Parents Express Concerns regarding Special Education Study

Below we have posted the public letter from concerned MDUSD parents regarding the implications of the MGT Independent Study of special education and section 504 for MDUSD students.

Special Ed. Study Recommends the Dismantling of Mt. Diablo School District’s Special Education/Student Services Department and for the Principals to be Responsible for the Program Management of Our Students with Special Needs and 504 Plans.

The Mt. Diablo School District hired MGT of America, a consultant firm, to perform a study of their Special Education Services/Programs. The report has been received and recommendations include the complete dismantling of the Special Education/Student Services Department. Instead, there would be:

• One Director
  
  
• Three Program Specialists to train site staff
  
  
• ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) to be handled by the district legal counsel
  
  
• Principals to take on the primary role of program management for their special education/504 students.

In addition to the increased responsibilities they have acquired due to staff reductions, Principals would now be responsible for special education/504 student services/programs.

• Can our Principals handle this extra responsibility?


• How much time will be taken away from the everyday management of their site due to this additional responsibility?


• Are our Principals knowledgeable in State/Federal laws regarding the district’s responsibility for serving our students with special needs?


• With only a director for special education under the Curriculum and Instruction department, who will provide necessary support/guidance to our Principals and staff?


• Will Principals be able to learn every aspect of every disability to be able to confidently place and serve every special ed./504 child placed at their site?


• Currently there are different programs at different sites. Will Principals know which students should be placed in which programs?


• Who will coordinate the related service providers i.e., speech/OT/PT/Nursing?


• When it is time for students with special needs to transition from preschool to elementary to middle to high school, how will the Principals know which sites to assign the transitioning students. Or will every site have full time staff to provide all the programs/services every student in their school will need? Who will coordinate?


• MGT is also recommending the elimination of the Mental Health Collaborative and placing these students in their home schools with a site clinician. The MH Collaborative is supported and paid, approximately 95%, by County Mental Health Services. If students are placed back at their home schools, County Mental Health will not provide services to these students due to their own budget restraints. Will the district hire therapists at each site to provide the services these students require? How will Principals deal with these students placed on their campuses? Whose safety will be compromised?

Why would the board of education implement these recommendations?

• Cost of the study was over $99,000. If the district does not implement the recommendations, will their constituents complain about the dollars spent?


• They do not understand what is cost effective vs. more costly.


• They would not have to admit their failure in not adequately using their resources in the district to determine reductions without compromising the integrity and compliance of the program.

• Did they request specific budget reductions from qualified staff in the
  district?
  Did they ask the CAC to assist them in developing specific
  recommendations?
  Have they factored in the “Cost of Reconstruction” after they butcher the foundation of the consent decree?
  Have they factored in long term costs onto the cuts for a “real value”?

Why should the board of education NOT implement MGT’s recommendations?

• MGT of America is a consulting firm based out of Florida who apparently does not understand California law or Mt. Diablo’s philosophy of providing required services to students with special needs.


• Implementing MGT’s philosophy would be jeopardizing the health and welfare of all students, special ed. and general ed. by placing students in improperly supervised programs.


• The recommendations are not appropriate for our district needs.


• Programs could potentially go out of compliance due to lack of program knowledge.


• Lack of support will lead to more litigation.


• Costs of mismanagement will “encroach” on the general ed. fund.


• Parents will not request ADR from the District’s legal counsel; therefore, parents will file directly to the State and legal costs will skyrocket.


• Most important, it is not good for kids - all of our kids!

It took 10 years with a Consent Decree for Mt. Diablo to build an infrastructure that is in compliance and working. If we follow MGT’s recommendations and restructure, it will definitely bring about noncompliance and millions in litigation costs.

We need to act responsibly. The board, district staff and parents need to work together to determine the most appropriate way to reduce costs without reducing compliance and jeopardizing the safety of all of our students.

