Superintendent's Special Education Council

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council meeting was led by Ms. Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal, and Dr. Emily Davis, Director of IDEA. Dr. Davis opened the session by welcoming council members and reviewing the meeting agenda and norms. She and Ms. Fairchild also shared that a guest would be presenting during the meeting: Ariana Arana, FAPE/LRE & IEP Coordinator. Dr. Davis then invited members to reflect on positive moments or experiences their children had this year and share their reflections with a partner.

During the whole-group discussion that followed, Dr. Davis asked members to consider what made those moments successful. Members highlighted the importance of strong communication between families and schools in supporting positive experiences.

Ms. Fairchild and Ms. Arana presented the LDOE “Playbook,” a guidance resource focused on special education, and discussed the range of support provided to students with disabilities throughout the year.

Next, Ms. Fairchild asked members to self-reflect on their accomplishments and points of pride from the past year and capture those thoughts on paper. Members then shared their reflections within small groups.

Members were also asked to identify one key takeaway, a question they still have, and a statement describing how their learning will support them in future IEP meetings. Each group then shared highlights from their discussion with the full council.

Superintendent Dr. James Gray addressed the council, noting the academic growth occurring across the district—including among students receiving special education services. He also recognized the district’s recent achievement as the 2026 NIET District Award of Excellence for Educator Effectiveness recipient. Dr. Gray thanked members for their ongoing feedback and opened the floor to questions.

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Ajit Pethe shared brief remarks, and Dr. Davis invited members to offer suggestions for future Special Education Council sessions.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council meeting was led by Ms. Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal, and Dr. Emily Davis, Director of IDEA. Ms. Fairchild began the meeting by reviewing the agenda and outlining the meeting norms. She then facilitated an interactive icebreaker activity in which members discussed whether the student receiving support will have the same learning goal as other students or, as a result of the support, the learning goal is different than their peers. Participants categorized various examples as either “same goal” or “different goal” and explained their reasoning.

Dr. Davis provided an overview of accommodations and modifications. She explained that accommodations change how a student learns by providing support such as extended time, large print materials, calculators, adaptive equipment (for writing, seating, or feeding), graphic organizers, breaks, transcribed or recorded answers, and preferential seating. In contrast, modifications change what a student is expected to learn and may include reduced answer choices, multiple-choice spelling tests, simplified or reworded text, and alternative projects.

Council members then participated in a small-group activity in which they reviewed mock student scenarios and identified appropriate accommodations and modifications from eSER.

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Davis encouraged members to reflect on the day’s discussion. She asked whether accommodations and modifications are clearly explained during IEP meetings and whether families truly understand what supports their children need versus what the data shows. She also invited members to share which specific tools or resources have helped them feel more confident in proposing or advocating for support, and how the IEP team can better explain the long-term impact of choosing accommodations versus modifications.

Members then completed a meeting evaluation and reflected on what worked well and what could be improved for future meetings. They shared their feedback and suggestions for next time.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council meeting was led by Ms. Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal, and Dr. Emily Davis, Director of IDEA. Ms. Fairchild reviewed the meeting agenda and discussed meeting norms, council roles and expectations, and future council meeting dates.

Council members then participated in an interactive team-building activity focused on the continuum of knowledge. This was followed by an open discussion on district policies, readability laws, parent handbooks provided during IEP meetings, and families’ experiences supporting their students and children.

Ms. Fairchild then presented an overview of the policy's purpose, highlighting key areas: ensuring student safety and well-being, protecting student dignity and rights, using evidence-based positive behavior supports, and aligning practices with federal and state laws.

During the presentation, members reviewed the definition of a behavioral crisis and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI). Ms. Fairchild shared that, so far this school year, over 600 teachers and paraprofessionals have received CPI training focused on prevention and de-escalation strategies. The presentation also emphasized the importance of behavior intervention plans and IEPs, as well as the value of collaboration among schools, families, and the district to best support students.

To wrap up this portion of the meeting, members participated in open discussion whereas they were able to share their thoughts and ask questions.

Next, council members participated in breakout sessions, where small group activities encouraged collaboration and feedback around three guiding questions:

• How should school staff introduce and explain seclusion and restraint procedures in a way that feels collaborative rather than alarming?
• When seclusion and restraint are discussed during an IEP meeting, what information helps parents feel informed, confident, and respected?
• What tools or supports would help parents better understand seclusion and restraint outside of the IEP meeting?

Following the breakout sessions, Dr. Gray announced that Jefferson Parish Schools has earned a “B” district rating for the second consecutive year. He then opened the floor for questions from council members. Discussions focused on district policies and procedures related to ICE concerns, including attendance, the use of cameras in special education classrooms, and protocols for addressing behavioral concerns for students with exceptionalities.

Finally, Dr. Davis gave a meeting evaluation that asked council members to reflect on what worked today. Members were able to share out Dr. Davis also asked what could be done better for the next meeting.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council was led by Ms. Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal and Dr. Emily Davis, Director of IDEA. Ms. Fairchild reviewed the agenda, discussed meeting norms, roles & expectations of the councils, and future council meeting dates.

Next, Dr. Ajit Pethe, Chief of Schools, introduced himself to the council and opened with a video that showed a video with a speaker talking about knowing your WHY.  Dr. Pethe discussed some key points coming from the video. Council members were broken into pairs to discuss their WHY. After five minutes, Dr. Pethe asked council members to introduce their partner and tell their WHY

Next, Ms Fairchild began to present via a presentation.

Next, Dr. Emily Davis spoke to the council about ways to help teachers in schools and all of the changes they have made to make this happen, like the new teacher cohort, providing more district resources, and office hours.

