Mothers give thumbs up to special education program

SMITHFIELD - Two mothers told the School Committee last week that the local school district's emphasis on mainstreaming special education students has made a profound difference in the lives of their children and gives them hope for the future.

The comments came as Craig Levis, the district's special education director, reviewed the progress of a special education initiative that he said over the past several years has reduced by more than half, from 578 to 279, the number of students in the system who are classified as having special needs.

That's a bit over 10 percent of the total student population, he said, whereas the statewide average is between 18 and 20 percent.

Levis attributed student progress to a wide of array of resources, including committed teachers and administrators, specialized consultants, an intensive pre-school program, parental participation, and close monitoring of individual needs.

He said the emphasis on developing resources within the system has reduced the number of students sent to expensive programs outside the district from 57 to four since 2003.

He said that while the local system still must bear the cost of special education, the needed resources are of help to the entire school population, so the district benefits in general.

Levis said the school system has been aggressive in interpreting a state law that requires the "least restrictive environment" for special needs students. He said they are placed in standard classroom settings with their schoolmates, although they are sometimes temporarily taken out for special instruction in more difficult subjects such as math.

"Each has his right to be educated beside my child and your child," Levis told the committee, which indicated strong satisfaction with the results.

Barbara Clough told the committee that her son Ryan attended local schools from first grade on, and participated in his high school graduation ceremony to an ovation, even though he didn't get a diploma. She said that because of the inclusion program, he is now equipped to socialize, to use computers, and to be prepared "for a life outside the classroom."

Ryan now attends a non-college program at Bryant University, she said, and he and his friends can "talk about everything from the Patriots to the swine flu - even to the cutest girl in school."

"He can express his ideas," she said, "He can self-advocate. He needs support to enable, not disable."

Sue Baron, whose son Bryan attends Gallagher Middle School, said his inclusion in standard classrooms has allowed him to build relationships and an attitude that he is valued.

"He feels included," she said, adding that "He's truly a member of his school community. He works at his own level and takes pride in what he does, and the other kids have learned to interact with him and accept him. My child's success has come from the inclusion program."

Jill Barnhardt, principal of the Anna McCabe elementary school, told the committee that "the extent to which a student is included in school reflects how much he's included in the community as a young adult."

Assistant Supt. Donald Holder added his endorsement of the program, noting that "General education is for every single child and we need to let them access that."

Committee member Joan LaFauci expressed initial concerns that inclusion might not provide enough individual attention for some special education students, but later said that she was satisfied with the explanations.

Asked after the session if inclusion tends to slow the progress of classroom instruction in general, Supt. Robert O'Brien responded that it does not, because teachers constantly pay attention to individual progress of all students.

Levis said he operates under the premise that "Every kid belongs here unless you can prove to me that they don't, and that's the way it should be. The idea is to help these students be contributing members of our community."

The committee's most recent hiring of a principal, for the Old County Road elementary school, was Laurie Sullivan, who has a master's degree in special education learning disabilities and experience teaching in inclusion programs.

In another matter at its Oct. 19 meeting, the committee heard encouraging, if preliminary, financial news.

Business Manager Lisa Cournoyer reported that while it is still early in the fiscal year, figures for the first quarter indicate that if spending were to stay on its current track, the school district would end the year with a surplus of $328,000.

She said the department saved $101,000 when the replacements for three departing teachers were hired at lower rungs on the salary scale, and that additional savings accrued because of several unpaid leaves of absence.