To view the complete report, you can go to the Mt. Diablo School District’s website at http://www.mdusd.org/ and look under the Board of Education Agenda or the CAC blog at http://www.mtdiablosped.blogspot.com/. I am also attaching the report to this email. To receive emails all year long regarding special education events/activities in the Mt. Diablo School District, please register at mdusdcac@yahoo.com

Parents / Staff / Community Members

Attend the Board of Education meeting on
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 6:00pm to express your opinion.
Please do not count on others to attend and speak on your behalf.
Meeting with be held at Monte Gardens Elementary School (next to the District office) .

Send Emails to the District Superintendent and Board Members
Dr. Steven Lawrence , Superintendent: lawrences@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Paul Strange , Board President: paul@mdusd.net
Gary Eberhart, Board Vice President: gary@mdusd.net
Dick Allen Vice, Board Member: dickallen_dallen@yahoo.com
Linda Mayo, Board Member: mailto:mayolk@aol.com
Sherry Whitmarsh, Board Member: sherry@mdusd.net

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS. THANK YOU.

MGT Report Online!

The MGT of America report of their independent study of special education in the Mt. Diablo is available online. You can read the report HERE.

Last August, the MDUSD Board of Education contracted with a national consulting firm, MGT of America to conduct an independent study of special education and section 504 in the district. Read HERE why the BOE requested the study.

MGT consultants started their study in October. They met with board members, administrators , parents, teachers, special education assistants administrative and support staff and visited 35 school sites. On Tuesday, March 2nd they will present their report to the MDUSD Board of Education at a special baord meeting at 6pm. The next board meeting on Tuesday, March 9th, is the board's last opportunity for budget reductions, including significant reductions to special education.

The MDUSD Community Advisory Committee (CAC) on special education will be discussing the report at our meeting on Monday, March 1st. Please note that the meeting time has changed to 6pm. to allow time for a more in depth discussion. Please join us!

EARLY CAC MEETING

WHAT: MDUSD CAC
Meeting and discussion of MGT Independent
Study of MDUSD Special Education
and Section 504

WHEN: Monday, March 1

TIME: 6pm.

WHERE: District Office Board Room

VIEW: Agenda and MGT Report

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

WHAT: MDUSD Special Board Meeting to accept the MGT
Report

WHEN: Tuesday, March 2

TIME: 6pm.

WHERE: Monte Gardens Elementary

AGENDA: HERE

Special Meetings Notice

Click on the image to enlarge

Beyond the Basics

WHAT: Beyond the Basics - A workshop presented by Education Advocate Ann McDonald-Cacho on special education laws and processes, specifically focusing on developing advocacy skills and understanding procedural safeguards.

WHEN: Saturday, March 27, 2010

TIME: 9:00 a.m.–Coffee and sign-in , 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Workshop

WHERE: CARE Parent Network, 1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 115, Martinez, CA

REGISTER: Sheri Proctor, , 925-313-0999 x 106, sproctor@careparentnetwork.org.

You Make a Difference - Deadline Extended

The deadline to submit nominations for the You Make a Difference Award has been extended to March 9th.

What is the You Make a Difference Award?
The You Make a Difference Award is presented to persons or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the lives of special education students in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District .

Who should be nominated?
Parents (General Education, Special Education)
Students (General Education)
Teaching Staff (General Education, Special Education)
Support Staff (i.e. Office Managers, Assistants, Custodians)
Community (Individuals or Organizations)

What are the criteria?
Nominees should have demonstrated contributions above and beyond their role as a parent/student or their job description. A balance will be sought from all aspects of the student’s life, i.e., educators, bus drivers, custodians, employers and community organizations or individuals. High priority consideration will be given to, but not limited to, activities in the area of mainstreaming, integration, fostering parental involvement, job placement, career development and curriculum enhancement. Up to 20 awards will be given.

Where and When will the awards be presented?
The awards will be presented at a dessert social on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 7:00 pm at Mtn. View Elementary, 1705 Thornwood Drive Concord , CA 94521 .

Download the nomination form HERE.

