Latest news with #OsceolaCountySchoolDistrict
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Parents angry over proposed changes to Osceola County ESE program
The Brief The Osceola County School District plans significant changes to its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. Parents are concerned about the impact on their children's routines and the lack of consultation. Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff acknowledged communication issues, and families are advocating for more input. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Osceola County School District plans significant changes to its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. What we know Major changes are planned for the Osceola County School District's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. The key changes include integrating special needs students into general education classes and establishing 'HUBS' for those requiring more attention. However, these changes would disrupt students' current school assignments, potentially sending them to schools outside their zones. What we don't know It remains unclear how the changes will be implemented and what specific criteria will determine which students are placed in HUB schools. The exact number of HUB schools and how they will manage the influx of students with higher needs also remain unspecified. The backstory The proposed changes to the ESE program are part of broader efforts to address the district's challenges, including staffing shortages and limited state funding. With more than 13,800 students in the ESE program, the district has been struggling to meet the needs of its special education population. The school district has not consulted extensively with parents, which has led to growing concern and pushback from families. By the numbers According to the Osceola County School District's website, they currently have more than 69,000 students enrolled across 60 schools. Of those 69,000 students, 13,800 qualify for ESE classes. Timeline The changes were introduced at a recent school board meeting, and the impact is expected to be felt in the coming school year. Families are currently voicing their concerns and advocating for more transparency and input before the changes are fully implemented. What they're saying Parents, including Shannon Smallwood, whose daughter Charlotte has Smith-Magenis syndrome, expressed frustration over the abrupt changes. "These kids are flourishing where they're at now," said Smallwood. "So why the change? Why the abrupt change? Smallwood's daughter needs extra help in the classroom and qualifies as an ESE student. "I love my school," Charlotte excitedly said at her mom's side. For Karin Baker's 14-year-old son, Colin, it would mean leaving the school he's attended for years and going to a different one more than 45 minutes away. "He's going to have to learn new teachers, new peers, new friends… it's life-altering for these children," Baker said. "All of these kids with special needs, routine is crucial for them; it's crucial for them." Colin is diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. Baker said she's not opposed to changes within the district's ESE program, she just wants parents' input to be taken into consideration. "I would feel better if they said, let's pause this. Let's get some parent input… let's see how this is going to affect not only our ESE students, but our educators, our paraprofessionals," Baker said. "Give us a seat at the table, to give some input on how we could make successful changes." During Tuesday night's meeting, school board member Paula Bronson received a standing ovation after urging her fellow board members to be transparent with families whose lives are about to drastically change. "As a board member and an educator, I did not feel set up for success, so I can't imagine how the parents have to feel," Bronson said. Osceola County Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff listed county growth, ESE staffing shortages, and a lack of state funding as reasons for the adaptations – but he also admitted to wrongdoing. "There are things that have been communicated that I wish had been communicated better – from me… from me. I own that; not a member of my team… I'm the superintendent," Shanoff said. "If things aren't communicated effectively, that falls on my shoulders." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County School District, the Osceola County School Board, and parents Shannon Smallwood and Karin Baker.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Wrong direction:' teachers, parents oppose special education changes coming to Osceola County
Parents, teachers, and The Osceola County Education Association are sounding the alarm on the Osceola County School District's plan to restructure its special education program. Beginning next school year, the district plans to consolidate special needs classrooms in designated hub schools. Some high-functioning special needs students, who have only known 'self-contained' classrooms, will be moving into general education classes, while kids with more intense special needs could be forced to transfer schools. The district said the change is a step toward greater inclusion and is needed to comply with state standards. A spokesperson for the district said Osceola County Schools has 'an obligation to provide students with every opportunity to be educated with their non-disabled peers.' However, special needs parents say they were blindsided by the changes. Channel 9 spoke with several special needs parents on Thursday who said their kids need routine and believe these changes could reverse their progress. 'They're going to be ripped from everything that they've known…The hub that my son would be in would be a 40 minute on a good day,' said Karin Baker, whose special needs son Colin is currently a 7th grader at Harmony Middle School. In a Facebook post, the Osceola County Education Association said the changes 'will be hard' and would 'create more frustration than ever.' The association sited concerns about increased workloads, since more students with special needs and accommodations will be in general education classes. 'Many general education teachers have not been adequately trained for this transition,' reads the post, 'Some student may not be able to access grade-level curriculum effectively, leading to frustration and behavior management issues that will disrupt the learning environment.' The district said in a statement to Channel 9, staff will receive professional learning through the rest of the year and over the summer in anticipation of the changes. 'Through the inclusive scheduling process, additional supports will be available for general education teachers to implement a student's Individual Education Plan ('IEP'),' said an Osceola County Schools Spokesperson. Several teachers told the district during a school board meeting Tuesday that the changes were not practical. 'The plan looks beautiful on paper, but if you have never been in a classroom. You're not going to know that that's not reality for most of our students,' said one ESE teacher. 'I'm here to represent my students. I don't think this is the right direction for them,' said another ESE teacher. You can view Osceola County School District's full statement below: 'The Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Service's ('BEESS') target for students in separate classrooms is 12.7% for the current school year. Currently 21.4% of all ESE students in the district are being served in a separate class setting. The school district has an obligation to provide students with every opportunity to be educated with their nondisabled peers. Updates to the Continuum of ESE Services provides an increased level of support for students in their least restrictive environment while simultaneously maximizing the caliber and number of staff addressing the needs of separate class students. It is imperative that students receive a free and appropriate public education in their least restrictive environment designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, independent living, and post-secondary education. Providing ESE students, 15% of the district student population, with appropriate support, facilitates growth and success which ultimately benefits everyone. When students receive the resources and encouragement they need to thrive in their least restrictive environment, they become more confident, capable, and engaged, creating a positive impact on the entire community. There will be opportunity for the remainder of the year and during the summer for staff to receive professional learning. Through the inclusive scheduling process, additional supports will be available for general education teachers to implement a student's Individual Education Plan ('IEP') and to provide the necessary supports for students to effectively participate in the general education classroom. District ESE staff will be providing training in March and April for schools designated as hub sites for separate classes.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
