District-wide and program-specific assessments from Walker Partnerships can yield results
September 30, 2011
Walker Partnerships continues to be a leader in conducting district-wide and program-specific special education evaluations.
In FY-2011 Walker Partnerships conducted 17 special education evaluations, including those for early childhood services, ESY programming, other building-based programs, and comprehensive assessments of district-wide programming. The expertise that we have developed in conducting these evaluations—70 over the past six years—will provide your district with vital information that can inform further program ...
Position title change increases clarity of service model
September 30, 2011
For more than ten years, Walker Partnerships has been providing behavioral specialists to school districts. As the autism population has expanded, some school districts are employing behavioral specialists who are trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).
To eliminate confusion regarding the type of behavioral support that Walker Partnerships provides to manage the needs of students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs, the position title has been changed to Therapeutic Intervention Specialist.
These...
Program evaluations help districts improve services and contain costs
April 13, 2011
As school districts look for more ways to cut costs and make their programs more efficient, Walker Partnerships continues to offer the expertise that can make the difference.
This year, Walker Partnerships has provided six district-wide evaluations and seven program-specific evaluations in school systems seeking to improve their programs for students requiring special education.
Walker Partnerships evaluated district-wide programming in Bellingham, Beverly, Lynnfield, Milton, Waltham, and at South Shore Public Charter School. Senior...
Full-time staff currently supporting 10 Massachusetts school districts
April 13, 2011
Walker Partnerships continues to expand its service delivery area, providing program support, expertise, and consultation in central, southeast, and northeast Massachusetts, as well as throughout Greater Boston.
During this past winter, the Webster School District entered into program partnerships at the elementary school level with services for their STAR Program, including a full time social worker/case manager, program consultation, and school-based professional development.
Currently Walker Partnerships has a 16-...
New seminar to provide SPED expertise to elementary school principals
April 13, 2011
Given the significant role that they play with special education programming at the building level, more and more elementary school principals are looking for ways to improve their strategies for successfully managing the behavior of their most challenging students.
In an effort to provide new skills to school leadership, Walker Partnerships will offer a new, four-part seminar specifically designed for elementary school principals: Managing Challenging Behaviors in Your Building. This seminar series will provide participants with...
Comprehensive audit can reduce placement and transportation costs
April 13, 2011
As a special education administrator, are you considering which of your out-of-district students can return to in-district programs?
From the more than 70 special education program evaluations conducted by Walker Partnerships since 2006, we have determined that approximately 50% of the out-of-district placements involve students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
Walker Partnerships can conduct a comprehensive audit of your current out-of-district placements to determine which students may be candidates for...
New service provides short-term support for therapeutic inclusion programs
April 12, 2011
As a recognized leader in the development, implementation, and ongoing support of school-based therapeutic inclusion support programs, Walker Partnerships is committed to assisting public school systems with the education of their students who struggle with serious behavioral and emotional challenges.
To further expand the range of services available to school systems, Walker Partnerships has created a new Immediate Intervention Service that will assist districts in implementing systemic change in existing programs that may be...
Professional Development for Paraprofessionals
April 12, 2011
In the course of many district-wide program evaluations and in our conversations with school administrators, it has become clear that many school systems would benefit from expanded professional development opportunities for their paraprofessionals.
Public school administrators are making their best effort to prepare paraprofessionals with training that is relevant to the work that they perform, but time constraints and limited resources can create barriers that prevent public school systems from allowing these vital service...
Pamela Travers to lead Watertown program
November 17, 2010
The 2010-2011 school year began at Beacon under the leadership of new director Pamela Travers, M.Ed.
After an extensive search and thorough interview process that included Walker and Beacon administrators, staff, students and a former Beacon parent and current board member, all agreed that Pam was the strongest candidate and the best match for Beacon. “Pam seemed very genuine and down to earth and direct and honest,” said one student. “We loved that she really wanted to connect with each and every one of us. We feel she genuinely cares...
Program development is key
September 28, 2010
School districts continue to look to Walker Partnerships as they develop new programs that build and strengthen a school system’s capacity to educate students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
Program development consultation with senior staff at Walker Partnerships can be utilized by school systems when developing a new program or to assist with a program that is currently in operation. In the planning stage, the targeted focus is on the creation of practices, procedures, protocols, and positive behavioral...