Temple Grandin on HBO

Watch for this wonderful special staring Claire Danes as Temple Grandin in her early years.
Temple Grandin is autistic. Her writings about her struggles with autism,her fear, her anxiety, the overwhelming sensation of smell and sound,provide an intriguing glimpse into the world of autistic people.
Temple paints a picture of a young woman's perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism at a time when it was still quite unknown. The film chronicles Temple's early diagnosis;her turbulent growth and development during her school years; the enduring support she received from her mother (Julia Ormond), aunt and her science teacher; and her emergence as a woman with an innate sensitivity and understanding of animal behavior.
Temple Grandin doesn't see the world like most of us do. She does, she would say, see the world more like most animals: a place of fear without emotion where your thoughts come to you in pictures rather than in words.
Because of her autism, Dr. Grandin says she can understand how animals seethe world in a way that most humans cannot. She has written about her experiences with autism and her observations of animals in many books.
Temple Grandin is an Associate Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.



Upcoming show times:

2/19 9:30pm HBO Family East

2/20 12:30am HBO Family West

2/20 11am HBO Latino East

2/20 11am HBO East2/20 2pm HBO West

2/20 2pm HBO Latino West
For a complete schedule click HERE and search for Temple Grandin.

Helping Your Young Child with Autism Communicate and Interact

Kaiser Permanente ASD Regional Health Education Program is providing a 4-class series for parents of children from ages birth to 5 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

April 12, 20, 27, and May 4, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location:
Kaiser Permanente Pleasanton Department of Mental Health

3825 Hopyard Road, Suite 140
Pleasanton, CA 94588

Instructors: Lianne Zerbe, LCSW and Sylvia Castillo, LCSW

Who: Kaiser Permanente Members with a child from ages birth to 5 years with an ASD diagnosis

Fee: $50 per family pay at time of registration.

Call to register with Lianne Zerbe at (925) 847 - 5587

Topics Will Include:
- How Autism impacts your child's social-communication development
- Understanding why communication and interaction is so difficult and stressful for your child
- How you as a parent influence your child's communication
- How to help your child communication, interact, and play

Kaiser Permanente Health Education Announces Sexual Safety for Youth with Developmental Disabilities

I am attaching an announcement I received from Kaiser Permanente and Planned Parenthood on the upcoming sex education class for adolescents through age 18 years with developmental disabilities. If anyone is interested I thought that I would post it on the Blog for reference.

Kaiser Permanente Health Education Announces Sexual Safety for Youth with Developmental Disabilities

The Sexual Safety class is a workshop for girls and boys with developmental disabilities ages 12-18, and their parents. This workshop provides a safe setting to promote communication between parents and children about sexual subjects, to discuss appropriate and inappropriate touch, and practice skills for protection against unwanted advances. Visual aids, discussion, and activities will be used to reinforce the ideas of the workshop. Co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood and Kaiser Permanente.

Date: Saturday, Mar. 13; 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: Walnut Creek Medical Center
Fee: $20 for members and nonmembers

Registration: Please call Planned Parenthood at 1-925-887-5327 or bzacovic@ppshastadiablo.org.

To register: Please call Planned Parenthood
1-925-887-5327 or Email: bzacovic@ppshastadiablo.org.

Dine and Donate at Mary's Pizza Shack, Tuesday, March 23rd

The Legislative Committee of the CAC will meet with our California legislators in Sacramento on May 6th. We would like to give our legislators photo books of our special needs children. It is something tangible to remind them of whom they represent and the importance of educating all our students. Please support our Dine and Donate at Mary's Pizza Shack in Walnut Creek on Tuesday March 23rd to help us raise funds toward our photo books. You can:

- Dine in the restaurant
- Purchase a meal to go
- Purchase a Gift Card to gift or use at a later date

View Mary's MENU, including gluten free pizza options!
Download the Dine and Donate flyer HERE

Interview with Margot Tobias, Director of Student Services

Please describe your job and responsibilities..
I deal with all aspects of student support including health, attendance, safety, counseling, discipline, enrollment (including transfers), homeless, foster youth, care teams, Healthy Start, Home and Hospital, student data systems (Aeries and MIS) and Section 504



What inspired you to work in this profession?

