specedAUSD

Mike McMahon AUSD

Special Education Review

Alameda Unified School District

August, 2008

The type and funding of public education is primarily determined by each state. However, in the mid-70s Federal courts deemed education was a civil right regardless of ability. As a result, Public Law 94-142 was passed that established Free and Appropriate Education in the least restrictive environment. The law established a process for Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as well as parental rights.

Ever since its initial enactment, the federal law has included a commitment to pay 40 percent of the average per student cost for every special education student. The 2004 average per student cost was $7,552 and the average cost per special education student was an additional $9,369 per student, or $16,921. Yet the federal government was providing local school districts with just under 20 percent of its commitment rather than the 40 percent specified by the law, creating a $10.6 billion shortfall for states and local school districts.

This shortfall creates a burden on local communities and denies full opportunity to all students -- with and without disabilities.

In 2005, newly appointed Superintendent Dailey authorized an examination of Special Education operations in Alameda by Financial Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) and that report was presented in October, 2006. Special Education director presented a response in Janaury, 2007 with a request for restructuring in February, 2007. In January, 2008 the Board received a progress report on the implementation of the changes to the Special Eduation department. While the implementation of these changes have resulted in lower litigation costs, the overall cost of Special Education continues to raise. The primary cause for increased costs include delivering more services and increased transportation costs.

October, 2006

In February, 2006, Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) completed the review of the Special Education Department. At the October 10, 2006 BOE meeting the report was presented and covered :

Program Efficiency and Delivery
Staffing
Transportation Services
Accounting Processes
NPS and NPA Services
Legal Costs
SELPA Reorganization

There were 113 recommendations.

Janaury 2007

Rosalind Davenport prepared an response to October FCMAT presentation and how they align with the FCMAT recommendations. The repsonse included a request for an $180,000 increase in spending that was detailed at a February, 2007 meeting.

February 2007

The proposed plan included a restructuring staff plan ($10,000), a new K-2 autism classroom ($100,000), and a new position (Education Specialist $70,000) to provide intensive intervention and support the integration between general education and special education.

A written doucment was prepared in response to questions from community meetings.

Rationale & Outcomes for 2007/08

Area	Current Status	FCMAT Recommendation	Proposed Position	Cost	Benefits	Expected Outcomes
Administration	1 FTE Director	#26-28 Site Ownership of Special Education	Eliminate 2 FTE Program Specialist*	$10,000	Admin support to principals to ensure appropriate Evaluation of program and staff	Site adminsitration in-depth knowledge of site programs & staff
.	2 FTE Program Specialist	#30 Administration for Preschool	Add 2 FTE Special Education Coordinators	.	Direct adminsitration of preschool	On-time, thorough evaluation of staff
.	1.6 FTE Teacher Special Assignment	#43 Program Specialist duties	*TSAs provide teacher support generally provided by Program Specialists	.	Administration oversight of high profile site issues	Reduction of number of students in restrictive environments
.	.	#101 Ensure teachers and paraprofessionals are evaluated	.	.	Thorough evaluations of itinerants	Reduction in litigation
.	.	.	.	.	.	Parent and staff satisfaction
Specialized Instruction Positions	Staffing based on Resource Specialist/Special Day Class/Full Inclusion model	#24 Create more options	Add 1 FTE of Education Specialist	$70,000	Provide full FTE om Resource Specialist category to more sites	Increase inclusion as per IDEA 2004
.	Many sites for .6 FTE for Resource Specialist Program	#25 Strenghten programs	.	.	Provide on site Inclusion support at more sites	Reduce or maintain reasonable Special Day Class size
.	Itinerant Full Inclusion	#95 Reconfiguring Special Day Classes	.	.	Support general education	Maintain number of Special Day Classes for mild/moderate
.	Large Special Day Class classes for mild/moderate	.	.	.	Intervention programs	Reduce Non Public Service requests
.	.	.	.	.	Provide staffing support in repsonse to student need in Least Restrictive Environment	Reduce number of referrals for assessment
Special Populations	16 students in preschool autism classes	#95 Reconfiguring Special Day Classes	Add 1 FTE teacher and 1 FTE paraprfessional*	$100,000	Students with autism taught in a research validated setting	Students meet and exceed goals on Individual education Plans
.	Currently 1 Special Day Class for K-2 Autism	#75 Start new special education program	* Currently additional paraprofessionals are in the existing K-2 class	.	Students with inclusion needs can be provided support	Increased inclusion for students with autism
.	Class size miximum is 8	.	.	.	Retain staff	Redcued litigation
.	Higher fucntioning need increase inclusion	.	.	.	.	Redcued Non Public Services requests
.	.	.	.	.	.	Retain staff

January 2008

Staff presented a Powerpoint presentation on progress regarding the Janaury 30, 2007 Special Education Implementation Plan. Autism is one emerging areas drawing a significant amount of special education resources.

Special Education Costs - AUSD

.	06/07	07/08
Special Education Revenues	$7,565,000	.
Special Education Base Revenue Limit	$1,669,000	.
Total Special Education Revenues	$9,234,000	.
Special Education Expenditures	$14,033,000	.
Contribution from General Fund	$4,798,000	$5,600,000

Prior years history will be added when I am able to obtain those numbers. The 07/08 number of $5.6 million is from interim financial reports and will not be finaized until September. The anticipated contribution from the Genral Fund for 2008/09 is over $6.0 million.

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Last modified: August, 2008

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