A high school special education initiative: The development of an improvement and evaluation plan

This dissertation project was developed in response to a Virginia public school division board directive to develop an initiative to ensure successful educational outcomes for high school students with disabilities through improved instruction and services. It is a program evaluation and improvement plan to address current issues critical to successful outcomes for students with disabilities. Seven specific goals for the special education high school initiative will be targeted: (a) improve instruction for self-contained students identified as having a learning disability (LD), emotional disturbance (ED), or mental retardation (MR); (b) increase Standards of Learning (SOL) and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) participation and scores; (c) develop individualized alternative education plans; (d) improve transition planning and services; (e) increase graduation rates; (f) decrease dropout rates; and (g) increase parent/educator/community collaboration. The methodology used in the development of this project was based on the continuous improvement model currently utilized by the local school division and included (a) a review of the literature to examine current best practices for high school special education instruction/transition services, (b) the development of strategies and timelines specific to each goal, (c) the addition of four high school teacher specialist positions, and (d) a restructure of the central special education department The plan is based on the principles of current best practices in the field of secondary special education and is aligned with Virginia's Special Education State Improvement Plan.