BUREAU OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
P.O. Box 189, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
Tel: (680) 488-2547/2463 / Fax: (680) 488-2830 / Email: ltabelual@palauschools.org
"Our students will be successful in the Palauan society and the world."
12 November 2024
MEMORANDUM
To: Ms. Ality Inawo, Principal, PJF (Kayangel) Elementary School Ms. Tiffany R. Kasiano, Principal, Angaur Elementary School Ms. Sheena Henry, Principal, Ibobang Elementary School Ms. Lily Marino, Principal, Hatohobei Elementary School Ms. Norma Mersai, Principal, Airai Elementary School
Thru: Ida R. Kilcullen Director, Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction From Lucia Tabelual, Interim Coordinator, Special Education Program
Subject: SY 2024-2025 Special Education School Based Focus Monitoring
Greetings Principals! I am writing to inform you that Special Education Program will be conducting a School Based Focus Monitoring of your schools for this school year 2024-2025.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 616, requires the Republic of Palau to have in place general supervision oversight of the implementation of Part B of the Act. This includes monitoring and enforcement procedures for providing special education and related services for children with disabilities. The primary focus of the monitoring activities is to improve results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities and to ensure that the Republic of Palau Ministry of Education is meeting the requirements of Part B of IDEA, particularly those requirements that are most closely related to improving educational results for children with disabilities.
The following checklist/forms will be used by the monitoring team as the basis for the review of each school on a three-year cycle of focused onsite monitoring. These checklist/forms can also be used by each school to complete a self-evaluation of their procedures for serving children with disabilities.
- School/Program Monitoring Checklist —This is provided to the school upon notification of the visit to serve as the basis for the review. The school principal is encouraged to complete this checklist prior to the monitoring visit.
- Parent Interview Questionnaire
- General Education Teacher Questionnaire
- Special Education Teacher Questionnaire
- IEP Record Review Form
The Onsite Focused Monitoring Team includes the Special Education Coordinator/designee, Special Education Local Monitor/designee, and the Special Education Specialist/CRT assigned to the school. The procedures established for conducting onsite monitoring are as follows:
- Entry meeting with the principal and other school representatives
- Logistics: policies/records are chosen for review based on the selection from the SEDS school printout. Interviews scheduled.
- General Education and Special Education Teacher interviews. (As much as possible, interviews shall be with the teachers who work with the children whose IEPs were selected to be reviewed)
- Interviews with parents and students where appropriate
- IEP files reviewed using the IEP Record Review Form 6. Compliance monitoring team reviews information collected
- Exit meeting: Initial observations are shared with school administrator
Based on the time allotted for monitoring activities, Special Education Program has scheduled monitoring visits as stated below. However, if the schedules need to be changed to accommodate other school activities, you may contact Lucia Tabelual at our office. You can work out an arrangement that will be convenient to conduct this activity. She will also communicate with each of you for detailed preparation prior to the visit.
SY 2024-2025 Onsite Monitoring Schedule
| School Name | Onsite Monitoring Visit and Time | Onsite Monitoring Activities as stated above |
|---|---|---|
| Ibobang Elementary School | December 2, 2024 1:00 pm —4:30 pm | Procedure#: 1,2,3,6,7 |
| Angaur Elementary School | December 3, 2024 10:00 am — 4:00 pm | Procedure#: 1,2,3,6,7 |
| PJF (Kayangel) Elementary School | December 4, 2024 10:00 am — 4:00 pm | Procedure#: 1,2, 3,6,7 |
| Hatohobei Elementary School | December 9, 2024 10:00 am — 4:00 pm | Procedure#: 1,2,3,6,7 |
| Airai Elementary School | December 10, 2024 9:00 am — 4:00 pm | rocedure#: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
For any inquiry, please call your school Special Education Specialist at the Special Education Office.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring quality special education programs and services for children with disabilities enrolled in your schools. If you have any question or concern, please let me know.
Respectfully,
/s/ Lucia Tabelual
Special Education Program Interim Coordinator