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Hingham Public Schools Mission Statement
The mission of the Hingham Public Schools is to provide challenging and comprehensive educational programs in a safe and supportive environment, enabling all students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for success as local and global citizens.
Core Beliefs
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Fulfillment of Individual Potential
Respect for Self and Others
Civic Responsibility
Commitment to Life-Long Learning
Service to Others
In partnership with families and the community, the HPS strives to develop in students:
- academic excellence, including content knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and problem solving capacity
- habits of physical and emotional well-being, including a spirit of self-worth, resiliency, and adaptability
- personal responsibility, integrity, and active citizenship
- responsibility for the environment
- skillful and responsible use of technology
- respect for the diverse views and backgrounds of others
- collaborative engagement as a means of both learning and problem solving
- intellectual curiosity that motivates future learning
- creative expression through the fine, performing, and applied arts
5 Pillars of Continuous Improvement in Special Education
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- Pillar I: Programmatic Assessment, Development, and Improvement
- Pillar II: Professional Development
- Pillar III: Community Outreach and Family Engagement
- Pillar IV: Strategic Partnerships
- Pillar V: Research and Development
Pillar I: Programmatic Assessment, Development, and Improvement
Ongoing review of programs offered in Hingham Public Schools and, where needed, implement reform to ensure alignment with department and district goals.
- Revise and Publish HPS Special Education Procedures Manual
- Paraeducators (assignment, use, training)
- IEP writing
- Provision of Support to students with Emotional/Behavioral challenges (e.g., role of School Adjustment Counselors)
- Intensive Skills Programs
Pillar II: Professional Development
Develop and implement a multi-year professional development plan, aligned with the HPS Professional Development Plan, to ensure continuity of programs, services, and core instructional methods.
- Training on revised Procedural Policies and Practices
- Instruction: Long Term; Evidence-Based Practices
- New Special Education Teacher Induction: “Boot Camp”
- Mentoring Program
- Regular Education: Inclusive Practices, Curriculum Access, Grading
- Middle School Focus Group: Quality of T&L, Course Offerings
Pillar III: Community Outreach and Family Engagement
Work to sustain collaborative relationships with community organizations/institutions and launch a focused plan to increase family engagement in the Special Education process.
- SEPAC
- Student Services Website
- Community Presentations
- SNAP
Pillar IV: Strategic Partnerships
Work to strengthen collaborative partnerships with local, state, and national organizations/institutions to enable strategic partnerships and targeted support.
- Hingham Public Schools Tiered Systems of Support (HTSS)
- University and Colleges
- Organizations
- Schools
Pillar V: Research and Development
Establish an internal procedure to research and develop evidenced-based practices focused on improving student performance and outcomes.
- Paraeducators
- General Benchmarking & Curriculum Assessments
- Academic Tiered Systems of Academic Support
- Specialized Reading Instruction
- Secondary: Level IV Classrooms
2016-2017 Focus Areas
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT:
- Strengthen Intensive Skills Program PK-12+
- Emotional/behavioral support
- Targeted IEP improvement
DESE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW:
- Readying for self-study 2017
- Program and procedures manual
- Website
OTHER:
- Ongoing work with families and students around transitions
- Ongoing parental feedback regarding the special education and team process
- Budget