I have always had a love for education and a passion to serve. In high school many, many years ago I was president of the Red Cross chapter and Social Cultural commissioner. I was very active in student government. I was also active in the community. I even got the senior award for "Did Most for the School." That has never changed through college and in my career. It is also why I served on the Acalanes School Board for 13 years. I also have a passion for learning and I believe that public education is the core to our way of life. It is or should be an opportunity for all students.

What is your professional goal?

My goal is to develop and nurture a system of support for all students so that we can remove barriers to learning. I want to see the academic and social emotional supports for students coordinated. It should be easy for students and their families to access what they need to be successful in school.

What do you like best about your job?

I once said that I did not want a 9-5 job that was the same everyday. I got what I asked for! Everyday is different and it keeps me on my toes! I get to be creative and at the same time, I can make a positive difference in people's lives. For me, that is the ultimate goal.

What do you like to do during your time off?

I am a Bear Backer and love going to Cal Football games. I am also a big fan of all things Disney. I have been going to Disneyland since the year it opened and try to get there 2-3 times each year. If you visit my office, you will find many Disney items. I love reading and spending time with my family.

If you could change anything about your job/services you provide, what would it be?

I would like everyone to understand the need for our services and for full, stable funding. I have developed an expertise around budget out of necessity. One day, I would like to see enough funding so that we can create a system that is based on need and not on funding streams.

Contact info:
Margot Tobias
Director, Student Services
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
(925) 682-8000 X4069

tobiasm@mdusd.k12.ca.us

Homework without Hassles

WHAT: Homework Without Hassles parent workshop, childcare provided

WHEN: Wednesday,February 17

TIME: 6:30pm

WHERE: Willow Creek Center

RSVP: 682-8000 ext. 6240

RDI Presentation in San Francisco

WHAT: Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Parenting Children with Special Needs : A presentation about finding daily opportunities to increase competence in your children and building trust through communication. Get practical ideas to help your children become more motivated to emotionally connect with others and to solve real life problems. Come and learn through video demonstrations and listen to parents share their RDI experiences.

PRESENTER: Maisie Soetantyo, RDI(R) Program Certified Consultant Comprehensive Autism Treatment for Children

WHEN: Saturday, February 20

TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom Street (@ 20th St) S.F.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Sign up early—space fills up fast! To attend a workshop, reserve childcare, and/or interpretation services, you must call in advance: (415) 920-5040.

Upcoming Communication Works Workshops

WHAT: Friendship: Social Language and Social Learning, presented by Eliabeth Sautter, Ma, CCC-SLP. Presentation on how and why social learning groups work. Common communication problems for kids with AD/HD.

WHEN: Thursday February 25

TIME: 7pm -9pm


WHERE: CHADD Support Group

COST: Free to CHADD members, $5 donation from non members.

RSVP: Carol Katz, 510-551-6914
_________________________________
WHAT: Emotional Regulation, presented by Leah Kuypers, MA, Ed OTR/L. A program to foster self-regulation for students who struggle with managing their emotions and sensory needs.

WHEN: Friday February 26

TIME: 12:30pm -2pm

WHERE: Ann Martin Center in Piedmont


COST: Free

RSVP: (510) 655-3999, ext. 333

_________________________
WHAT: The Zones of Regulation, presented by Leah Kuypers, M.A., OTR/L . The Zones for Regulation is a cognitive-behavior based strategy that helps students become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts. Practical ideas are provided that can easily be incorporated at home, school and in the community.

