DCPS Special Education
Five-Year Program Plan
August 21, 2003

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DCPS Special Education
Five-Year Program Plan

“Our Vision for Tomorrow What’s Happening Today”

The DCPS Special Education Five-Year Program Plan is a critical component of the Special Education Reform Agenda.

The key element of the plan is to build the capacity to serve an increasing number of DCPS students with disabilities within the neighborhoods where they live.

New for 2003-2004 School Year

Capacity for 540 students with special needs within DCPS
Of the 540 approximately 170 students will be returning from nonpublic placements
The remaining 370 students will be students new to special education or students with special needs in DCPS who need another placement
New and/or expanded programs have been developed in over 40 DCPS schools across all neighborhoods

Five-Year Program Plan Objectives

Provides Ability to Predict and Forecast . . .

Current and future needs for special education programs and services
Space, services, and materials based upon current and projected student populations
Transition from citywide separate schools, to inclusive neighborhood cluster programs
Decrease current utilization of transportation services and reduce ride time for students
Create and improve DCPS programs and services comparable to non-public programs
Fiscal resources to support new and expanded special education programs and services
Program needs for students returning to DCPS from non-public schools

Overview of Current Population

Number of DCPS Students = 67,522
Number of Students with Disabilities = 12,135
Percentage of Students Receiving Special Education Services = 18%

Special Education Services Breakdown

76% served in DCPS Schools
24% served in Non-Public Day, Residential, and Interagency Programs
46% Learning Disabled
18% Emotionally Disturbed
13% Mental Retardation
90% Black as compared with 83% in general education
6% Hispanic as compared with 10% in general education
4% White as compared with 5% in general education
<1% Asian & American Indian as compared with 2% in general education
231 Special Education Referrals a Month

Future Goals

Build greater internal capacity within each of our schools to serve a higher percentage of students with all disabilities in compliance with Federal law and the requirements of the Blackman Jones litigation
Empower OSE to be proactive rather than reactive and provide prevention and intervention services
Position DCPS to provide better quality services to students with higher intensity needs who may require special education services delivered outside of their own neighborhood schools
Build neighborhood program capacity to serve students with disabilities who are now bused across the city

Principles of Five-Year Plan

Commitment to:

Maintain a full continuum of services for students with disabilities
The belief that the majority of students with disabilities should be served in neighborhood schools, with the recognition that some students may need to be served in more restrictive settings
Provide support for ALL students
Establish cluster programs in DCPS Planning Areas for students who require intensive services
Expand and improve special education centers
Redesign special education staffing patterns based on total school population to assist with modification of instruction

Paradigm Shift for Service Delivery

Change current focus and utilization of special education staff and personnel

Assessment
Related Services
Technical Support
Prevention
Early Intervention
Assessment
Related Services
Technical Support
Provide students with instructional support
Special education staff become supportive school-based staff members
Reduce number of referrals to special education

DCPS Special Education Five-Year Program Plan August 21, 2003

DCPS Special Education Five-Year Program Plan