A NOTICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

 

During the week of February 28, 2-023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focusing Monitoring Review of Milton Public Schools. The office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter schools very three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Team Process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key area of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the Chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student record sand onsite observations.

Parents or other individuals may call Joan Brinckerhoff Public School Monitoring Chairperson at 781.338.3715 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide Milton Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the reports at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/pcr/reports/.

 

 

MPS has two full time Inclusion Specialists, Maureen Butler (K-5)  and Caroline Mannion (6-12+).

These staff members play a valuable role in our community and you can read more about them below. 

 

Maureen Butler; mbutler@miltonps.org; (617) 696-4288 x4115

Maureen shares a description of her role:

  • Serve as the chair for Student Support Team (SST) at each of the four elementary schools. 
  • Conduct student observations to identify strategies or environmental modifications necessary to help increase the student’s successful participation.
  • Support teachers in implementing strategies suggested at SST or following observations (i.e. making materials, behavior charts etc.)
  • Help identify barriers to student’s successful participation in school and problem-solve ways to address those barriers (i.e. strategies to implement)
  • Communicate with principals/ team chairs to identify students or teachers who require support.
  • Assist with data collection (creating charts/ doing time samples)
  • Conduct assistive technology consultations 
  • Support students transitioning from one MPS program to another (i.e. Glover to Cunningham). Help teachers to adequately prepare for the transition.
  • Create social stories to help improve a student's ability to access their educational environment. 
  • Lead the inclusion task force to bring teachers, administrators, community members and parents together to increase inclusion opportunities in the school and larger community
  • Participate in and lead the Assistive Technology committee 
  • Organize celebration days (inclusion week etc)
  • Oversee the Celebrating Our Differences Program expansion into the four elementary schools.
  • Collaborate with PTO to ensure that parent run activities are accessible for all students
  • Organize the FM Systems for students in the district

Caroline Mannion; cmannion@miltonps.org

Caroline Shares a description of her role:

  • Serve as the chair for Student Support Team (SST) for the Middle and High School
  • Conduct student observations to identify strategies or environmental modifications necessary to help increase the student’s successful participation.
  • Support teachers in implementing strategies suggested at SST or following observations (i.e. making materials, behavior charts etc.)
  • Help identify barriers to student’s successful participation in school and problem-solve ways to address those barriers (i.e. strategies to implement)
  • Communicate with principals/ team chairs to identify students or teachers who require support.
  • Assist with data collection (creating charts/ doing time samples)
  • Coordinate assistive technology consultations 
  • Provide on-going training to staff on inclusive practices. 
  • Provide parent training on how to support their child’s learning and wellbeing. 
  • Consult on programming and inclusion opportunities with sub separate programs.  
  • Support students transitioning from one MPS program to another (i.e. Middle School to High School). Help teachers to adequately prepare for the transition.
  • Participate in the inclusion task force to bring teachers, administrators, community members and parents together to increase inclusion opportunities in the school and larger community
  • Participate in the Assistive Technology committee 
  • Assist in the organization of celebration days (inclusion week etc)
  • Collaborate with PTO to ensure that parent run activities are accessible for all students