looks Like

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Fred Acosta Job Corps and SIATech Public Charter School

• Identify the center (students) needs and wants

• Communicate your expectations• Offer reciprocity benefits• Develop a MOU

What to Remember

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• Accommodation calls/process should led by DCs (center staff only); school partner may provide accommodation expertise

• School partner should not enter disability data or accommodation plans in CIS; the DCs should

• School partner should not access/maintain accommodation folders; the DCs should

What to Avoid

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• Boston Region – Lisa Kosh

lisa.kosh@humanitas.com • Atlanta and Philadelphia Regions – Nikki Jackson

nikki.jackson@humantias.com • Dallas Region – Laura Kuhn

laura.kuhn@humanitas.com• Chicago and San Francisco Regions – Kim Jones

kim.jones@humanitas.com

Regional Disability Coordinators

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THANK YOU!