APPENDIX D
LPR&IC Survey of Special Education Directors Regarding
Educational Services for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee staff developed and administered a written questionnaire for special education directors to gather their opinions about the quality and efficiency of educational services for children who are blind or visually impaired. Surveys were sent in September 2000 to 166 directors of special education for local and regional school districts throughout the state as well as the six regional education service centers.
A total of 84 completed surveys (51 percent response rate) were returned and analyzed. (An additional 15 surveys were received too late to include in the analysis but responses, which generally paralled those of the earlier group, were reviewed by committee staff.) A copy of the survey instrument, with the responses summarized for each question, is included at the end of this appendix. The major results of the survey are highlighted below.
The directors who participated in the survey represented school districts of varying sizes and from all areas of the state. Districts were almost evenly divided between those served by teachers of the visually impaired supplied by the Board of Education and Services for the Blind (45 percent) and those who arrange for vision-related teaching services on their own (55 percent).
Directors were asked about their district's experiences obtaining the services of certified teachers of the visually impaired over the past five years. Almost two-thirds of those responding to the question had tried to obtain specialized teachers for students with vision-related disabilities during that period. Half of those respondents reported it was difficult or very difficult to do so, providing evidence of the shortage of certified teachers of the visually impaired in the state.
The special education directors were asked to rate BESB's overall performance of eleven functions related to educational services for children who are blind for visually impaired. Overall, responses were mixed, with agency performance most frequently rated as adequate (i.e., some improvement needed but performance is generally acceptable) in most areas. BESB received its most positive ratings in the areas of providing assistance in obtaining adapted instructional materials and for the services provided by its teachers (e.g., direct instruction, consultation on methods and modifications, and collaboration in the IEP process). The most negative ratings were given in the areas of developing enrichment activities, providing leadership on vision education issues, and processing reimbursement requests from districts.
When asked about their priorities for state funding for vision-related special education services, the overwhelming majority of the special education directors ranked the services of teachers of the visually impaired as the highest priority. Textbooks and other instructional materials, assistive technology, and paraprofessional services were also high priorities for state financial assistance in the opinions of the directors.
The special education directors were also asked about several options regarding BESB teacher services. The majority (58 percent) of the 76 respondents who answered the question favored retaining the current system where the state provides teachers at no charge to some directs. (Not surprisingly, most of the directors who support the current system -- 83 percent - were from districts that receive free BESB teacher services now.) However, over one-third (37 percent) supported going to a fee-for-service system for all districts and the remainder (5 percent) would prefer BESB have no role in providing teachers of the visually impaired to school districts.
Many of the survey respondents added comments about the options they favored and about the system in general. Inequities in the way BESB teachers are assigned to school districts was the most frequently cited concern; it was noted as a problem by directors from districts that benefit from the current system as well as those that do not receive free teacher services. The most common subject for complaints was the agency's reimbursement process, with many directors noting burdensome paperwork requirements, inconsistent procedures, and payment delays.
Legislative Program Review & Investigations Committee:
Survey of Special Education Directors (September 2000)
1. Are any blind or visually impaired students in your district currently receiving any materials, direct instruction, or any other services from the state Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB)? (N =84)
89% YES (how many students? range: 1- 61 ) 11% NO
a) IF NO, when was the last time BESB provided services to blind or visually impaired students in your district? School Year _________ (how many students? _______)
If you have not had a student who is blind or visually impaired in your district education system since school year 1994-95, please skip to question 6 on the back of this page.
2. Does BESB provide the services of a teacher of the visually impaired to instruct school-age students in your district?
(N=80) 45% YES 55% NO
a) IF NO, what is the current arrangement for such teacher services in your district? (N=34)
7 employ own teacher(s) of the visually impaired 13 arrange for teacher services from a RESC
14 other (explain e.g., share with another district, combination of arrangements, etc.)
3. Overall, how satisfied are you with the quality of specialized teaching services provided to students who are blind or visually impaired in your district? (N=75) 37% Very Satisfied 43% Satisfied 15% Dissatisfied 5% Very Dissatisfied
a) If you are not satisfied, what is the main reason for your dissatisfaction? (N=13)
1 teacher of the visually impaired lacks necessary skills and training
6 hours of service teacher of the visually impaired is able to provide are insufficient
6 other (describe: e.g., unskilled and insufficient time )
4. In the past five years, how difficult has it been for your district to obtain the services of certified teachers of the visually impaired for your blind or visually impaired students? (N=76)
20% Very Difficult 10% Difficult 34% Not Difficult 36% Not Applicable (Have not needed to obtain services)
5. How would you rate BESB's overall performance in each of the areas listed below, using a scale of "Excellent "(little or no improvement needed), "Adequate" (some improvement needed but performance is generally acceptable) or "Poor" (major improvement needed). If you are not familiar with BESB's performance in an area, you can circle "No Opinion."
|
Excellent |
Adequate |
Poor |
No Opinion |
|
|
24% |
22% |
13% |
41% |
|
35% |
45% |
10% |
10% |
|
34% |
43% |
11% |
12% |
|
44% |
36% |
10% |
9% |
|
29% |
40% |
18% |
13% |
|
10% |
40% |
32% |
18% |
|
23% |
47% |
17% |
13% |
|
9% |
41% |
28% |
22% |
|
14% |
31% |
30% |
26% |
|
9% |
23% |
34% |
34% |
|
10% |
19% |
17% |
54% |
Please Continue on Back
6. In your opinion, what should be the priorities for state funding provided to districts through BESB for special education and related services for students who are blind or visually impaired? Please rank the following items, with number 1 being your highest priority. If an item you believe should be a priority is not listed, add it in the space(s) provided below for "other."
Number = number of respondents who ranked item as 1, highest priority
|
7 a) textbooks & other instructional materials |
7 e) assistive technology including computers |
|
45 b) teacher of the visually impaired services |
3 f) orientation and mobility training |
|
7 c) paraprofessional services |
3 g) daily living skills training |
|
9 d) tuition at a special facility or program |
1 h) extracurricular activities to develop social skills |
|
2 i) other (describe: all are highest priority) |
j) other (describe______________________) |
7. Which one of the following options do you favor regarding BESB teacher services: (N=76)
58% Current system (BESB provides the services of its teachers of the visually impaired at no cost to some districts)
37% BESB would provide teachers of the visually impaired to any district in the state on a fee-for-services basis
5% BESB would have no role in providing districts with services of teachers of the visually impaired
a) Please explain why you favor this option _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. If you have any other comments or specific suggestions about how to improve the quality and efficiency of educational services to children who are blind or visually impaired, please include them below or in an attachment.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Please return your completed survey by October 15, 2000, in the enclosed envelope.