Special-education department back in compliance with state

After being ruled non-compliant in 2006-2007 by the Arizona Department of Education, the Maricopa Unified School District’s special-education department developed a corrective plan to satisfy the requests of the state.

Now two years later, all of those goals outlined in that plan are complete.

“I am proud to say that we are back in compliance,” said district Superintendent John Flores.

One of the main steps that helped bring the district back into compliance was an eight-week training program developed and implemented in the spring of 2008.

“This program gave our staff comprehensive information on the requirements of the students and informed them how to perform all aspects of their job correctly,” said Amanda Buda, director of the special-education department.

The training program it will remain in place to instruct new teachers as they come aboard.

“We cannot be come complacent now that we have achieved compliance,” Buda said.

The state typically inspects educational facilities once every eight years, but state leaders are looking at shortening up the time between those inspections, Buda said.

“They are going to keep a close eye on us since we just got back in compliance,” she added.

To continue to improve the performance of her department and ensure continued success, Buda said that it is key to keep teachers trained and informed on the needs of the incoming children.

“This next year we have 55 incoming special-needs children and we are already setting up a meeting between the parents of these children and staff,” Buda said.

Photo by Michael K. Rich