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OF SPECIAL EDUCATION Minutes from the State Advisory Council on Children and Youth with Disabilities Holiday Inn, North This was the first day of a 2-day meeting of the Council. The first day's meeting was an orientation session which is a non-public meeting. The meeting tomorrow, January 16, 1998, will be an open meeting. In attendance on January 15, 1998: Rose Black, Jeanine Calabria, Michael Dalrymple, Kate Ekins, Maureen Greer, Liam Grimley, Carolyn Heier, Marcia Johnson, Edward Kasamis, Mary Ramos, David Schmidt, Julie Swaim, Theresa Willard, Deborah Winchester, Jackie Pitman, and Cathlene Hardy-Hansen. Bob Marra, Steve Stafford, Lynn Holdheide, Gary Collings, and Sharon Knoth were also in attendance. Bob welcomed all members and began the introductions of the Council Members, Division and ISEAS staff. One of the first agenda items for the February meeting will be to elect a chairperson. Kathy Wodicka, our current chairperson, was unable to attend this month's meeting. She and Bob discussed this issue and felt it would be best for everyone to get to know one-another at this month's meeting, and then elect a new chair at the next meeting. Bob clarified that he is a non-voting member and is considered the executive secretary of the Council. Bob explained that Mrs. Santa Brink would be with us tomorrow as a representative of the State Board of Education. A sub-committee for the State Board was appointed to assist the Council as we revise Article 7 to comply with IDEA '97. It is hoped that this joint process will make the revision of Article 7 go smoothly. The Division is reviewing and drafting some guidelines the Council may utilize when reviewing Comprehensive Plans. Many of the current LEA's Comprehensive Plans need revisions and a number planning districts have approached the Division requesting to restructure their cooperatives. The Division will develop some clear directions to provide districts guidance throughout this process. Dr. Kasamis mentioned that another role of the Council is to bring concerns from various organizations to the attention of the Director of Special Education. There are many issues out there - teacher shortages, training issues, etc. This is a forum for addressing the concerns of individuals and organizations in the state. If you have an item you would like to have on the agenda, please let us know so that we may add it and bring in the necessary Division personnel to address or provide additional information on the issue/concern. Bob gave an overview of the various documents contained within each member's information packet. Bob will get the Council copies of the comments our office has made regarding the proposed regulations through our legal counsel and through NASDSE - National Association of State Directors of Special Education. We will also get the Council a copy of the Discipline "Interpretation" letter OSEP sent out in November. Concerns and issues on training and on-going professional development were discussed, especially as they pertain to discipline. The Graduation Qualifying Examination was discussed, especially in light of the issues of discipline and equity of applicability of the appeal process. This topic will be discussed further tomorrow. The topic of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs), and Speech Language Assistants (SLAs) ensued. Why do universities "control" the number of graduates in programs? Dr. Grimley spoke to this question (fiscal reasons, number of job openings, keeping abreast of new technologies, etc.). This issue is not solely for speech therapy, it also pertains to blind, visually impaired, and deaf programs.
Meeting of the State Advisory Council on Students and Youth with Disabilities January 16, 1998 In attendance: Cathlene Hardy-Hansen, Michael Dalrymple, Jeanine Calabria, Julie Swaim, Liam Grimley, Kate Ekins, Marcia Johnson, Rose Black, Mary Ramos, Edward Kasamis, Bret Bollinger, Carolyn Heier, Deborah Winchester, Theresa Willard, Maureen Greer, Becky Kirk, Robert Marra, and David Schmidt. Interpreters: Penny Hogan and Lisa Moster. Also in attendance: Santa Brink, Gary Collings, Steve Stafford, Lynn Holdheide, and Sharon Knoth. The meeting was called to order at 8:38 a.m. Mr. Schmidt, Vice Chair served as the Chair of the Council in Mrs. Wodicka's absence. Minutes from the May meeting of the Council were distributed and read. Dr. Grimley moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Dr. Kasamis. The minutes were approved without corrections. A discussion of when the future Council meetings should occur ensued. Dr. Kasamis moved that the Council meet on Friday, February 20, 1998, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending whenever business is completed; March 19, 1998, beginning at 9:00 a.m., going through the entire day with a dinner meeting, and re-convene on the 20th of March at 9:00 a.m., concluding whenever business is completed. Seconded by Dr. Grimley. Mrs. Black indicated that when considering family concerns, starting later in the day on the first day of a 2-day meeting is much easier on her family. Mrs. Black moved that Dr. Kasamis' motion be amended to begin at 10:00 a.m. on the 19th of March. Seconded by Dr. Kasamis. Motion approved. A discussion of April and May meetings ensued. The Council asked that we tentatively schedule Friday May 1st in Bloomington or someplace else (due to the Indianapolis 500 and potential difficulties which may be encountered in securing hotel space). We will assess during the February meeting whether we need to go ahead with that date, and if so, secure a meeting room for May 1, 1998. Mr. Schmidt brought Council members' attention to the ISEAS Directory which Dr. Collings provided for all members. Mr. Schmidt indicated that the members may want to place this in their manual and have it available for use at future meetings. He complimented Dr. Collings and the ISEAS staff for their work on a useful directory. Mr. Marra began an overview of the State Plan. Dr. Kasamis asked whether the Council would receive information regarding the fiscal impact study and any changes which may come about as a result of the State Board's hearings. Mr. Marra indicated that it would come back to the Council for one final review. A discussion of "Age of Majority" and Indiana giving parents and students concurrent rights at the age of 18-years old ensued. This is an area where Indiana regulations go beyond Federal regulations, and one that we would envision proposing to change in the upcoming months. A question arose regarding Department of Corrections and IDEA '97. Mrs. Heier gave a response to the question. Once an adult enters corrections, they have a choice as to whether they wish to pursue an education. Nonetheless, DOC stands ready to offer educational services to them. Mrs. Brink expressed concerns regarding the causal determination conference and the area of discipline. She is concerned regarding procedures used by local districts for these conferences (that there may be pre-determination factors involved). Dr. Bollinger explained the process for causal determination conferences conducted in his district. Mr. Schmidt asked if there was any more business. Mrs. Heier moved that the Council meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Dr. Grimley. Meeting adjourned at 11:33 a.m.
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Indiana Department of Education |