WHERE: Communication Works, Oakland


WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th


TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm


COST: Parents: $20, Professionals: $30


RSVP: rsvp@cwtherapy.com
__________________________

WHAT: Social Learning and Related Social Skills Part II, presented by Hillary Kissack, M.A., CCC-SLP and Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP. This workshop provides hands on tools and strategies to increase awareness and comfort in the area of social learning. Strategies for home and school will be discussed to support: Increased perspective taking Understanding the hidden rules and social expectations, Self monitoring and cognitive flexibility, Independence and self confidence Structure and routine.

WHERE: Communication Works, Oakland


WHEN: Tuesday, April 20th

TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm

COST: Parents: $20, Professionals: $30

RSVP: rsvp@cwtherapy.com
_________________________________


WHAT: Social Learning for Pre-Teen, Adolescents, and Adults, presented by Kristen Wilson, M.S., CCC-SLP and Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP


WHERE: ASD Support group at the Walnut Creek Barnes and Noble

WHEN: Monday, May 10

TIME: 7pm

COST: Free
________________________________

WHAT: When my Worries get Too Big, presented by Kari Dunn Buron, author of "The Incredible 5-Point Scale" and "When My Worries Get Too Big". This presentation will address specific issues related to the impact of social anxiety on students with social learning challenges. It will cover how anxiety and the lack of social skills can lead to challenging behaviors and difficulty building relationships. Teaching strategies and tools will be introduced and discussed.

WHERE: Communication Works, Oakland


WHEN: Thursday May 13


TIME: 6:30-8:30pm

COST: Parents: $20, Professionals: $30

RSVP: rsvp@cwtherapy.com

Internship for Adults with Disabilities

WHAT: Information Workshop for families on PROJECT SEARCH, one year internship program of adults with disabilities. The Program is a partnership between Oakland Adult Career and Education, the host business, and East Bay Innovations.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 24

TIME: 6:3opm - 8pm

WHERE: Pleasanton Unified School District Office, Bernal Room
COST: None

RSVP: Gina Gourley/Pleasanton USD @ 925-426-4293 or Lori Kotsonas/East Bay Innovations @ (510) 618-1580 x 15b

MGT Report to be Presented at Special Board Meeting

MGT of America will present their report on their independent study of MDUSD Special Education at a special Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 2nd.

The report will probably not be available to the public until Friday, February 26 after 5:00pm (the Friday before the board meeting). To view the MGT report when it becomes available, go to the district's website and look under the Board of Education Agenda for March 2, 2010. HERE is the link to BOE agendas.

The board's last opportunity to make budget reductions will be at following board meeting, on March 9 , which is only a week later. Please mark your calendars to attend the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 2 to express your opinion or support others who will be addressing the board.

Read the explanation of the BOE's request for the Independent Study HERE.

WHAT: Special Board Meeting with Special Education Study Report Presentation

WHEN: Tuesday, March 2nd

TIME: 6pm

WHERE: District Office Board Room

Get to Know Your District: Meet Melinda Hall

Melinda Hall is Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Mt. Diablo Unified. Caroline Stimson asked her about herself.

Please describe your job and responsibilities:
I have the responsibility of supervising and supporting seven administrators who assure that every student in the Mt. Diablo Unified School district has access to the very best curricular materials and is exposed to the best instructional practices to make the curriculum both rigorous and relevant. I am also ultimately responsible for the district’s adherence to the requirements of many federal and state funded programs that serve our special populations. Our department oversees the writing and implementation of all courses of study for secondary schools and we are currently reviewing those courses of study and making them consistent across the system. I also supervise three special education full inclusion specialists and one reading specialist who keep me very closely connected to the classroom and to our students. It is an exciting job that is never boring and requires continuous learning for me.

What inspired you to work in this profession?
During the years my children were growing up and we were moving around the United States, I began substitute teaching. It seemed that the positions that were rarely picked up were positions in special education classrooms. I chose one or two of these classroom opportunities and I was hooked. I immediately felt a need to teach, advocate for and support these incredible students.

