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
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
- 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