School Accountability Report Card | Morgan Autism Center

School Accountability Report Card

Reported for School Year 2008-09

Published During 2009-10

I. About This School

Contact Information

This section provides the school’s contact information.

SCHOOL DISTRICT

School: Morgan Autism Center District: NPS

Street: 2280 Kenwood Ave.

City, St, Zip: San Jose, CA 95128

Phone: 408-241-8161 Web Site: www.morgancenter.org

Principal: Jennifer Sullivan

E-mail Address: JenniferSullivan@morgancenter.org

School Description and Mission Statement

This section provides information about the school’s goals and programs.

Morgan Autism Center is a private, nonprofit, nonpublic special education school that provides services for the lifespan of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other severe neurological disorders. Diagnoses served include Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Rett’s Syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder, and related neurological and learning disorders. Many students have accompanying disabilities such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and visual or hearing impairment. All students demonstrate significant deficits of perception, language, learning and adaptive behavior, and function below their age levels in most areas.

The Morgan Autism Center mission is to help children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities maximize their potential in a dignified, positive and loving environment.

The Morgan Autism Center vision is for our students and clients to remain in the community and lead a productive and happy life. We work to increase awareness about autism and to promote sharing of the latest research and information.

Opportunities for Parental Involvement

Morgan Autism Center provides multiple opportunities for parental involvement. Parents are contacted daily by classroom teachers via notebook, phone or email to discuss pertinent daily issues and ongoing programming decisions. This daily communication and parental involvement is one of the hallmarks of our program, and is often necessary in order to provide consistency for our students across school and home environments. Teachers and support staff (SLPs, O.T.s) are available for individual meetings as needed.

Morgan Autism Center provides parents with yearly lectures that include topics such as behavior management, medication, augmentative communication, toilet training, occupational therapy, speech related issues, special needs trusts and conservatorships.

Morgan Autism Center offers a monthly metting for parents.

Morgan Autism Center provides an annual conference in which parents are invited to volunteer, participate and attend. This conference hosts a number of speakers who are at the forefront in autism research, education and intervention.

Morgan Autism Center operates under an open door policy. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms and provide input.

II. School Climate

School Safety Plan

This section provides information about the school's comprehensive safety plan.

Morgan Autism Center has a current School Safety Plan that can be viewed in the Policies and Procedures Manual.

Morgan Autism Center reviews our school safety plan at the staff development meeting in August. In addition to the safety plan, each teacher has an emergency backpack that includes the following items:

Individual Student Emergency Forms

Emergency Medications (3 day supply)

Class Roster

Flashlight

Blankets

First Aid Kit

Emergency Supplies: each student has an emergency food packet that is kept in the classroom in case of a disaster.

Staff members supervise students’ bus arrivals and departures daily.

Fire drills are conducted monthly.

All visitors are required to sign in at the office.

School Discipline Practices

This section provides information about the school's efforts to create and maintain a positive learning environment, including the school’s use of disciplinary strategies.

Morgan Autism Center serves individuals who are severely impacted by Autism and other Neurological disabilities. The teaching staff and Administrative staff provide a tightly structured one to one teaching environment to support student learning and behavior. Morgan Autism Center operates under the assumption that off-task behavior is a result of the underlying neurological deficit. As such, teachers are trained in the use of Functional Analysis, Behavior Support Plans and structuring of the physical classroom setting to assist students in achieving their social and academic goals. Daily communication with parents serves as an additional investigative tool for identifying and working on behavioral, learning, and medical issues that can have an effect on the learning environment.

III. School Facilities

School Facility Conditions and Improvements

This section provides information about the condition of the school’s grounds, buildings, and restrooms, and a description of any planned or recently completed facility improvements.

The Morgan Autism Center facility at 2280 Kenwood Ave. in San Jose is rented from the SJUSD and was reopened in 10/05. A copy of the latest facility inspection is available in the office. The facility consists of an office, eight classrooms, playground and garden areas and several meeting rooms.

Maintenance is provided by Morgan Autism Center and infrastructure issues (gas lines, phone, plumbing and heating) are provided by SJUSD.

IV. Teachers

Teacher Credentials

This table displays the number of teachers assigned to the school with a full credential, without a full credential, and those teaching outside of their subject area of competence. Detailed information about teacher qualifications can be found at the CDE Web site at http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.

