April 8, 2015 at 8:00 AM - Special Population Committee Meeting

Discussion:  Call to order at 8:00 AM

Discussion:  Met with Dean Folkers regarding how the AAP and SRS websites will fit into the larger NDE Data Dashboard project. Connecting to this system is now one of our highest priorities. Dean Folkers advised us to wait until the Nebraska Education Data Standard (NEDS) is completed before we begin work on this project.

Discussion:  Marjorie Bisbee is in the process of updating the code for all of the pages with forms. This is an on going process and will continue for several more months. Updated code will improve stability and security of site. Small design changes are being made as well.

Discussion:  SRS Advisory Board was held on March 19th. A 10% one-time fee increase was approved. New priority list: Update NSSRS Reporting System, add ability to search by Student Disability, add multiple text boxes for parent/guardian phone numbers, add additional text boxes to address how services will be provided with Regular Education Peers, Special Education with Regular Education Peers, and Special Education without Regular Education Peers, convert Parent/Guardian Screen to Zend Framework, convert Student Teams Screen to Zend Framework Soliant was informed about new Systems Analyst on March 26. Soliant took the news very well, and agreed to help in the transition process as follows: provide an extended training for Mike in Chicago once he officially starts, add comments/documentation to the SRS code to describe what the code is doing, provide data dictionary so that Mike will know where data is located on the database Mike will meet with Jesse From Soliant on April 9th for an initial Q+A We have developed a new testing system for the NSSRS Reports. This will help us identify NSSRS data problems early and hopefully fix them before them become a problem Systems Analyst Transition: Met with Mike Danahy, Scott Issacson, and Dave Ludwig to discuss Mike’s Transition to SRS. Provided a short demonstration of the SRS site. Talked about the technology used in SRS and how the overall system is set up. Provided Mike with access to SRS code. Discussed having Wade Fruhling learn programming skills to help support Mike and improve his overall understanding of the system

Discussion:  Wade Fruhling reviewed the SRS mission and vision with his advisory board and the Special Populations committee. ESPD Affiliate review the mission and vision as well.

Discussion:  Mike Danahy begin July 1, 2015. Training/consultation with Soliant in Oregon two days (Mike is flying on his own for personal reasons and coordinated efforts for this visit are in progress.) Meetings have been/will continue with David Ludwig, Scott Isaacson, Wade Fruhling, and Mike Danahy regarding code. Meetings with the SRS Advisory Committee with Mike Danahy will be scheduled. SRS Code will be provided to Mike this spring. Coordinated efforts with Attorney, Steve Williams are in place for transition of code and services. Discussion with the IliniCloud regarding potential partnerships will be scheduled.

Discussion:  Executive Director continues to have discussion regarding Medicaid.

Discussion:  Committee Chair and Executive Director had the opportunity to see a demo from EdLogix regarding Special Education Assessment and Report Information System (SEARIS). What other features could be of value to our SRS system.

Discussion:  NDE has approved a partnership with an extension to PEP Grant with ESU 16 through ESUCC to offer another IEP Facilitation Training. June 2-4, 2015 will be the next IEP Facilitation training. June 5, 2015 will be an advanced/refresher training for those who have already been trained in IEP Facilitation. Recommend that PEP (Parents Encouraging Parents) be run through ESUCC vs ESU 16.

Discussion:  Future...create a resolution to Soliant to thank them for their service over the past years. Vote on Mission/Vision Review SEARIS IEP Faciliatation PEP Grant - Chair Marge Beatty would like Larianne Polk to become the Committee Chair.