Next, council members had a breakout session to discuss what professional learning opportunities and support teachers and staff would like to see the district provide.  Each duo was given the opportunity to share what they discussed. They talked about training for staff, offering information to parents, implementing accommodations, and providing teachers and paras professional development sessions that teach how to provide various services to students.

Next, Dr. Davis hosted another breakout session-focus groups led by district IEP Coordinators. Discussions required council members to share successes and challenges when working with the special needs population and discuss special education services being provided.

Next, Dr. Gray introduced himself to the council and gave commentary. Dr. Gray opened the floor to questions from council members. They discussed having residency/internships for college students that could assist in the SPED classrooms, percentage of population that is SPED/Gifted, statewide accountability system. 

Finally, Ms. Fairchild gave a meeting evaluation that asked council members to reflect on what worked today. Members were able to share out. Ms. Fairchild also asked what could be done better, and the council suggested more time on focus groups and creating objectives and topic interest surveys for future topic discussions.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council was led by Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal and Dr. Emily Davis,Director of IDEA. The council members introduced themselves, then Ms. Fairchild reviewed council norms and meeting outcomes. Ms. Fairchild also shared the roles and expectations of the Special Education Council. 

Members participated in an interactive team-building activity led by Dr. Davis, which encouraged members to work together and problem-solve.

Next, Ms. Fairchild shared a presentation that highlighted new LEAP Connect Alternate Assessment criteria for the 2025-26 school year. This presentation shared information about the two components of Bulletin 111 if schools exceed the 1.0 percent participation cap and criteria for LEAP Connect Alternative Assessments. Ms. Fairchild also shared next steps for Jefferson Parish School students in reference to change in criteria. “We’ve already identified students and reached out to schools to plan for student success.”, said Ms. Fairchild. Jefferson Parish Schools is effectively working on developing strategies for supporting students in the classroom.

Members participated in small focus group discussions. Members were encouraged to brainstorm ideas on methods to inform parents of the changes and amendments to IEPs.

Next, Superintendent Dr. James Gray welcomed council members and thanked them for being a part of this years’ council. Dr. Gray and members participated in open discussions.

Finally, Ms. Fairchild wrapped up the meeting by sharing some reminders and encouraged members to participate in the meeting evaluation. 

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council was led by Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal and Dr. Emily Davis,Director of IDEA. The council members introduced themselves, then Ms. Fairchild reviewed council norms and meeting outcomes. Ms. Fairchild also shared the roles and expectations of the Special Education Council. 

Members participated in an interactive team building activity led by Dr. Davis, that supported developing relationships with members of the council.

Kacey NcNally, Director of Pupil Appraisal, then shared a presentation that focused on Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP). This presentation highlighted four functions of functional behavior assessments, the role and responsibilities of the FBA Coordinator and school staff, data review meetings, behavior intervention plan, process monitoring, fidelity checks and available resources. 

Members participated in small focus group discussions.

Finally, Ms. Fairchild wrapped up the meeting by sharing some reminders and encouraged members to participate in the meeting evaluation.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council was led by Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal and Dr. Emily Davis,Director of IDEA. The council members introduced themselves, then Ms. Fairchild reviewed council norms and meeting outcomes. Ms. Fairchild also shared the roles and expectations of the Special Education Council. 

Next, members participated in an interactive team building exercise in which members worked together to promote critical thinking regarding the foundation needed for students with special needs. 

Next, Dr. Davis shared a presentation that focused on assistive technology. Next, she introduced special guests Dr. Rosemary Kerrin, Director of Speech and Hearing, and Leigh Anne Vogt, Acting Coordinator of Speech and Hearing, to share a presentation on speech and hearing services. The review the the communication bill of rights, communication support initiatives within JP Schools, 

Next, members participated in small group discussions that focused on understanding assistive technology. 

Next, Dr. Davis invited Superintendent Dr. James Gray to share a few words with council members. Dr. Gray welcomed members and thanked them for their support. Dr. Gray shared that Jefferson Parish Schools recently became a B-rated school. Next, members were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Dr. Gray. 

Finally, Ms. Fairchild wrapped up the meeting by informing members with reminders and encouraged members to participate in the meeting evaluation.

The Superintendent’s Special Education Council was led by Paulette Fairchild, Executive Director of Compliance and Pupil Appraisal and Dr. Emily Davis, Director of IDEA. The council members introduced themselves, then Ms. Fairchild reviewed council norms and meeting outcomes. Ms. Fairchild also shared the roles and expectations of the Special Education Council. 

Next, members participated in an interactive team building exercise in which members worked together in small groups that promoted critical thinking regarding the foundation needed for students with special needs. 

Next, Ms. Fairchild shared a presentation that provided Special Education updates from the department of education. The presentation shared updates on revisions of bulletin 1706 which included early resolution process, evaluations and parental consent, parent participation of the IEP draft, due process of the Independent Educational Evaluation, tutorship, prior notification of consent of notice and review of records in relationships to discipline.

Next, members participated in a second interactive team building exercise in which members worked together in small groups that encouraged members to brainstorm a list on topic discussions for future meetings. Members presented their ideas to the group for discussion.

Next, Dr. Davis invited Superintendent Dr. James Gray to share a few words with council members. Dr. Gray welcomed members and thanked them for their support. He shared the importance of Jefferson Parish Schools providing a foundation for all students regardless of their background. “Kids should not be judged by their background and disabilities,” said Dr. Gray. Providing a foundation for all students in Jefferson Parish, regardless of their background, is not just an educational necessity—it is a moral imperative. It helps foster equity, diversity, and social mobility, which benefits the individual student, their families, and the community as a whole. The district plays a pivotal role in shaping a future where every student can succeed, contribute, and thrive.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Dr. Gray. 

Finally, Ms. Fairchild wrapped up the meeting by informing members with reminders and encouraged members to participate in the meeting evaluation.