Teachers School

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

With Full Credential 7 7 7 10

Without Full Credential 5 2 3 0

Substitute Teacher Availability

This section provides information about the availability of qualified substitute teachers and the impact of any difficulties in this area on the school’s instructional program.

Morgan Autism Center has an available pool of highly qualified substitute teachers (retirees).

Teacher Evaluation Process

This section provides information about the procedures and the criteria used for teacher evaluations.

Administrative supervisors evaluate teachers annually.

V. Support Staff

Academic Counselors and Other Support Staff

This table displays, in units of full-time equivalents (FTE), the number of academic counselors and other support staff who are assigned to the school and the average number of students per academic counselor. One FTE equals one staff member working full time; one FTE could also represent two staff members who each work 50 percent of full time.

Title Number of FTE

Assigned to School

Academic Counselor .4

Library Media Teacher (Librarian)

Library Media Services Staff (paraprofessional)

Psychologist

Social Worker

Nurse

Speech/Language/Hearing Specialist 3

Resource Specialist (non-teaching)

Other (OT) .6

VI. Curriculum and Instruction

School Instruction and Leadership

Information about the school's instructional program and the experience of the school leadership team.

To align Morgan Autism Center’s program with the SJUSD (LEA) functional skills curriculum, Morgan Autism Center employs the Special Education Administrators of County Offices (SEACO) curriculum for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Additionally, Morgan Autism Center uses a variety of teaching materials and methods such as Reading Milestones, Handwriting Without Tears and Edmark. When appropriate for the individual student (as determined by the IEP team), Morgan Autism Center will incorporate grade level textbooks according state standards.

Due to the fact that Morgan Autism Center serves students with ASD and other severe neurological disorders, many techniques are employed to foster success in academic and social behavior areas. These techniques may include extensive use of visual schedules, social stories, picture/icon exchange, relationship development techniques, sign language, incidental teaching, and behavior shaping techniques.

Professional Development

Information about the program for training the school's teachers and other professional staff.

All Morgan Autism Center Teachers currently hold the appropriate credential for serving students with moderate to severe disabilities. Morgan Autism Center has a budget for teachers to use in order to attend off-site trainings on topics directly related to teaching. In accordance with the Master Contract, Morgan Autism Center trains staff in the following areas: crisis intervention, sexual harassment, child abuse prevention and reporting, medication distribution. Additionally, Morgan Autism Center trains all staff in basic sign language, social stories, behavior management, occupational therapy, communication styles and augmentative communication systems. Morgan Autism Center also provides opportunities for staff to attend our ongoing lecture series on topics related to medical and educational interventions and our annual conference.

