Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Unlocking Success: Minnesota's Plan to Boost Graduation Rates for Students with Disabilities

Unlocking Success: Minnesota\'s Plan to Boost Graduation Rates for Students with Disabilities

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, ensuring that all students, especially those with disabilities, achieve their full potential is paramount. Minnesota's Part B Statewide Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Evaluation, set for January 25, 2024, offers a comprehensive approach to improving graduation rates for American Indian/Alaska Native and Black/African American students with disabilities. This blog will break down the plan and highlight its key elements, making it easy to understand and follow.

Goal 1: Improving Graduation Rates

The primary goal of the SSIP is to enhance the 6-year graduation rate for American Indian/Alaska Native and Black/African American students with disabilities. This goal is pivotal for creating a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.

Evaluation Question 1.1: Implementation Fidelity

One of the first steps in achieving this goal is ensuring that evidence-based practices are implemented with fidelity. The plan includes several data sources to monitor and evaluate the implementation:

Evaluation Question 1.2: Student Engagement and Outcomes

Another critical aspect is evaluating whether the Check & Connect program is functioning as intended. This involves assessing student engagement, attendance, disciplinary referrals, and academic progress. Key data sources include:

Evaluation Question 1.3: Graduation Rates

Finally, the plan monitors the 6-year graduation rates for American Indian/Alaska Native and Black/African American students. LEAs submit graduation data annually, which is then analyzed to measure progress.

Goal 2: Building District Capacity

The second goal focuses on improving the capacity of partner districts to implement and scale up evidence-based practices. This involves several evaluation questions and data sources:

Evaluation Question 2.1: Implementation Levels

Understanding the current level of implementation is crucial. The Student-Mentor Scaling Report tracks the number of students and mentors involved in the program, helping to identify capacity issues and areas for improvement.

Evaluation Question 2.2: District Capacity

The District Capacity Assessment measures the district's ability to implement evidence-based practices effectively. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of leadership, competency, and organizational capacity.

Evaluation Question 2.3: Staff Knowledge and Skills

Focus groups and district visit summaries provide insights into the knowledge and skills of LEA staff regarding Active Implementation Frameworks. This helps identify areas where additional support or training may be needed.

Goal 3: Enhancing State Support

The final goal is to improve the state's capacity to support districts in implementing evidence-based practices. The Regional Capacity Assessment evaluates the state's ability to provide the necessary leadership, competency, and organizational support.

Conclusion

Minnesota's Part B Statewide Systemic Improvement Plan is a robust and comprehensive approach to improving graduation rates for students with disabilities. By focusing on implementation fidelity, student engagement, and building district and state capacity, the plan aims to create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.

For more information, please follow this link.

Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP