vera a. gallagher & mark secaur oceanside union free school district improving the graduation...

Vera A. Gallagher & Mark SecaurOceanside Union Free School District

Improving the Graduation Rate for Students with Disabilities Receiving

Regents Diplomas

Presenter Information

Vera A. Gallagher- Supervisor of Special Education

vagallagher@oceansideschools.org

Mark Secaur- Principal

msecaur@oceansideschools.org

Oceanside High SchoolSouth Shore Nassau County2000 studentsPredominately middle classDemographic Information

87% Caucasian9% Hispanic9% Students with

DisabilitiesSpecial Education Philosophy

The Age of Accountability

NCLBAPPRValue AddedEtc.

What about the student?Why is a Regents Diploma important?

• Life lessons

o Hard work

o Perseverance

o Facing challenges

• Greater chance of success at post-secondary level

• Self-esteem

• Employability

Data, Data, DataPercent of Graduates with Disabilities

Who Earn a Regents Diploma

What is the equation?

+ =

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Lay the Groundwork

Identify the studentsBelieve!Enlist the help of the

“village”o Counselorso Teacherso Parentso Administration

The StrategyDevelop plan for each

studentCreate schedules/determine

staffing needsHire certified teachers as

subsProvide short-term, intense

1:1 or small group instruction

Oversee interventions directly

Provide optimum testing environment

Intervention Options Parent Meeting Parent Call Student meeting Attendance Counselor Discussion with teacher Child Study Team Skills Classes Intensive tutoring in

Resource Centers Able, Intelligent Minds

(AIM) mentoring program Liberty Partnership Preparation For Regents

classes

Component retesting Summer School Night School Extra Help Group Counseling Social Worker/Psychologist

involvement Associate Principal

involvement 504 plan Castleton Alternative HS Oceanside Learning Center

Students in JeopardyStudent Counselor Concern Interventions Follow up

Smith, John Mesquita Grades (Brit. Lit., Economics, Marine Science)

Attendance Emotional

issues

1,3,4,6,9,18, 19 referred to outside counseling (met w/ Psychologist, Social Worker

Closely following her attendance and progress

Confirmed counseling

Met with Associate Principal on 3/21

Will meet with Principal 5/20

Jones, Susan Mesquita Grades (US Government, Economics

Attendance

1,2,4,6,9,16,18 Meeting w/ student frequently and checking in w/ teachers

Parent Meeting scheduled for 5/18

Essential Factors

Shared VisionSincerity of PurposePositive RelationshipsConsistent

CommunicationFollow up

Next Steps….

Determine Optimal Times for Interventions

Focus on Student Mastery

Identify the Most Successful Staff & Strategies