Superintendent’s Spring Forum on Special Education

[Howard Hartman]

For Immediate Release	April 19, 2012

Superintendent’s Spring Forum on Special Education

More than 350 attended the April 16 forum;
next forum is May 10 on social and emotional learning

More than 350 people joined Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr Monday night for a discussion on special education. The event, held at Seneca Valley High School, was the third of four spring forums that Dr. Starr is holding on important educational topics.

“It was great to have so many parents, staff, and community members come together for a discussion on special education,” Dr. Starr said. “This is just the beginning of the conversation and I look forward to reflecting on what we discussed Monday and delving deeper into this topic in the future.”

The evening included the presentation of data and information about special education in MCPS and a panel discussion around specific topics. The panel of experts included Marcella E. Franczkowski, assistant state superintendent, division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services, MSDE; Meredith Bove, an MCPS parent; Gwendolyn J. Mason, director, MCPS Department of Special Education Services; Marita Sherburne, principal of Wood Acres Elementary School; and Jocelyn J. Watson, learning center coordinator at Galway Elementary School.

After the panel discussion, attendees participated in small-group discussions to share their thoughts about the information and ideas raised by Dr. Starr and the panelists. The discussions were facilitated by MCPS staff, and topics discussed were shared with the panelists at the end of the forum.

Topics addressed during the forum included parent engagement, the transition process from elementary to secondary school, and how to foster effective teacher–parent communication.

Dr. Starr’s next forum will focus on social and emotional learning and will take place on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Walt Whitman High School. Dr. Starr held two forums earlier in the spring on the topics of English language learners and gifted education. Video and related materials from both events are available on the Superintendent’s Spring Forum website.