SOCSD preparing coronavirus response for special needs students
All Mississippi public schools have been mandated to remain closed until April 17 and the Mississippi Department of Education has issued a statement on services offered to special needs students as the threat of the coronavirus persists.
The MDE guidelines were released Wednesday afternoon, with the Starkville-oktibbeha Consolidated School District releasing its own informational video on Thursday afternoon.
SOCSD Director of Student Support Services Julie Jones said the district would continue to provide services to its students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPS), and those who fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) once school resumed.
“If students have IEPS, they will receive services,” Jones said. “What the (Mississippi Department of Education) said, what the U.S. Department of Education said that if schools were closed down, and they weren’t providing services to the general population, they didn’t have to provide any IDEA or IEP, but as soon as the district starts providing services to the general population, that population will receive services as well.”
She said the services could return, as it has become clear that students will be out of school for a longer period of time.
“Teachers have been coming together trying to figure out ‘OK, what can we use,’” Jones said. “There are some apps and websites to get remedial services in for those students who struggle with reading, and then we’ve talked about what to do with kids who don’t have access to internet or other smart devices, so our teachers will be touching base with all of our students to determine what access they have to the internet, if any, and what’s best to communicate with that parent.”
She said the current situation would also require an amendment to every IEP in the district.
“It means we’ll be touching base with every parent, saying ‘these are the changes that we’re going to have to do while the schools are closing,’ and talk to the parent and get input on what’s going to work best for that child,” Jones said. “Some kids may be able to get on an app and do an assignment, and some kids may be able to get on another app and o a video chat with their teacher.”
However, even with the accommodations being made, Jones said there would be no substitute for the child being in a school classroom. She also said in some cases, the district might have to get a physical packet of information to a student, as opposed to digital.
“We want to get as much attention and individualized instruction as we can, without risking the health of our students and without risking the health of our faculty and staff,” Jones said. “We are going to have to heavily utilize technology and telephones through this, but we’re working really hard to come up with a solid plan that will work the best it can for everyone.”
For more information, Jones can be reached at jjones@ starkvillesd.com. The informational video can be accessed on the district’s social media profiles.