RESOURCES
Special Education Leadership
in the Age of Accountability
Dr. Sheila Bailey, Hopewell
City Schools
I would like to start my first President’s Pen with a statement that expresses my
gratitude for your confidence in honoring me with the position I will hold for the
next two years-
As we embark upon a new school year with the return of both teachers and students, among our numerous challenges will be the provision and maintenance of services to students required by their Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) in an atmosphere of diminishing budgets and increasing standards. How, realistically, do we maintain compliance and support progress towards higher standards when we are charged to do more with fewer resources. Coupled with the dramatically reduced resources, as we approach the end of the availability of ARRA funding, are the ongoing issues surrounding decisions that may support the ability to meet deadlines in a timely and efficient manner, but may not be good for children.
While I will not pretend to hold all of the solutions to the challenges that impact each of us, I do believe that continued involvement both individually and collectively through professional organizations such as VCASE, lends support and credibility to our mission. When changes are being considered and ultimately decisions made that will impact our work and the students, families, and staff that we serve, it is vital that we consider voicing our support and/or concerns. Awareness, understanding, and involvement have become essential to maintaining the integrity of our profession.
There are numerous vehicles by which our voices can be heard given the varying technologies at our disposal. Email, Facebook, and Twitter are part of today’s communication landscape. Regardless of our personal opinions regarding their use, each can be effective in offering our professional perspective. Even a phone call and/or snail mail still work!
I look forward to the work and collaboration that lies ahead. Have a wonderful start
of the 2011-
Dr. Sheila Bailey is the Director of Special Education for
Hopewell City Public Schools
and President of VCASE.