Score: 0
(1/32/1)
Marin County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
To Learn or Not to Learn:
Published: June 06, 2024
17 pages
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child’s development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Many school districts do not have sufficient information on their website to inform parents and guardians of their rights under federal and state laws to have their children assessed to determine whether they are entitled to special education services.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should inform parents and guardians at least annually about special education services and resources available to their students, such as Matrix and the Special Education Local Plan Area.
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should develop and implement targeted communication strategies tailored to all parents and guardians regarding their student’s rights concerning learning differences.
F3
Each school district should have information on its website describing the services available for students with learning differences.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Many school districts do not use the Special Education Information System to track whether the district has provided the service hours required by Individualized Education Programs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student’s Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student.
F6
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students’ Individualized Education Programs.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student’s Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student.
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
The Marin County Office of Education should analyze each school district’s Individualized Education Programs compliance data and make the results available to the public in its annual report.
F7
The co-teaching method can reduce the negative connotations of a special education class by including the resource specialist in the general education classroom to assist students with learning differences.
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 5
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
▶
Lagunitas School District Board of Trustees[PDF]
August 26, 2024
•
78 pages
• 12 responses
•
Score: 0
(+0, 12, 0)
View Details ▾
12 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Some Marin public schools do not comply with the “free public education” law because they ask students or their families to bring supplies to school.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child's development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences. Response: Partially Agree The Lagunitas School District agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with Lagunitas School District parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute educatio...
R1
All Marin public schools should follow California’s “free public education” law.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child's development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences. Response: Partially Agree The Lagunitas School District agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with Lagunitas School District parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute educatio...
F2
Schools may not circumvent the “free public education” law by offering families any kind of waiver or exemption option.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree At the time the Grand Jury Report, To Learn or Not to Learn: Are Children with Learning Differences Set Up for Success?, was released, the Lagunitas School District did not have information about special education available on their website. With that said, there are currently no statutes, federal or state, that require school districts to post information on their website to inform parents/guardians of their rights under federal and/or state laws related to having their children assessed to determine special education eligibility. Although the Lagunitas School District website...
R2
Marin public schools should provide, at no cost to the student or their families, all the supplies, materials, and equipment necessary for students to fully participate at school.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented This recommendation has been implemented. The Lagunitas School District is currently using a variety of targeted communication methods with parents/guardians, including emails, website postings, phone calls, and in-person conferences.
R3:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student's Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student. Response: The recommendation has been implemented The Lagunitas School District is using the Specia...
F3
Some Marin public schools distribute supply lists to families that indicate the family can seek a waiver or become exempt from bringing supplies in some specified way.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree All parents/guardians should know what services are available to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is first accomplished by the Marin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) developing and adopting an annual special education service plan consistent with California Education Code 56205(b)(2). The plan (see attached Marin County SELPA 2024-2025 Service Plan) includes a description of special education services to be provided by the Lagunitas School District, including the nature of the services and the physical...
R3
Marin public schools should not distribute school supply lists to students or their families.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented The Lagunitas School District is using the Special Education Information System (SEIS) service tracking module and has effectively maintained the necessary information to track Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery. The Lagunitas School District has ensured all service providers understand their obligation to deliver services in accordance with each student's agreed upon IEP.
R4:
The Marin County Office of Education should analyze each school district's Individualized Education Programs compliance data and make the results available t...
F4
Some Marin public schools distribute supply lists to families that are labeled “optional.”
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree The Special Education Information System (SEIS) is a valuable tool that supports the Lagunitas School District with online access to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), manage special education data, submit California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) reports, and track Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery. However, there are no findings in the report that suggest that the use of SEIS specifically or exclusively is connected to an increase in the effective administration of IEPs, or in student success.
F5:
Many school distri...
R4
Marin public schools should not distribute school supply lists that indicate the supplies are optional.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their
Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students. Response: Partially Agree The Special Education Information System (SEIS) is a valuable tool that supports the Lagunitas School District with online access to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), manage special education data, submit California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (...
F5
Teachers often spend their personal funds to provide supplies, materials, or equipment for students.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree
F6:
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students' Individualized Education Programs. Response: Partially Agree While digital Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery data may not be available across all school districts in Marin County, the Lagunitas School District is recording and tracking IEP service delivery on an individual student level. If a parent/guardian has a question regarding the delivery of services to their student, the parent/guardian may reques...
