Staffing Resources

• Assessment Teams provide support through reduction in testing time of special education teachers providing increased instructional time with students.
• In locations where an Assessment Team was not assigned, additional resources were placed to help support the assessment needs.
• The work hours and number of days para-educators were on duty was increased to provide time for collaboration with teachers to improve student instruction.

Curriculum / Professional Development

• Special Education Teachers were provided additional curriculum materials to support students. The Read 180 program for elementary and middle school students was purchased through the Special Education Initiative to support inclusive practices in the general education environment.
• Staff Development was conducted in August 2003 for the major complexes, to include training in procedures and best practices.
• Professional development was provided for special educators serving the moderate/severe student population
• Staff development was provided in the use of assistive technology. Parents and community members were invited to participate.

Facilities / Equipment

• There was an increase in technology to support students in the general education classroom. In addition to the money provided in the fall of 2002 for assistive technology, additional software and equipment has been purchased by the district to enhance the learning environment for students with disabilities.
• Each school was provided with Kurzweil 3000 Read/Scan software to support student access to the gene real education curriculum. Training, which included parents and community members, was provided at the district and school levels.
• The Mediterranean District Lending Library was enhanced with additional materials.This provides the teachers with the opportunity to borrow assistive devices/software, videotapes, and professional books to support students learning in the classroom.
• Surveys of current furniture and materials in special education classrooms were conducted to determine the needs in each school.