Minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee meeting
January 16, 2001
Peel District School Board
Minutes of a meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee of the Peel District School Board, held in the Brampton Room, the HJA Brown Education Centre, 5650 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, Ontario on Tuesday, January 16, 2001 at 20:00 hours.
Members present:
Valerie Arnold-Judge, Trustee
Brenda Bortolo, Peel Parents for Hearing Impaired Children
Lynne Cramer, Community Living Mississauga
Hugh Forrest, Easter Seal Society
Shelly Foster, Peel Parents for Hearing Impaired Children
Dian Gray, Trustee
Kathy Hatton, Learning Disabilities Association of North Peel
Maureen Jones, Learning Disabilities Association of Mississauga
Sue McFadden, Trustee
Ann Smith, Brampton-Caledon Community Living
Natalie Whatley, Autism Society Ontario, Peel Chapter
Absent: (apologies received)
David Croome, Association for Bright Children, Chair
Ellen Forrest, Positive Action for Conductive Education in Ontario (P.A.C.E.)
Linda Marshall, Tourette Syndrome of Ontario, Brampton Peel Chapter
Also present:
Linda Brylowski, Peel Teaching Assistants' Association
Linda Daviss, PSSP
Terry Gordon, PPVPA
Warren Kennedy, Trustee
Christine Peacock, PPVPA
Sandy Ransom, Trustee
Ruth Thompson, Trustee
Donna Woodford, Peel Teaching Assistants' Association
Administration:
Ian Adamson, Superintendent of Special Education Program Services - Executive Member
Ruth Milne, Superintendent of Schools
Larry Street, Superintendent of Schools
Dave Thomas, Superintendent of Schools
Lesley Elliott, Board Reporter
1. Approval of Agenda
In the absence of SEAC Chair, David Croome, Natalie Whatley assumed the Chair for this meeting.
Some agenda items were re-ordered to accommodate persons present.
SE-13, moved by Lynne Cramer, that the agenda be approved.
…........... carried
(2/3 majority)
2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
3. Election of Vice-Chair of SEAC
Differing opinions were expressed by Committee members in response to the suggestion that the election of a Vice-Chair of SEAC be further postponed at this time. During subsequent discussion, reasons for deferring election until the next meeting were clarified by Natalie Whatley and Superintendent Adamson. The following motion was then put on the floor:
SE-14, moved by Lynne Cramer, that the election of the Vice-Chair of SEAC be deferred until the next meeting.
…........... carried
4. Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee, held December 19, 2000
SE-15, moved by Kathy Hatton, that the Minutes of the meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee, held December 19, 2000, be approved.
…........... carried
5. Presentation: Learning Disabilities Association - Ontario
Maureen Jones introduced Carol Yarowski, Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities Association - Ontario, who provided an overview to the Committee regarding some recent initiatives that have been undertaken by the Association. Manager of the Promoting Early Intervention project, Kate Lloyd was also in attendance.
Committee members were informed that the Learning Disabilities Association was founded in 1963 and has approximately 90 SEAC representatives across Ontario. Carol Yarowski advised that the Promoting Early Intervention project, which is funded by the Ministry of Education, was developed to assist the Association respond more effectively to the needs of students with learning disabilities. Under the direction of a steering committee, the project is staffed by about 100 volunteers and is organized into various working groups.
Carol Yarowski indicated that the Learning Disabilities Association - Ontario will be sending out regular updates on the progress of the working groups and that this information will also be available on the Association's website.
SE-16, moved by Maureen Jones, that the presentation re the Learning Disabilities Association - Ontario, be received.
.............. carried
6. Variety Village West Project: Chris Delaney, Variety - The Children's Charity
Superintendent Adamson welcomed Variety Village West Project Co-ordinator, Chris Delaney who provided SEAC members with a brief update on the project's progress.
He spoke about the concerns raised at a public meeting about building the proposed recreational facility on the Erin Mills West site, offered by the Peel DSB, and he confirmed that Variety has now negotiated with the City of Mississauga an alternative for this purpose. He indicated that Variety will be working in partnership with the Peel DSB on this project and he outlined the organization's plans for the near future, which include: exploring other partnerships; summer camps; providing transportation to the new recreation and wellness centre; expansion of programs offered.
Chris Delaney handed out copies of a survey that was recently circulated to local organizations and families, and he requested the Committee's assistance in promoting its distribution. He also encouraged trustees and SEAC representatives to attend an upcoming fund-raising luncheon hosted by the Mississauga Board of Trade.
