I hope you have all enjoyed a happy holiday season, and that this New Year will bring you, "good tidings". I want to take this opportunity to explain to you the details of the Self-Assessment Process including your involvement in that process. As you might be aware, the State Department of Education is responsible for overseeing special education programs throughout the state. The South River Department of Special Education is currently in the midst of the first step of the process, which involves a directed self-monitoring procedure designed to help districts identify areas of strength and weakness. The second step, which will take place next year for us, entails an onsite visit by the State Department of Education.
Your input is considered essential in this process. The first vehicle for that input was the Survey that you received in the mail last month. I encourage you to complete it and return it as soon as possible. If you lost it and would like another copy, please call the Office of Special Education at 613-4073 ext.7104. The second vehicle for your input will be a general public meeting that is tentatively scheduled for the end of January/beginning of February 2001. Additional information regarding the focus of this meeting as well as three specific date and time will be forthcoming.
The professional staff has been assessing whether we have been successful in implementing New Jersey Special Education Code. They will continue this process throughout the year. It is their job to identify areas of strength and weakness in our department. When this process has been completed the district will take all of the pertinent information and develop an Improvement Plan, which will be reviewed, and monitored by the State Department of Education.
At the end of this academic year I will, through the "Advocate" or in a direct mailing, inform you of essential components of that improvement plan and of their impact on the education of the your children. I want to thank you in advance for your help in this matter. I strongly believe that when we work together we can build a better future for the children of South River.