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1/Just wrapped up a call w/ district leaders facilitated by Pete Gorman & @Juliarafalbaer Topic was supporting students with special needs through the crisis. I’m going to need some grace from you all on this because it is not an area of expertise for me personally.
1/Just wrapped up a call w/ district leaders facilitated by Pete Gorman & @Juliarafalbaer Topic was supporting students with special needs through the crisis. I’m going to need some grace from you all on this because it is not an area of expertise for me personally.
2/In certain ways story is same as it is for all students: systems that were ahead of curve on digital learning are ahead of curve on supporting students IEPs. One district had platform able to capture virtual signatures for both consent to hold virtual IEP mtg & change IEPs.
3/Teachers had to be taught the virtual signature function though because they’d never had to use it. Coaching up teachers to use new technology a running theme.
4/In addition to supporting tech needs, building strong protocols for teachers & case managers essential. How’s instruction getting scheduled? One Chief emphasized thoughtful scheduling so multiple therapies don’t get bunched on single day. Virtual PLCs to support IEP review.
5/Struck by how granular the challenges & solutions are. Hearing impaired students w/out parents who sign are getting Facebook stories w/ signing interpreters every day. One Chief emphasized engaging parents in goal setting. Reinforce that parents critical partners.
6/Several districts have continued IEP meetings unabated while giving parents the option to delay until face to face. Several are requiring SPED teachers to join general online classes just as they would typically be in a classroom w/ students they’re supporting.
7/Strong emphasis on need for videos that demonstrate PT & OT techniques that parents can learn & use — ideally made by people they trust. They could be low tech. iPhone videos fine. Point is something they can watch & practice.
8/For some services it’s “teletherapy or bust” so we have to get it right. Some districts renegotiating vendor contracts for as much therapy as they can provide now + compensatory services later.
9/Strong sense that — as with many aspects of COVID19 response — centralized protocols help everyone. But this MUST be combined with excellent external communications. Not just good messaging, a real communications plan & apparatus.
10/Comms will be essential to legal challenges too. Lawsuits have already begun. One Chief engaged the Special Needs advocacy community early & often in developing plan & protocols. That seems to be paying off in reduced tensions about the approach.
11/Lastly, how is data privacy going to work when everyone’s grabbing & using whatever they can? State departments can play a critical curation role here. One state Chief said that when it comes to privacy, “We are concerned that some districts may be out over their skis.”
