We don’t talk enough about special education.
Yesterday’s Curriculum Committee meeting impressed me with the depth of work happening across the district to support students with disabilities, and I learned a lot.
Special education is so much more than IEPs and specialized services. It’s about helping students learn, belong, build independence, and prepare for life after school.
Tiffany Pomaville, Executive Director of Special Education, walked the committee through:
• Stronger training and support for special education teachers and aides
• Reviewing IEPs over time to make sure students are making measurable progress
• Preparing for the state’s upcoming review of our practices
• Growing partnerships to help students and families plan for life after graduation
• Ways to offer more intensive support while keeping students connected to their neighborhood schools
What stood out most was the focus on belonging and the least restrictive environment: supporting students alongside their general education peers as much as possible, with the level of support they need.
This is complicated, important work, and it’s part of what makes public schools public: serving every student who walks through our doors.
Thank you to Tiffany and the whole team. The meeting recording and slides are linked below if you’d like to learn more.
Save the date: “Join TCAPS on Thursday, Nov 12 at 6:00 PM (Central High Cafeteria) for “Navigating Life After High School for Students with Disabilities.” Free & open to all families across the region! Learn about job training, college programs, and state resources.”
Recording: https://bit.ly/47wHXti
Slides: https://bit.ly/4jwPXlp
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