R5
The superintendent of each school district should ensure that the schools in their district are in compliance with California law with respect to school supplies.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Many school districts do not use the Special Education Information System to track whether the district has provided the service hours required by Individualized Education Programs. Response: Agree
F6:
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students' Individualized Education Programs. Response: Partially Agree While digital Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery data may not be available across all school districts in Marin County, the Lagunitas School District is rec...
R6
If a Marin public school chooses to solicit donations of any kind from anyone, whether the solicitation is on paper, verbal, or electronic, such as a website or email, the school should make it clear that donations are not required but rather are entirely voluntary.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students' Individualized Education Programs. Response: Partially Agree While digital Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery data may not be available across all school districts in Marin County, the Lagunitas School District is recording and tracking IEP service delivery on an individual student level. If a parent/guardian has a question regarding the delivery of services to their student, the parent/guardian may request records fr...
R7
Marin public schools should not put teachers in a position where they need to use their personal funds to provide supplies, materials, or equipment for students to fully participate at school.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The co-teaching method can reduce the negative connotations of a special education class by including the resource specialist in the general education classroom to assist students with learning differences. Response: Partially Agree Co-teaching is one method of instruction to assist students with learning differences in the general education classroom that may work to reduce any negative connotations associated with special education service delivery. RECOMMENDATIONS
R1:
Each school district should inform parents and guardians at least annually about special education services and resources ...
▶
Marin County Superintendent of Schools[PDF]
July 24, 2024
View Details ▾
No structured response data extracted yet.
View the PDF for full details.
▶
Miller Creek Elementary School District Board of Trustees[PDF]
August 23, 2024
•
83 pages
• 11 responses
•
Score: 0
(+0, 11, 0)
View Details ▾
11 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child’s development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should inform parents and guardians at least annually about special education services and resources available to their students, such as Matrix and the Special Education Local Plan Area.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child's development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences. Response: Partially Agree The Miller Creek School District agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with Miller Creek School District parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute ed...
F2
Many school districts do not have sufficient information on their website to inform parents and guardians of their rights under federal and state laws to have their children assessed to determine whether they are entitled to special education services.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should develop and implement targeted communication strategies tailored to all parents and guardians regarding their student’s rights concerning learning differences.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented This recommendation has been implemented. The Miller Creek School District is currently using a variety of targeted communication methods with parents/guardians, including emails, website postings, phone calls, and in-person conferences.
R3:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student's Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student. Response: The recommendation has been implemented The Miller Creek School District is using the ...
F3
Each school district should have information on its website describing the services available for students with learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student’s Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Partially Agree The Miller Creek School District agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with Miller Creek School District parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute educational needs that likely could not be addressed without the provision of special education support and services - and not before. The Miller Creek School District's communications with parents/guardians ty...
F4
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
The Marin County Office of Education should analyze each school district’s Individualized Education Programs compliance data and make the results available to the public in its annual report.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students. Response: Partially Agree The Special Education Information System (SEIS) is a valuable tool that supports the Miller Creek School District with online access to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), manage special education data, submit California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System...
F5
Many school districts do not use the Special Education Information System to track whether the district has provided the service hours required by Individualized Education Programs.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
F6
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students’ Individualized Education Programs.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
F7
The co-teaching method can reduce the negative connotations of a special education class by including the resource specialist in the general education classroom to assist students with learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree with the findings numbered: F5
Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F1, F2, F3, F4, F6 & F7
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations numbered R1- R3 have been implemented.
▶
San Rafael City Schools Board of Education[PDF]
May 09, 2022
•
231 pages
View Details ▾
No structured response data extracted yet.
View the PDF for full details.
▶
Tamalpais Union High School District Board of Trustees[PDF]
August 30, 2024
•
74 pages
• 11 responses
•
Score: 0
(+1, 9, -1)
View Details ▾
11 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child’s development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child's development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences. Response: Partially Agree The Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with TUHSD's parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute educati...
