"The organization is really built on being able to provide the quality of services and programming that students need."
I’m Dr. Michael Maclin, superintendent of Special School District here in Saint Louis County, Missouri.
Special School District is really unique because it provides special education services to students ages 3 through 21 in a variety of placements governed by the IDEA—Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It is the only model of its kind across the country. What makes the organization unique is how it is structured.
Our services are based on students’ needs, their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their placement. SSD teachers provide special education services either in the students’ homeschool or their partner school district. Students may also attend SSD or private/separate placement agencies. Our services range from speech therapy for kindergartners to autism-related support.
Ninety-seven percent of students receiving SSD services attend their local school district, but we also operate two large career and technical high schools offering about 28 programs in technical fields like cosmetology, diesel fuel systems, automotive and plumbing trades. At one point, technical education was considered an option, but now, for a large part of the country, it is the only option.
We facilitate those programs, currently placing about 88 percent of graduates in their trade. Our course offerings span grades 10 through 12 and include traditional fields such as precision machining and construction, as well as emerging fields like network administration and health sciences. These are part of our tech schools. Special School District is also the 13th largest employer in the St. Louis region, employing over 5,500 staff members and serving more than 22,000 students.
The organization is really built on being able to provide the quality of services and programming that students need. The investment from the community supports our programs and services. Providing high-quality services and programming tailored to students’ needs is by far the key to success.
We achieve this in several ways, including our early childhood programs, school-age programs and vocational school programs (VSP), which serve students who have completed four years of high school but require additional programming for further development. We also have the SNAP program, a Special Non-Public Access Program providing services to students eligible for special education but not attending public, private or parochial schools.
Additionally, we provide homebound instruction and educational services for students involved in the court system through our juvenile detention services. Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs emphasize real-world, hands-on applications. For over 30 years, our early childhood special education program has been there to provide services for students, helping them transition effectively.
I think, ultimately, when it comes down to it, the keys to our success are our relationships and the personalization we bring to every aspect of our work.
It is, and I think that’s what makes us so special. The “special” in special education is the relationships we build and our ability to provide those services. I really want you to understand this, Victor—we were established in 1957, which was before IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, was created in 1975. This was truly innovative at the time and provided a way for Saint Louis County to meet and support the needs of students with disabilities.
We have our audiology services, which support all children in St. Louis County from early childhood to graduation. These services include diagnostic hearing evaluations and assistive technology, which are key components.
Additionally, our vocational and technical programs provide essential services. Our school-age programs, spanning kindergarten through 12th grade, work with partners to deliver these services to students. Seventy percent of our students are in partner schools, while SSD operates nine schools of its own.
We also have adult education programs under applied technology services. These year-round classes serve individuals aged 18 and older, with instructors certified by DESE to assist students pursuing degrees like RN certifications.
From a business and operations standpoint, SSD has partnered with Care Act to offer low- or no-cost, high-quality medical care for staff and their families. This provides access to comprehensive primary care and medication, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity for the district.
Another initiative I’m proud of is our Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) programs. They ensure representation for minority- and women-owned businesses in both our workspace and core operations. We’ve committed to meeting a goal of having 15 percent of RFPs or contracts awarded to these businesses. To support this, the district created a vendor portal, which is a cutting-edge resource for facilitating these partnerships.
When it comes to our keys to success, I want to highlight that the community’s investment in providing a dedicated funding source for SSD programs and services is fundamental. Additionally, we see tangible results. In St. Louis County, students with disabilities performed in the proficient or advanced range in ELA at higher percentages than students statewide in 2021. That performance shows the effectiveness of our programs.
Our community collaboration is critical. We partner with 22 public school districts, and through these partnerships, we provide services that vary based on the needs of each district. While our county partners offer different levels of support for students, SSD supports all students with IEPs. These partnerships have been essential.
When you think about it, the collaboration we have with our partners allows us to amend, train and refine our systems to make a significant impact on the 24,000 students with IEPs we serve. Those efforts are key to what we do, and while we excel in many areas, there are still places where we need to grow. Accessibility is a significant focus for us, and we continue to strive for improvement.
On a personal note, I was recently honored with the NAACP’s Excellence in Education Award, which is a major recognition. Last year, I had the privilege of giving a TED Talk, and I was featured in CIO Magazine as one of the top 10 DEI leaders to watch in the country. These accolades reflect the importance of the work I’ve done and continue to do to drive these initiatives forward. They underscore my commitment to the mission and the success of SSD.
We partner with the Special Education Foundation to support some of our efforts. When we talk about accessibility—who has access and who doesn’t—that’s a crucial focus for us. For anyone interested in partnering with us on these initiatives, we’d love to explore what that partnership could look like.
Our staff—the relationships they build—is really what makes Special School District special.
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