Cloudy Skies Overshadow Greenville’s Special Education Reform Discussions

Cloudy Skies and Special Education Calls in Greenville

Good morning, Greenville! Today, we’ve got cloudy weather with a chance of rain, but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of our community leaders who are making strides in special education services. The high will reach a pleasant 73°F, with ENE winds shifting to SSW at speeds of 10 to 15 mph. Make sure to grab that umbrella if you’re heading out, as there’s a 50% chance of rain today, especially in those early hours. Tonight, things will clear up nicely with a low of 51°F and winds from the NW. So cozy up!

Focus on Special Education

Now, shifting gears to some serious discussions from our school board. On November 12th, the Greenville County school board convened a meeting that lasted nearly three hours, shedding light on special education services amidst troubling circumstances. This comes in the aftermath of heartbreaking news regarding the death of an autistic student and mounting concerns about slow responses to families seeking disability services.

During the meeting at district headquarters, board member Lynda Leventis-Wells raised some important questions regarding these services. Traci Hogan, the assistant superintendent for special education, shared a detailed overview of the services offered to the county’s 12,588 students with disabilities.

Time for a Review?

One of the key topics of discussion was the recommendation for an external review of the special education department—the last one was conducted way back in 2014. Superintendent Burke Royster, who has been at the helm since 2012, pointed out that while there has been progress, they’re not quite satisfied with where things stand. “We have made significant progress, but the answer is, we are not satisfied,” he stated.

Royster has plans to engage an external review firm to analyze internal data and capture feedback through surveys and focus groups involving all 13,000 special education families in our community. While this audit is a step in the right direction, it has left some parents wanting more immediate action.

Parents Want a Seat at the Table

Parents like Allison Huffstutler, who leads a local parent advocacy group for special education, are calling for the creation of a local advisory council. They believe that such a council would help rebuild trust and foster better relationships between families and the district. “The district could address systemic issues now with the input of parents, students, teachers, and therapists,” she emphasized in a message.

It’s worth noting that while the U.S. Department of Education doesn’t mandate local-level advisory councils, it does recommend them as a best practice. With nearly 40 passionate parents in attendance at the October school board meeting, the demand for involvement has never been clearer!

Voices and Safe Spaces

According to board members, setting up a special education advisory council could help parents feel more engaged and involved in the process. Board member Angie Mosley shared her perspective as a parent of an adult son with special needs, stressing the importance of creating a safe space for parents to discuss their experiences and challenges. “They really want to have a process or a place where it’s not just a one-time event,” Mosley noted.

Interestingly, the only district in South Carolina with an advisory council for special education is Lexington School District 1. Board member Sarah Dulin remarked, “I don’t know why we wouldn’t want that,” advocating for Greenville County to become a leader in establishing such essential support.

What’s Next?

While the board is not dismissing the idea of forming an advisory council, Superintendent Royster mentioned that doing so before the external review would be “premature.” However, there’s definitely hope for parents feeling left out of conversations about crucial services for special needs students. The next steps are still forming, but the community is ready to take action.

So, as we navigate some cloudy weather and look forward to a brighter future for our students, stay tuned for updates on how Greenville County tackles these vital educational reforms!

Follow along with the latest developments right here as we keep you informed about our community and schools!