- Managing Behavior Challenges
- Neuropsychological Evaluations 101
Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops |
"It’s all about perception of self," he said. "If the system does not view you in a positive way how are you going to succeed?"But now, for the first time in 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated its suite of IEP resources, starting with forms that invite more student input about their educational goals and plans. That feedback will be critical to developing the student's IEP, which lays out the services the student receives in a school year.Advocates and educators across the state say they're optimistic that the new IEP forms and process it generates will lead to a more high-quality IEP and improve the overall educational experience for students with disabilities.The overhaul is the result of a nine-year effort led by the state department of education and guided by teachers and administrators, as well as advocates like Gabovitch and Julia Landau, a senior project director with the Massachusetts Advocates for Children."
wbur.org: "Special education planning form gets revamp in Mass. for first time in 20 years" |
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5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023 |
This Twitter thread shares insights on one aspect of the Franklin school budget that other communities are affected by also:
"The Operational Services Division (OSD) falls under the Executive Office for Administration & Finance and has a variety of responsibilities, including setting tuition prices for approved special education programs in approximately 100 private schools.
Out of district tuition rate increase of 14% one factor for increase in school budget for FY2024 |
These schools accommodate students with needs that cannot be met by their current District. The OSD has proposed a 14% inflation rate increase for FY24. For the past 10 years, OSD has instituted an average annual increase of 1.8%.This unprecedented 14% increase is straining local budgets across Massachusetts. This 14% increase comes out to over $775k for Franklin alone. I don’t see how any district can absorb that kind of increase.I will be reaching out to our local legislators asking that they cosponsor 3 bills that seek to meet the demands that our school districts (and taxpayers) are facing in connection with this cost increase - and I ask that you all do the same:HD 3170 which lowers circuit breaker cost threshold; HD 3156 which increases the circuit breaker reimbursement rate; and HD 3102 which would create a Special Ed Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the fiscal sustainability of special education service delivery in MA."
FM #938 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 938 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with two Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) board members; Arielle Shearer and Patty Middelmann.
We discuss the creation of SEPAC which dates back to the education reform efforts in the early 1990’s where each community getting special education funding in MA needs to have this committee to work with the School District.
Our wide ranging discussion centers around education and accommodations for special needs kiddos, some of the many ways on how the support group helps other parents, and that the group is also open to the entire community as we are “interested parties.”
The audio recording runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Arielle and Patty about SEPAC and how you might get involved. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-938x-franklin-sepac-discussion-call-to-action-02-07-23
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Franklin SEPAC links & information
Website -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/franklinsepac
Mailing List and Survey -> https://forms.gle/TYuAJLeqvLzKNbNb8
SEPAC September Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cEFAFNI_Cwg7uz45nFCwPYy6kunR8c0I/view?usp=share_link
Franklin SEPAC Spring Letter https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qcis7TW6uxBML1xkEUI_t-tu2AxRSYz5/view?usp=share_link
Contact Email: FranklinSEPAC@gmail.com
504 plan info -> https://www.understood.org/en/articles/504-plans-a-guide-for-teachers
Federal IDEA legislation -> https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/
MA Behavioral Help Hotline -> https://www.masshelpline.com/
The "adjacent possible" comes from this book mentioned during the conversation: Steven Johnson - Where do Good Ideas Come from (TED Talk) -> https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from
Where do Good Ideas Come from Book link -> https://www.amazon.com/Where-Good-Ideas-Come-Innovation-ebook/dp/B0046ZRZ30
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
FM #914 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 914 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with six members present (M Whitmore absent).
School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Key items on the agenda
Possible Student Trip to Greece preview - presentation and Q&A as a preview of a possible trip being planned for spring of 2024. EF TOurs would be the tour company, used previously successfully. Concerns about cost and equitable access of the trip for students. Could come back in future for formal approval if it indeed will be planned for
Special Education Presentation - an increase of 36 students in the program year over year while the overall population of students continues to decline. Key stat revealed that it costs approx 32K /student for in district special ed vs. approx 80K for out of district special ed placement. Hence a savings overall of 48K per student kept in the district.
Capital Budget proposal - approval ultimately after much discussion about the ‘reduction’ in the allocation from the Town to allow for only $80K, $400K for capital and another $80K for school facility capital projects. It is a town issue and other departments are seeing their capital needs list grow due to lack of funding.
The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting.
The recording runs about 3 hours and 15 minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Jan 10, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-914-fps-school-committee-mtg-01-10-23
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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
Video link -> https://youtu.be/YUW5pojSym4
The agenda doc contains info on remote participation
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_1-10-23.pdf
All the documents released for this meeting (some after the meeting) can be found in one folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-10-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet
My Twitter notes are here in one PDF file ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Gyl1CsepTlIidRXDbeVU7GOf4M_lzqz/view?usp=share_link
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
The Special Education portion of the meeting was lead by (L to R) Asst Supt Paula Marano, Jennifer Graveline, and Andrew Duquette |
"Special Education is…❏ Specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of an eligible student, and/or❏ Related services necessary to access and make progress within the general curriculum❏ Special education services are a significant modification of content, instructional approach, instructional level or performance criteria"
Insights to the Special Education Program for Franklin Schools on tap at School Cmte Mtg 1/10/23 |
"We are hiring! Need a full-time Educational Support Professional (classroom assistant) at ECDC!
This is a school year position, but there is also an opportunity to work during our 6-week summer program!
Email me for more information kelleyk@franklinps.net ! "
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinECDC/status/1518392993513938950
https://www.franklinps.net/ecdc |
FM #698 & #699 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 698 & 699 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: six of the School Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, one member was remote (E Stokes) along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the almost two hour 30 minute into two (2) logical segments:
First - covers the opening, much of this segment is on the student services presentation and Q&A (~1:23 mins) Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-698-school-committee-mtg-student-services-01-11-22-p1-of-2
Second - covers the Superintendent's report, Discussion action items, Discussion only items, Consent agenda and then votes to enter Executive Session, not to return to open meeting. (~ 1 hour and 5 minutes) Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-699-school-committee-meeting-01-11-22-p2-of-2
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.
Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting Jan 11, 2022
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Agenda doc can be found ->
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agenda
School Committee Meeting packet folder ->
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/2021-22-meetingpackets
My notes captured during the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-school-committee-hears-about-1.html
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"