Good news for Special Education at TUSD
Good news for Special Education at TUSD
By: Connie McCullough
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 392 times
0 responses 0 comments Good things are happening in the Special Education Department at the Tehachapi Unified School District.
TUSD Special Education programs went through an Educational Benefit Review last March and May.
“The State was looking at our Independent Education Programs (known as IEPs) to see if the assessment and goals for each IEP were directly related,” explained Patricia Merritt, interim Special Education Director. “There is a direct correlation between assessment and the subsequent goals and objectives that are written for each IEP,” she added.
This results in a more directed and meaningful education for the child.
The State reviewed about 60 records of the more than 500 available in the Special Education Department. Merritt indicated that the auditors were looking for systemic problems as well as errors on individual records.
Merritt smiled when she related that on June 14, she was told by the leader of the audit team, James Johnson, that TUSD could expect a letter indicating that the school district was in compliance with all requirements. “This is a tribute to the efforts of the staff to ensure that we were prepared,” she said.
Monthly training sessions were conducted by Merritt, for teachers and administrators so they would be aware of what was required and how to correct noted problems.
This new method of auditing is occurring throughout the state. Following the complete audit of all school districts and counties in California, each can then expect a review every three years.
This is good news for the incoming Director of Special Education, Dennison Winchell. He is working with Merritt to effect a smooth transition when he officially begins on July 1.
Winchell is experienced in special education and administration from Lancaster City Schools. He and his family live in Tehachapi and his wife is a teacher at Tompkins Elementary School.
Winchell is also stepping into the final months of compensatory speech services that continue to be provided to students who did not receive such services during the 2004/2005 school year. There were insufficient speech pathologists in the school district at that time to adequately provide services. It is expected that all owed compensatory time will be completed by December 2007.
These positive outcomes are the result of the dedicated and intelligent efforts of Merritt who will be retiring from TUSD — for the second time. She previously retired as the principal of Golden Hills Elementary School, then was requested to temporarily fill the position of Director of Special Education.
“This is my second, and last, retirement,” she said. “My husband and I have sold our house and are living in our in new home. Our motor home.”
Traveling will once again fill their days. It's unlikely that Merritt will be available for a third retirement.
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