The Aberdeen Special Services Cooperative will provide high quality educational programs to students with special learning needs in order that all students may have the opportunity to meet Washington State's high academic standards and experience success in social and vocational situations. -- Aberdeen Special Services Mission Statement

Goals

1. To enhance program options for all special services programs.

• A procedure to facilitate the process of transitioning students from one building/program to another will be designed.
• Technology will be used to provide adaptations and accommodations to the general education curriculum and to provide specially designed instruction for students with disabilities.
• A continuum of service options will be provided. Programs will be provided to meet the needs of diverse learners. Targeted will be programs for students in the Resource programs with moderate disabilities, vocational offerings and programs for students with behavioral challenges.
• A proactive response system with trained and closely supervised Para educators will be designed to educate students with social-emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Collaboration with community resources will be maximized to school to community transition programs.
• Children with disabilities will be educated, to the maximum extent possible, within the general education program.
• Additional resources will be allocated for materials for programs, adaptations and modifications as well as incentive grants to support district-wide special education goals.

2. To recruit and maintain highly trained and skilled staff; to promote staff development, enthusiasm and collaborative decision making throughout the District.

• High quality staff members will be recruited and retrained in order to ensure full staffing and reasonable workloads.
• Opportunities for professional development will be provided consistent with department goals. Appropriate staff development will be provided for teachers, support staff and Para educators.
• Regular meetings of special education staff will be held to increase communication and enhance program development.

3. To build relationships with general education, parents and the community at large.

• Parent training and family activities will be provided for parents of children enrolled in early childhood programs.
• An organization for parents of students with special needs (PIE - Partners in Education) will be formed and meet regularly to enhance parent/staff partnerships.
• Communication will be enhanced with parents who do not speak English.
• Interagency projects will be pursued.

4. To ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines.

• Staff will be provided with training regarding federal and state regulations.
• Special Education procedures and forms will be streamlined and revised to ensure compliance with new regulations.
• Functional Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies will be implemented for students with behavioral disabilities in order to maintain compliance with disciplinary regulations.

5. To maximize revenue an efficiently manage resources for optimum program development.

• Evaluations and IEPs will be completed in a timely manner to collect maximum revenue and maintain regulatory compliance.
• transfer students will be identified at the time of enrollment. Paperwork will be reviewed and accepted expediently.
• The Medicaid Administrative Match Program will be fully implemented.
• Opportunities for grant funding will be pursued.
• Safety Net applications will be completed to obtain maximum funds.
• Choice policies and opportunities for inter district agreements will be examined.
• Private school services will be provided in a manner consistent with state and federal guidelines. Out of district student will be referred to their district of residence for special education services.