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should inform parents and guardians at least annually about special education services and resources available to their students, such as Matrix and the Special Education Local Plan Area.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
Communication with parents and guardians regarding special education services and resources at every child's development stage is critical to identifying whether children have learning differences. Response: Partially Agree The Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) agrees that communication with parents regarding the provision of special education services is critical; however, the initial communication with TUHSD's parents/guardians regarding special education services takes place when all general education interventions have been exhausted or the student is demonstrating acute educati...
F2
Many school districts do not have sufficient information on their website to inform parents and guardians of their rights under federal and state laws to have their children assessed to determine whether they are entitled to special education services.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree At the time the Grand Jury Report, To Learn or Not to Learn: Are Children with Learning Differences Set Up for Success?, was released, the Tamalpais Union High School District did have information about special education available on our website (see https://www.tamdistrict.org/academics/special-education). With that said, there are currently no statutes, federal or state, that require school districts to post information on their website to inform parents/guardians of their rights under federal and/or state laws related to having their children assessed to determine special ed...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should develop and implement targeted communication strategies tailored to all parents and guardians regarding their student’s rights concerning learning differences.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented This recommendation has been implemented. The TUHSD is currently using a variety of targeted communication methods with parents/guardians, including emails, website postings, phone calls, and in-person conferences.
R3:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student's Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented The TUHSD is currently utilizing a system to effectively maintain ...
F3
Each school district should have information on its website describing the services available for students with learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree All parents/guardians should know what services are available to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is first accomplished by the Marin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) developing and adopting an annual special education service plan consistent with California Education Code 56205(b)(2). The plan (see attached Marin County SELPA 2024-2025 Service Plan) includes a description of special education services to be provided by the Tamalpais Union High School District, including the nature of the services and t...
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
Each school district should use the Special Education Information System service tracking module to track every student’s Individualized Education Programs allocated service hours and the hours provided to each student.
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented The TUHSD is currently utilizing a system to effectively maintain the necessary information to track IEP service delivery at no additional cost to the district. TUHSD has ensured all service providers understand their obligation to deliver services in accordance with each student's agreed-upon IEP. The service tracking system is actively and effectively working to meet all the current service tracking requirements identified by the California Department of Education (see attached). Additionally, the service tracking system is directly connected to oth...
F4
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Partially Agree The Special Education Information System (SEIS) is a valuable tool that supports the TUHSD with online access to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), manage special education data, submit California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) reports, and track Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery. However, there are no findings in the report that suggest that the use of SEIS specifically or exclusively is connected to an increase in the effective administration of IEPs, or in student success.
F5:
Many school districts do not use the S...
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the following be undertaken by December 31, 2024:
The Marin County Office of Education should analyze each school district’s Individualized Education Programs compliance data and make the results available to the public in its annual report.
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 15 days
Score: 0
The Special Education Information System is a valuable tool that, when used consistently, will increase the likelihood that students with learning differences will have their Individualized Education Programs effectively administered, thereby increasing the chances of success for those students.
Response: Partially Agree The Special Education Information System (SEIS) is a valuable tool that supports the TUHSD with online access to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), manage special education data, submit California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) reports, an...
F5
Many school districts do not use the Special Education Information System to track whether the district has provided the service hours required by Individualized Education Programs.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree
F6:
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students' Individualized Education Programs. Response: Partially Agree While digital Individualized Education Program (IEP) service delivery data may not be available across all school districts in Marin County, the TUHSD is recording and tracking IEP service delivery on an individual student level. If a parent/guardian has a question regarding the delivery of services to their student, the parent/guardian may request records from the T...
F6
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students’ Individualized Education Programs.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree
F6:
Data is not available electronically in Marin school districts to ascertain whether the districts are providing the service hours required by their students' Individualized Education Programs.
F7
The co-teaching method can reduce the negative connotations of a special education class by including the resource specialist in the general education classroom to assist students with learning differences.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The co-teaching method can reduce the negative connotations of a special education class by including the resource specialist in the general education classroom to assist students with learning differences. Response: Partially Agree Co-teaching is one method of instruction to assist students with learning differences in the general education classroom that may work to reduce any negative connotations associated with special education service delivery. RECOMMENDATIONS
R1:
Each school district should inform parents and guardians at least annually about special education services and resources ...
No Responses Found 11
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
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