SE-17, moved by Lynne Cramer, that the report re Variety Village West Project, be received.
.............. carried
7. Home Support Model
A report outlining a proposed pilot project to expand Peel's In School Support Program for exceptional students was presented to SEAC at the March 21, 2000 meeting.
Superintendent of Schools, Ruth Milne provided a brief update on the progress of this project in her superintendency in which ten home school contained classes were redesignated as ISSP classes. She outlined the results of a recent survey that was conducted to ascertain the success of this model, which provided for a more flexible continuum of service to students. The survey indicated generally positive feedback and schools reported that they have been able to address students' needs. Alternative placements in contained classes in other schools were provided for those students who required more intensive support.
Superintendent Milne responded to a number of questions and concerns raised by Committee members with respect to the redesignation of home school contained classes, staffing, and the appropriateness of the expanded ISSP model for secondary level students.
SE-18, moved by Valerie Arnold-Judge, that the oral report re Home Support Model, be received.
.............. carried
8. Update on Secondary Gifted: A Change in Peel's Service Delivery Model
At the last meeting, a report was presented to SEAC regarding a proposal, supported by secondary principals and representatives of the Association for Bright Children, to consolidate programs for gifted students at regional centres, effective September 2001.
Program Co-ordinator, David Jack distributed copies of an Implementation Plan and sample letters to parents of Grades 8 and 9 students, highlighting some revisions that have been made based on suggestions from SEAC members. It was noted that these amendments have been incorporated into the Criteria for Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students - Secondary document, which is included on the agenda for the Committee's review.
SE-19, moved by Kathy Hatton, that the report re Update on Secondary Gifted: A Change in Peel's Service Delivery Model, be received.
.............. carried
9. Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students: Elementary - Revised
David Jack presented a revised Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students - Elementary, for the Committee's review, noting the changes that have been made to this document.
A Committee member commented that Peel's policy regarding the evaluation process for exceptional students needs to be clarified in this document, and a number of suggestions for further revisions were acknowledged by the administration.
SE-20, moved by Shelly Foster, that the report re Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students: Elementary - Revised, be received.
.............. carried
10. Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students: Secondary - Draft
The Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students - Secondary document, in draft form, was reviewed by David Jack. The document lists the types of regional secondary programs available, with program descriptions, placement criteria and options, IPRC guidelines, and information on referral processes. A number of amendments were suggested by Committee members and will be incorporated into a revised document.
SE-21, moved by Sue McFadden, that the report re Criteria for the Identification and Placement of Exceptional Students: Secondary - Draft, be received.
.............. carried
11. Member Presentation Dates - Revised
SE-22, moved by Dian Gray, that the report re Member Presentation Dates - Revised, be received.
.............. carried
12. Communications
SE-23, moved by Lynne Cramer, that the following communications, be received:
1. Letter to Minister of Education from Halton District School Board Chair re Costs of ISA Funding Process
2. Letter to Minister of Education from Chair McDougald re Support for the Waterloo Region DSB's Position on Exceptional Students from Coterminous Boards
3. Letter to Minister of Education from the Greater Essex County DSB re Support for the Waterloo Region DSB's Position on Exceptional Students from Coterminous Boards
4. Letter to Minister of Education from SEAC, Endorsing Letter to Peel, Waterloo, Essex County District School Boards re Exceptional Students from Coterminous Boards
5. Letter to Chair McDougald from Chris Delaney, Variety West Project Manager re Site for Variety Village West Facility and Usage Agreement with the Peel DSB
6. Letter to Minister of Education from Lorne Park Secondary School Advisory Council re Special Education Funding Formula
7. Letter to Minister of Education from Applewood Acres School Council re Potential Special Education Funding Shortfall
8. Letter to Minister of Education from Applewood Acres School Council Chair re After 21 Program
9. Letter to Minister of Education from North Peel Secondary School Council Chair re Potential Shortfall in Special Education Funding
10. Information re the 45th Annual Provincial Conference for the Council for Exceptional Children - Call for Presentations, Papers or Workshops
............. carried
13. Question Period
There were no questions.
14. Public Question Period
There were no public questions.
15. Adjournment
SE-24, moved by Maureen Johnson, that the meeting adjourn (22:50 hours).
.............. carried
Public meetings of the board are held in the board room, HJA Brown Education Centre, 5650 Hurontario Street, Mississauga.
Meetings are open to the public and feature open public question periods, and opportunities to attend as a delegation. For more information, contact Marion Smith, executive assistant, (905)890-1010/1-800-668-1146, ext. 2011 or e-mail: marion.smith@peelsb.com
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