Agenda Item
a. Department of Exceptional Education ~ Departmental Presentation
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Contact: Presented by: Dr. Norman Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Department of
Exceptional Education
Superintendent’s Committee of the Whole
March 10, 2025
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III
Chief of Student Services 1
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Department of Exceptional Education Direct School Supports
Since Start of the School Year (as of 3/4/25)
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Graduation Rate Data
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Five Year Graduation Rate
Students with Disabilities
12.7% Grad Rate Increase for SWDs Over Last 5 Years
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What services and supports do
we provide?
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School Psychology Updates:
• Completion of on time initial psychological evaluations
is up to 91% for SY25
• Small group, individual counseling and crisis support
• Ensure fidelity of interventions and collection of data
• Individualized instruction and interventions support
• Recruitment efforts for School Psychs to DCSD:
o Hired 11 new Schools Psychs in SY25
o Partnership established with Georgia State
University's (GSU) School Psychology program
creating a pathway for ensuring future school
psychologists with the district- grad school tuition
for School Psych practicum students with DCSD –
via USDOE grant
o Paid internship for GSU graduate students with
DCSD
Psychological Services 7
• Children ages 3 and 4 with suspected disabilities are evaluated
through the Diagnostics program
• 100% compliant with initial evaluation timelines for children
transitioning from the Babies Can’t Wait Program to the DeKalb
County School District!
Special • SY 23-24: 661 students evaluated
• SY 24-25: To date, 431 students evaluated (February 2025)
Education • ** Currently, DCSD offers 151 traditional PK3/PK4 classes and 63
special education PK3/PK4/Kindergarten classes
Pre-school Age and Model Age 3 Age 4 Kindergarten
Program of Instruction
Consultative 83 64 N/A
and Community
Co-Teaching 28 72 N/A
Self-Contained 228 217 270
Total Students 339 353 270
Served: 962
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Required Service Number of Students Served
Students Speech/Language 5,635
Receiving Occupational Therapy 775
Speech and Transportation 2,117
Related Assistive Technology 9,723
Services Physical Therapy 247
Nursing 380
Audiology 127
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Pillars of Therapeutic Support
(Specialized Environments)
• Shadow Rock Center- Grades K-5 (15 students)
• Eagle Woods Academy- Grades 6-12 (37 students)
• 6 Transition Sites (McClendon ES, Chamblee MS
Chamblee HS, Cedar Grove MS, Southwest DeKalb HS,
and Warren Technical school
• Academic and Therapeutic support based on students’
Individualized Education Plans.
• Wraparound services
• GNETS Strategic Plan
• Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS)
• Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Support (GaMTSS)
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Serves DeKalb County School District, Rockdale County
Schools and City Schools of Decatur.
Georgia Network of Educational and
Therapeutic Supports 10
Section 504 and the Hospital Homebound Program
• DCSD supports approximately 5,200 general education
students with disabilities through a 504 plan to ensure equity
and access to educational programming
• Supports include various school and classroom
accommodations such as extended time for classwork or
assessments, access to monitored breaks, preferential seating
(near the source of instruction), additional transition time to
class, copy of notes, etc.
• Services provided include Special Transportation,
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Assistive Technology,
nursing, and support from a Childcare Technician (CCT).
• The DCSD Hospital Homebound (HHB) Program supports
approximately 200 students with excessive absences due to a
documented medical or psychological impairment totaling
more than 10 days.
