MCPS SPED shake-up

[Anonymous]

I've heard from a lot of mumblings that there would be big changes coming to sped on July 1st. Has anyone heard anything or have any details?

My child is in the elementary ED program, so especially interested in anything concerning that program.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Can you share your mumblings? I can put out feelers but this is too vague to ask questions about.

[Anonymous]

Can you give us more information regarding changes?

[Anonymous]

The changes can’t be but so big since 7/1 has come and gone, but I (teacher) didn’t receive an email or hear about any big tumult from friends or colleagues.

[Anonymous]

They reorganized and got rid of most of the cluster supervisors. Who were important in helping school teams ensure they are fulfilling legal requirements, getting support like 1:1 staffing that school teams can not authorize on their own, facilitating transfers between programs, referring cases to CIEP, etc. I’m concerned there is going to be chaos as a result and that it means the higher-ups who did the reorganization don’t understand who is bloat and who is useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They reorganized and got rid of most of the cluster supervisors. Who were important in helping school teams ensure they are fulfilling legal requirements, getting support like 1:1 staffing that school teams can not authorize on their own, facilitating transfers between programs, referring cases to CIEP, etc. I’m concerned there is going to be chaos as a result and that it means the higher-ups who did the reorganization don’t understand who is bloat and who is useful.

This is not Surprising. The system is overloaded. 50% of all students identified as gifted. Really? Fighting between SpEd, ESOL, GT advocates. A national government with no incentive to bolster public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They reorganized and got rid of most of the cluster supervisors. Who were important in helping school teams ensure they are fulfilling legal requirements, getting support like 1:1 staffing that school teams can not authorize on their own, facilitating transfers between programs, referring cases to CIEP, etc. I’m concerned there is going to be chaos as a result and that it means the higher-ups who did the reorganization don’t understand who is bloat and who is useful.

This happened last year

[Anonymous]

There are definitely new changes this year and I am interested to see what they are. I fear that they are just cuts that will leave even less oversight over these programs.. With fewer people to help the programs I can’t imagine them getting better, but maybe they are moving more people into the schools??

At the Westbrook PTA meeting (SESS program/formerly ED), the principal stated that we were getting increased behavioral support. We used to have 1 not very strong person split between many schools but a new person will be only shared at 1 other school.

I really hope as the program is already so poor and can use all the help it can get!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They reorganized and got rid of most of the cluster supervisors. Who were important in helping school teams ensure they are fulfilling legal requirements, getting support like 1:1 staffing that school teams can not authorize on their own, facilitating transfers between programs, referring cases to CIEP, etc. I’m concerned there is going to be chaos as a result and that it means the higher-ups who did the reorganization don’t understand who is bloat and who is useful.

This happened last year

But it didn’t go into full effect yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They reorganized and got rid of most of the cluster supervisors. Who were important in helping school teams ensure they are fulfilling legal requirements, getting support like 1:1 staffing that school teams can not authorize on their own, facilitating transfers between programs, referring cases to CIEP, etc. I’m concerned there is going to be chaos as a result and that it means the higher-ups who did the reorganization don’t understand who is bloat and who is useful.

This is not Surprising. The system is overloaded. 50% of all students identified as gifted. Really? Fighting between SpEd, ESOL, GT advocates. A national government with no incentive to bolster public schools.

Doesn't matter how many are labeled gifted when the label does not affect what goes on in the classrooms.