Speaker: Dr. Michele Dowell - Director of Students Services
Contact Info: https://www.northallegheny.org/page/468
Started as a special ed teacher, regular ed (reading program) went into administration coordinator of student services in Charlottesville, VA decided to move back to Pgh. Went back to school to get certified.
What are we doing well/what needs changed
Gifted monitoring (due by 12/9)
Review of 10 student files, with 2 additional file reviews for dual exception
Interview with teachers
Interview with parents
Interview with admin
Make sure we’re in compliance, but also areas to improve to make sure in compliance.
Program review 22-23
Review of screening
Review of the eval process - specifically looking at determination rates
Review of programming
Review of staffing
Review of available data like surveys, test scores
Interviews with focus groups consisting of parents, teachers, and students
Suggestions for improvement and implementation strategies/timelines
What type of environment exists for these students.
Changes to screening
No longer using IOwAS, using ExactPath
The screening process will be changed to reflect these changes but may be temporary as we eval the process.
If IOWA is available they will use it.
Strengths of the program
Number of students
Programming opportunities
Services are delivered during win for elementary
Provides times for students at all levels to interact with peers
Question
I was asked why NA has these many gifted kids. Has district looked into the ratio if NA does have higher % of gifted kids than other districts or not really? Thanks
“In my experience, does have a higher percentage - is negative or positive, it’s something we need to look at. Look at the entire referral process. It is something they will look at during the review.
Can get a pass to go to the GOAL office at NAI lunchroom