Agenda Item
c. Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency (MRESA) and Metro East Georgia Learning Resources System (MEGLRS) Contract Approval (Not to exceed $180,000) ~ Updated 7.2.2024
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the contract renewal between MRESA and MEGLRS for the FY25 school year for an amount not to exceed $180,000.
Why: MEGLRS provides direct support to six area school systems: DeKalb, Buford City, Decatur City, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale Counties. In these systems, Metro East GLRS provides support for parents of students with disabilities, teachers of students with disabilities, as well as students with disabilities. Metro East GLRS also provides in-kind ancillary services for the remainder of the Metro area: Cobb County Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Schools, Marietta City Schools, Douglas County Schools, and Forsyth County Schools. Metro East GLRS works directly with the Directors and Executive Directors of Special Education to design and implement the Statewide Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP), Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) and Corrective Action Plans (CAP). These services are in the form of planning, professional learning, seminars, coaching, and mentoring.
MEGLRS has maintained a contract for services with MRESA for over 11 years. The need for professional learning in the supported districts has increased; therefore, the MEGLRS is seeking additional contracted services provided by MRESA to meet the need. The federal funds provided to MEGLRS by the Georgia Department of Education will allow Districts to support the provision of services to special education staff and students.
Details: MRESA is a state agency which provides professional development throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta Area through shared resources. MEGLRS is a part of a network of 17 regional programs that provide training and resources to school district personnel, parents of students with disabilities, and other interested individuals to support the achievement, graduation rate, and post-secondary success of students with disabilities. The MEGLRS network is funded by the Georgia Department of Education, Divisions for Special Education Services and Supports, and are operated in collaboration with Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESA’s) or a local school district that serves as a fiscal agent. MEGLRS is funded entirely with federal discretionary funds made available by the state through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). There is an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) between the Georgia Department of Education and DeKalb County School District (DCSD) in which DCSD serves as the fiscal agent for MEGLRS.
Under this agreement, on an as needed basis, MRESA will provide MEGLRS with the following professional services in accordance with the assurances and activities described in the MEGLRS Grant Application:
Two part time New Teacher Induction Specialists to provide professional learning and coaching for special education teachers with 1-3 years of service.
One part time Project Facilitator to design and provide professional learning to general and special education teachers and administrators regarding identified areas of need which could include such topics as the implementation of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), improving post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities, and increasing the achievement and graduation rate of students with disabilities.
One Contractor to provide a single event, the Spring Legal Conference where special education administrators are provided updates on case law that is relevant to the implementation of IDEA.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the following topics were addressed by the existing New Teacher Induction Specialist and the Project Facilitators
New Teacher Induction - New Teacher Coaching Support
Social Emotional High Leverage Practices - Train the Trainer model
Check and Connect
Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans
Mindset
Behavior Support
Understanding the Autistic Child
Structured Literacy
De-escalation Strategies for Paraprofessionals
Based on current requests for training in the metro districts, in addition to the above topics, the following trainings will be added for the 2024-2025 school year:
Increased New Teacher Coaching Support
Specially Designed Instruction - Train the Trainer model
Understanding the Psychological Evaluation
AI in the Classroom
AI Tools for Teachers
Restorative Practices
Structured Literacy
Financial impact: The contracted amount of $180,000 will be paid to MRESA by MEGLRS using funds allocated through 530.2210.530000.05721.7340.2712.8010.094.2024. As the fiscal agent for MEGLRS, the DeKalb County School District will be compensated through payments by the Georgia Department of Education upon submission of documented allowable disbursements, plus documentation of completion of specific performance objectives.
There is no financial impact on the DeKalb County School District.
Contact: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Mrs. Kiana King, Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1809
Ms. Terri Jenkins, Director, Georgia Learning Resources Center, Division of Student Services, 678-676-2413
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Reviewed and Approved by Legal