Helping DC Charter Schools Develop High-Quality Special Education Programs
The Co-operative provides TA to help charter schools improve their special education programs and comply with federal special education regulations. TA resources include an electronic listserv, a weekly e-newsletter, a help line, and a website. Co-operative staff also provide consultation to special education teachers and charter school leaders through site visits.
The Co-operative provides professional development services to special education teachers and general educators independently and in collaboration with DC Public Schools and other local and national special education experts. Training topics include program development, staffing, legal issues, navigating federal regulations, and communicating with parents of students with disabilities. Each August, The Co-operative sponsors and leads a full-day special education conference for general and special educators in the District's charter schools.
The Co-operative works to develop good working relationships with personnel at DC Public Schools to facilitate information sharing and service delivery to special education programs in charter schools. The Co-operative ensures that charter schools are represented in policy discussions and that the District's charters have access to professional development, funding and other opportunities that are available to DCPS.