This past Monday, the Sacramento City Unified School District organized a recruitment event to attract qualified special education teachers and classroom aides. The district aims to hire 270 individuals for these roles before the start of the academic year.
It’s a timely move, as the district has recently faced a string of public criticisms regarding its special education program. The state’s Department of Education wrote a letter addressing concerns, a lawsuit was also settled with the Black Parallel School Board, and a grand jury report highlighted several shortcomings within the program.
State’s Department of Education reprimanded the district.
The report emphasized that the district remains inadequate in supporting its most disadvantaged students. Furthermore, the state’s Department of Education reprimanded the district for failing to meet federal and state laws pertaining to disability education and also noted their lack of response to multiple requests for necessary documentation regarding their special education program.
The grand jury report outlined essential recommendations, including implementing a comprehensive special education plan by February, enhancing their initial assessments for early intervention, actively reducing the disproportionate number of students from minority backgrounds enrolled in special education programs, and enforcing mandatory professional development for teachers.
Teacher training to improve the overall efficacy
Special education administrators Krystal Thomas and Geovanni Linares have previously emphasized the importance of increased teacher training to improve the program’s overall efficacy. As such, the district must take swift and decisive action to address these areas to ensure compliance with legal requirements and provide effective support for all students in need of special education services.
District spokesperson Al Goldberg has confirmed that the district is committed to implementing staff training initiatives based on the action plan created and that further development of training programs is underway.
Autism is among the most common issues that require special education services, with an estimated 1 in 36 children being diagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In light of the district’s efforts to improve its special education program, it must also address the needs of students with autism.
One tested approach for assisting individuals with autism is ABA therapy, which involves using evidence-based techniques to teach new skills and reduce problematic behaviors. ABA therapy has been shown to greatly improve outcomes for individuals with autism, making it a crucial aspect of any comprehensive special education program.
Autism Treatment and Support in Sacramento, CA
We at Sacramento ABA recognize that much work remains to improve the lives of special needs children and better support them in their educational journey. That is why we are committed to providing top-quality ABA therapy services tailored to each student’s individual needs.
Our team of highly trained and experienced behavior analysts works closely with families and school districts to develop individualized treatment plans that address each child’s unique challenges and strengths.