What is your professional goal?
From the moment I was assigned to teach in my own classroom as a resource specialist in the portable classroom farthest from the main school buildings, I set my goal that I and the students I was responsible for deserved and would have access to everything the students in the regular education classrooms had. We have made progress but we still have a long way to go to experience an educational environment where every student is seen as a unique individual who deserves and commands the respect and high expectations from every adult who works with them.

What do you like best about your job?
I love the people I work with. The work is challenging as there are such limited resources for public education. However, I come to work everyday very grateful for the committed staff in my department and at our school sites. The students and the expectations they have of us as adults are always with me and they drive my continuing optimism that we will be able to do better.

If you could change anything about the services you provide, what would it be?
I would take down the walls between special education and the rest of the district both figuratively and literally. If we at the district office do not model what we expect of others to do then we are not effective leaders. Both the human and fiscal resources would better serve our students and staff if this change took place.

CLE Open House

Click on the image to enlarge.

Day of Discovery at Monterey Bay Aquarium

WHAT: Kids 8-14 years of age with special needs will suit up in full, real dive gear that will include a Dry Suit, Gloves, Booties, Hood, Mask, BCD, Small Air Tank and Dive Regulator. (We even have a special gear for kids who can’t hold a regulator in their mouth). Each child will be working with two trained, certified volunteer divers from the aquarium. They will learn the basics of the sport of SCUBA diving and then enjoy a “Surface Dive” open water experience in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Great Tide Pool”.

WHO: The child with the special needs can bring their immediate family along to watch them dive and to enjoy a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Profile of “Dive Kids”: 8-14 years of age. All disabilities are welcome. Should not be afraid of the water. They don’t even have to know how to swim.

WHERE: The Monterey Bay Aquarium

WHEN: June 18th, July 7th and July 28th

COST: FREE. We welcome donations and we are a 100% non-profit organization. All donations go into this wonderful event. There is no cost to the kids and their immediate families.

CONTACT: Marv Tuttle, Day of Discovery Director and Volunteer for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. mtpoppy@sbcglobal.net

Autism and Asperger's Passion Celebration Day

Get to Know Your District: Meet Principal Gary McAdam

Gary McAdam is Principal of Concord High School in Mt. Diablo Unified School District. He kindly took the time to tell us about himself and his work.

Briefly describe to us your job and responsibilities as a Principal of Concord High School: My core responsibility is to provide leadership for Concord High, ensuring that teachers, coaches, and staff have the necessary equipment, training, and shared approach to serve our students. My day to day responsibilities include: organizing extra-curricular programs, ensuring the maintenance of a safe environment for teaching and learning, ensuring that our educational offerings and measurements of success are consistent with district and state standards, and supervising and evaluating the work of teachers, staff, and coaches.

What inspired you to enter into this profession? I was inspired to enter this profession because of my belief that strong leadership and teamwork can create an environment safe for and conducive to learning. Every student deserves this and it is what I work to provide.

What is your professional goal? My goal this year is to implement, with Concord High’s teachers, coaches, and staff, the concept of Professional Learning Communities. With this approach, teachers work together to develop innovative and shared methods of assessment to see if our students are learning what they need to. Through this collaboration, the high school community learns more about various ways to present information to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to learn in a format that makes sense for them and to be engaged in classrooms every day.

What do you like best about your job? The best part of my job is the teamwork among administration, teachers, coaches, staff, and students that can make learning and the high school experience so fun and defining.

If you could change anything about your job/services you provide, what would it be? I wish that as a high school principal I had the power to ensure that our school and schools throughout California are properly funded by the state. Unfortunately, because this is not the case, my goal is to use the resources we have to maximize opportunities for our students at Concord High.

Dine and Donate

• MDUSD Music Foundation Dine and Donate on Wednesday, February 3rd at a variety of locations. Click HERE to find the flyer for your location.
  

• MDUSD Autism Task Force Dine and Donate on Thursday, February 4th and Friday February 5th between 11am and 9pm at the Concord Fresh Choice. Click HERE for the flyer.