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High-Level Overview of Section 504
Data (SY25)
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Special Education
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Special Improve academic
Education outcomes through
implementation of Specially
Priorities Designed Instructon Effective professional
development
Attract and retain Reduce
high quality dispute resolution
special education cases
staff
Increase positive Evaluate students
and proactive in a timely
communication manner
with families
Improve discipline
practices for SWDs
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Students with Disabilities
Totals may
not equal
100 due to
rounding
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Students with Disabilities
Totals may
not equal
100 due to
rounding
16
Totals may
not equal
100 due to
rounding
17
Totals may
not equal
100 due to
rounding
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Specialized Supports to improve educational outcomes
19
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● Curriculum and SDI training and
support for all LTSEs
● Enhance special education teacher
understanding of standards aligned
with SDI
● Ensure integration of literacy
initiatives into PL
● Intentional and focused support for all
17 federally identified schools
● Implementation of the Wilson Reading
System within ATSI schools
● Abundant Professional Learning
opportunities for all teachers
● Weekly collaboration with the Horizon
Area team for ATSI/TSI designated
schools
● Monthly collaboration with all Area
● Special Education
Continual Content Coordinators
review/analysis of MAP,
achievement, and other
student/school data and
development of school action and
support plans - at the SWD subgroup
level and school level 21
Wilson Reading System
SWD Students SWD Students SWD Students Number of Number of
Fall '24 MAP Winter '25 MAP Mean RIT ATSI Schools Teachers Students
Mean RIT Score Mean RT Score Score Increase Implementing Receiving WRS
Support
166.3 176.2 9.9-point RIT
score increase Browns Mill 4 13
Hightower 3 16
Snapfinger 4 7
Wilson Reading System (WRS)
• Structured Literacy program based on phonological- Murphey Candler 3 12
coding research and Orton-Gillingham principles Stoneview 3 9
• Each student experiences 30-40 minutes, 4-5 times Rock Chapel 3 9
per week Lithonia HS 1 6
Literacy Instruction Components: ML King HS 2 22
• Understanding Language Concepts Total 23 94
• Word Identification Accuracy and Spelling
• Vocabulary Development
• Word Fluency
• Reading Comprehension 22
Professional Development and Parent engagement
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Professional Development Participation and Survey Results
August 2024 – February 2025 Survey Results
208-Professional Learning Opportunities Offered
Audience
Special Education Teachers
Paraprofessionals
Lead Teachers for Special Education (LTSEs)
504 Chairs
School Psychologists
MTSS chairs, school leaders
10,890
Exceptional Education Professional Development Attendees
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Special OPs!
Celebrating the Success of Special Opportunity Informational Sessions –
Special OPS!
We are thrilled to highlight the incredible turnout and impact of our Virtual
Informational Sessions designed for School Administration, Teachers, LTSEs, and
Paraprofessionals, focusing on Special Education Policy and Procedures!
Session Highlights:
• Virtual After School Session 1: Free and Appropriate Public Education
(November 12, 2025)
• Virtual After School Session 2: Taking the Dispute Out of Dispute Resolution
featuring special guest Mrs. Jamilla Pollard, Esq., Senior Program
Manager/Legal Officer, Georgia Department of Education (February 6, 2025)
• Outstanding Participation: Over 217 DCSD personnel in attendance,
demonstrating a strong commitment to professional growth and student
success!
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Parent Education, Empowerment, Resources and
Support (PEERS)
Exceptional Education Highlights – Celebrating Success and
Engagement!
Exceptional Education Monthly Digital Parent Newsletter
We’re proud to announce the success of our dynamic newsletter,
designed to keep families of students with disabilities informed and
empowered!
• Featuring departments, events, and resources to support our
community
• Comprehensive content creation, marketing, translations, and
approvals
• Launched: October 2024
• Published, translated, and shared with parents of students with
disabilities via email and the District's Exceptional Education
Website
• Goal: 8 issues for the 2024-2025 school year – 4 issues published
and counting! 26
P.E.E.R.S Parent Engagement
A resounding success with 591 parents participating in our
PEERS sessions this year
• To date, 5 P.E.E.R.S sessions have been held (October 22,
November 19, December 3, January 30, and February 27)
• Essential topics are covered such as Transition Services &
Supports, Section 504, and Technical Colleges
• Fosters strong family engagement and empowers parents
by providing vital information to increase awareness
Exceptional Education Transition Fair
focused on parent's receiving resources on transitional
services. 43 vendors are registered to attend!
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Thank you
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