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SEPAC Budget Impact Survey: TheReality of Special Education in SPS
Somerville Public Schools is currently in the "Needs Assistance" category for special education. This determination from the state confirms what many of our families already know: the status quo is not meeting the legal standard of FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) for our students.As the district builds the FY27 budget, SEPAC is gathering anonymous stories to show the School Committee that "Level-Service" is not enough. Whether your child is thriving because of great support or struggling due to missed services, your story is the evidence we need to demand a budget that funds Disability Justice.
Basic Context
These help us identify if specific schools or age groups are being hit harder by staffing shortages and other potential patterns. This is optional.
What school does your child attend?
Somerville High School
Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center
Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School
Arthur D. Healey School
Benjamin G. Brown School
East Somerville Community School
John f. Kennedy School
West Somerville Neighborhood School
Winter Hill Community Innovation School
Next Wave
Full circle
Other
What type of setting is your child in?
*
Full Inclusion (more than 80% or more of the school day in the general education classroom)
Partial Inclusion (21% to 60% of the day student receives special education services outside the general education classroom
Substantially Separate/Specialized Program (AIM, SEEK, SKIP, LB/LD, etc.)
Out of District
Other
What is your child's age?
What is your child's current grade level
Success Stories (What must be protected?)
Success stories prove that specialized services, accommodations, programming, etc. work and must be protected from the budget "dilution."
Is there a specific staff member (Teacher, Para, SLP, OT, BCBA, etc.), service or program that is currently making a positive difference for your child?
If this support or position were reduced or "diluted" due to budget cuts, what would be the impact on your child's ability to access their education?
Gaps and Compliance (Evidence of "Needs Assistance")
This provides the evidence that current staffing levels do not meet baseline legal compliance.
In the last few months, has your child missed mandated IEP services (Speech, OT, PT, Counseling, Resource Room, etc.)?
Yes, frequently
Yes, occasionally
No
I'm not sure/It's hard to track
Other
If yes, what was the reason given (if any)?
Staff vacancy (position unfilled)
Staff member was absent and there was no coverage
Staff member was pulled for a meeting/testing for another student
Other
Has your child faced delays in the evaluation process (initial testing or re-evaluations)?
Yes
No
Not Applicable
10. Does your child currently have access to specialized Reading (Literacy) or Math Specialist if they require one? Mark only one oval.
Yes
No
Not applicable
Other
Disability Justice and Equity
Broadening the scope to include all disabilities and inclusion barriers
Do you feel your child is being treated as a "Full Member" of their school community? Prompt: Are they included in school-wide activities? Is the environment physically, socially and academically accessible for them?
What is the ONE thing you would tell the School Committee about the current state of support for your child?
Permission and Confidentiality
May we include your anonymized story in our "Impact Report" to the School Committee on March 11th? Mark only one oval.
Yes, you may share my comments (anonymously).
No, this is for SEPAC's internal information only.
Other
If you would like a SEPAC officer to follow up with you regarding a specific crisis or concern, please leave your email address here:
example@example.com
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