Special Education Update for 2020-21

This past year, school and district leaders reviewed the needs of our special education students and our programs to identify what was working well and what could be improved.

In a nutshell, they found based on identified student needs and comparisons with other neighboring districts we were overstaffed in some areas and understaffed in others. Some programs were overcapacity and needed more staff. Specifically,

There were programs needing more support based on caseloads and direct student services. These were programs at Lewis & Clark and Washington elementary schools and Syringa Middle and Caldwell High schools.
Some services were overstaffed including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and vision services;
Some services were understaffed - behavior interventionists

Like other school districts, including West Ada, Vallivue, Nampa, and Kuna to name a few, Caldwell provides services to our students in a model that includes services delivered by district employees and contracting with agencies or individuals. For years, we've contracted for some speech language services. Next year, we will contract for some behavior interventionists.

Here’s a look at changes being made:

Existing Programs: Increased support based on student need (direct services) and anticipated 20/21 caseloads
New positions	Program	School
1 Paraprofessional	Extended Resource Room	Lewis & Clark Elementary School
1 Special Education Teacher & 1 Paraprofessional	Expansion of elementary TEAM program at Washington Elementary to a second school site	Sacajawea Elementary School
1 Paraprofessional	Resource Room	Syringa Middle School
1 Special Education Teacher	Extended Resource Room	Syringa Middle School
2 Paraprofessionals	Extended Resource Room	Caldwell High School
1 Behavior Specialist	District-Wide	Secondary Level
1 Special Education Teacher	Resource Room	Caldwell High School & Canyon Springs High School

Speech Language Services: Decreased support based on student need (direct services) and anticipated 20/21 caseloads
Position	2019-20 Number of Staff	2020-21 Number of Staff	Change
Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) SLPs have been contracted for several years.	9	8	Reduce 1 position based on anticipated caseload for next school year. Can be increased if student need increases.
SLP aide	3	2	Staff resigned and position not replaced
SLP paraprofessional	2	0	Staff can apply for other paraprofessional jobs in the district.

Vision: Decreased support based on student need (direct services) and anticipated 20/21 caseloads
Position	2019-20 Number of Staff	2020-21 Number of Staff	Change
Teacher	1	0	This support will be provided by experts from the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind Outreach program with support from a classified staff member. Please note this individual is remaining with the district in a different teaching position.
Vision Paraprofessional	0	1	New position will support IESDB certified staff

Occupational Therapy: Decreased support based on student need (direct services) and anticipated 20/21 caseloads
Position	2019-20 Number of Staff	2020-21 Number of Staff	Change
Therapist	2	2	-
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants	2	0	Reduce 2 positions based on anticipated caseload for next school year. Can be increased if student need increases.

Behavior Interventionists - Increased support based on student need (direct services)
Position	2019-20 Number of Staff	2020-21 Number of Staff	Change
Behavior Interventionists - Employed by District	24	9 district employees	To manage this change, all BIs were released and given the opportunity to apply for the 9 district positions. The district will partner with agencies -- Centerpointe, A&R, and Life Counseling -- to support those displaced. Note: 15 of these positions worked 1 year or less with the Caldwell School District.
Behavior Interventionists Employed by Contracting	0	17 contracted staff	Will contract for these positions through our partnering agencies.
Total BI	24	26	+2

Published June 18, 2020 Print