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Principals updated on changes to special education laws
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Posted on Jan 29 2005
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
The Public School System reminded all schools and their principals of their responsibility to uphold quality education, which includes expanding that mandate to include children with disabilities.
During the PSS’ Principals’ Meeting held last Jan. 27 at the Aqua Resort Club, the PSS chose to focus on the role that schools and teachers play in making sure that they foster an environment, where children with developmental disabilities are given to tools that will enable their inclusion in the community.
For this, the PSS invited Nieves Flores of Guam University’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service to make a presentation on “Continuous Improvement Focused Monitoring.”
The event was attended by all principals from Saipan, Rota and Tinian. PSS officials also attended the event.
The one-day seminar updated the education officials on why continuous monitoring should be observed by schools in dealing with handicapped students.
The presentation also updated the principals on changes in the special education laws, such as the re-authorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The act highlights the use of the NCLB definition for “highly qualified requirements for special education teachers.”
The presentation also discussed procedural safeguards, discipline and dispute resolutions, and Individualized Education Program under the special education program.
PSS Special Education coordinator Joanne Nicholls said the seminar informed the principals of changes that aligned the special education laws with the No Child Left Behind Act.
“This is also to prepare the principals for the monitoring requirements,” she said, “so that when they go back to their schools, they can incorporate these changes.”
Flores said that all schools should conduct “self-assessments” for PSS’ review, which should give schools an idea of how to develop plans to improve on areas that need them. Schools will then submit annual reports that will be used by PSS as its basis in selecting schools for monitoring, visits, and correction of any deficiencies. PSS reviews and approves the plan for schools to implement.
