Special Education Audit

• Is the process for special education identification clear, accessible and understandable?
  • Oakwood Schools adheres to guidelines outlined by the Ohio Department of Education’s Evaluation Roadmap for families with children ages 3 - 21.
     
• Are staffing levels adequate in meeting students' needs, and are they comparable with similar districts, including IS caseload (IEP & 504) numbers, paraprofessional support, and related service personnel?
  • During the 2023-24 school year, Oakwood conducted a staffing survey to compare staffing levels at neighboring and similarly sized districts. The survey results are summarized in this special education staffing document, breaking down staffing comparisons at the Elementary, Junior High, and High School levels.  
     
• What are we doing to support students' transition from preschool to kindergarten, elementary to JHS, JHS to HS, and HS to post-school opportunities?
  • Oakwood Schools understands that transitioning between grades and buildings to post-school opportunities can be challenging. To address needs at each level, the District created a transition document outlining expectations, important information, and contacts for families as their students transition.
     
• How do we educate parents about the special education process and make it parent-friendly?
  • School Psychologists Haley Goodwin and Liz Short work directly with families new to the special education process to provide one-on-one information to best address student needs. Watch the video below where they outline the evaluation process for families and provide information on resources families can contact with questions.

How can we provide more intense training for staff on supports and strategies to assist SWD with mental health needs?

In 2023, our staff attended the following trainings:

• August 2023:  SEL 101 and Low-Burden, High-Impact SEL Strategies for the Classroom
• November 2023:  Becoming a Trusted Adult and Sandy Hook Promise: Start with Hello and Say Something
• April 2024:  The S.E.R.V.E. Model
• April 2024: The 7 Types of Rest
• May 2024:  Mindful Gratitude 

How do we highlight and communicate the positive aspects and efforts of the Special Education Department to families and our community?
 

Newsletters are sent on the second Tuesday of each month. If you would like to receive the Special Education Newsletter in your inbox, please visit the "Get Communications" section of our website and follow the steps to subscribe to our Special Education Newsletter. You can find recent newsletters on our Special Education webpage.

Coffee and Conversation - As a way to directly connect and hold conversations with our families and community about special education, Special Education Director Suzanne Batten holds regular coffee chats throughout the year. Dates are advertised in our monthly Special Education Newsletters and in District Newsletters. 
 

How do we help parents access transition and agency resources such Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) for SWD graduating from high school?

How can we add disability support services and resources to college awareness activities?

In response to feedback from the audit and these two guiding questions, Oakwood hosted its first Oakwood and Beyond Panel in April 2024, linking families with experts and opportunities for post-graduation from across the region. Oakwood expects to make this panel an annual event for families to better understand transition and agency resources available to them post-high school.

Review a summary of FAQs from the event

How can we create a PK-12 calendar with specific events in the IEP process, such as different transitions (preschool, 14, graduation), so that new parents are navigating Special Ed, they have the bigger picture?

In 2024 Oakwood created a Grade-Level Roadmap for students from Preschool through 12th Grade. This roadmap provides parents with a clear roadmap with links to resources and contact information for key individuals throughout the district.