	Home Blog About Us Programs Services Workshops and Lecture Series Conference Video Highlights Events FAQs Donations School Accountability Report Card Contact Us Newsroom Success Stories	School Accountability Report Card School Accountability Report Card Reported for School Year 2008-09 Published During 2009-10 I. About This School Contact Information This section provides the school’s contact information. SCHOOL DISTRICT School: Morgan Autism Center District: NPS Street: 2280 Kenwood Ave. City, St, Zip: San Jose, CA 95128 Phone: 408-241-8161 Web Site: www.morgancenter.org Principal: Jennifer Sullivan E-mail Address: JenniferSullivan@morgancenter.org School Description and Mission Statement This section provides information about the school’s goals and programs. Morgan Autism Center is a private, nonprofit, nonpublic special education school that provides services for the lifespan of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other severe neurological disorders. Diagnoses served include Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Rett’s Syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder, and related neurological and learning disorders. Many students have accompanying disabilities such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and visual or hearing impairment. All students demonstrate significant deficits of perception, language, learning and adaptive behavior, and function below their age levels in most areas. The Morgan Autism Center mission is to help children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities maximize their potential in a dignified, positive and loving environment. The Morgan Autism Center vision is for our students and clients to remain in the community and lead a productive and happy life. We work to increase awareness about autism and to promote sharing of the latest research and information. Opportunities for Parental Involvement Morgan Autism Center provides multiple opportunities for parental involvement. Parents are contacted daily by classroom teachers via notebook, phone or email to discuss pertinent daily issues and ongoing programming decisions. This daily communication and parental involvement is one of the hallmarks of our program, and is often necessary in order to provide consistency for our students across school and home environments. Teachers and support staff (SLPs, O.T.s) are available for individual meetings as needed. Morgan Autism Center provides parents with yearly lectures that include topics such as behavior management, medication, augmentative communication, toilet training, occupational therapy, speech related issues, special needs trusts and conservatorships. Morgan Autism Center offers a monthly metting for parents. Morgan Autism Center provides an annual conference in which parents are invited to volunteer, participate and attend. This conference hosts a number of speakers who are at the forefront in autism research, education and intervention. Morgan Autism Center operates under an open door policy. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms and provide input. II. School Climate School Safety Plan This section provides information about the school's comprehensive safety plan. Morgan Autism Center has a current School Safety Plan that can be viewed in the Policies and Procedures Manual. Morgan Autism Center reviews our school safety plan at the staff development meeting in August. In addition to the safety plan, each teacher has an emergency backpack that includes the following items: Individual Student Emergency Forms Emergency Medications (3 day supply) Class Roster Flashlight Blankets First Aid Kit Emergency Supplies: each student has an emergency food packet that is kept in the classroom in case of a disaster. Staff members supervise students’ bus arrivals and departures daily. Fire drills are conducted monthly. All visitors are required to sign in at the office. School Discipline Practices This section provides information about the school's efforts to create and maintain a positive learning environment, including the school’s use of disciplinary strategies. Morgan Autism Center serves individuals who are severely impacted by Autism and other Neurological disabilities. The teaching staff and Administrative staff provide a tightly structured one to one teaching environment to support student learning and behavior. Morgan Autism Center operates under the assumption that off-task behavior is a result of the underlying neurological deficit. As such, teachers are trained in the use of Functional Analysis, Behavior Support Plans and structuring of the physical classroom setting to assist students in achieving their social and academic goals. Daily communication with parents serves as an additional investigative tool for identifying and working on behavioral, learning, and medical issues that can have an effect on the learning environment. III. School Facilities School Facility Conditions and Improvements This section provides information about the condition of the school’s grounds, buildings, and restrooms, and a description of any planned or recently completed facility improvements. The Morgan Autism Center facility at 2280 Kenwood Ave. in San Jose is rented from the SJUSD and was reopened in 10/05. A copy of the latest facility inspection is available in the office. The facility consists of an office, eight classrooms, playground and garden areas and several meeting rooms. Maintenance is provided by Morgan Autism Center and infrastructure issues (gas lines, phone, plumbing and heating) are provided by SJUSD. IV. Teachers Teacher Credentials This table displays the number of teachers assigned to the school with a full credential, without a full credential, and those teaching outside of their subject area of competence. Detailed information about teacher qualifications can be found at the CDE Web site at http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/. Teachers School 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 With Full Credential 7 7 7 10 Without Full Credential 5 2 3 0 Substitute Teacher Availability This section provides information about the availability of qualified substitute teachers and the impact of any difficulties in this area on the school’s instructional program. Morgan Autism Center has an available pool of highly qualified substitute teachers (retirees). Teacher Evaluation Process This section provides information about the procedures and the criteria used for teacher evaluations. Administrative supervisors evaluate teachers annually. V. Support Staff Academic Counselors and Other Support Staff This table displays, in units of full-time equivalents (FTE), the number of academic counselors and other support staff who are assigned to the school and the average number of students per academic counselor. One FTE equals one staff member working full time; one FTE could also represent two staff members who each work 50 percent of full time. Title Number of FTE Assigned to School Academic Counselor .4 Library Media Teacher (Librarian) Library Media Services Staff (paraprofessional) Psychologist Social Worker Nurse Speech/Language/Hearing Specialist 3 Resource Specialist (non-teaching) Other (OT) .6 VI. Curriculum and Instruction School Instruction and Leadership Information about the school's instructional program and the experience of the school leadership team. To align Morgan Autism Center’s program with the SJUSD (LEA) functional skills curriculum, Morgan Autism Center employs the Special Education Administrators of County Offices (SEACO) curriculum for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Additionally, Morgan Autism Center uses a variety of teaching materials and methods such as Reading Milestones, Handwriting Without Tears and Edmark. When appropriate for the individual student (as determined by the IEP team), Morgan Autism Center will incorporate grade level textbooks according state standards. Due to the fact that Morgan Autism Center serves students with ASD and other severe neurological disorders, many techniques are employed to foster success in academic and social behavior areas. These techniques may include extensive use of visual schedules, social stories, picture/icon exchange, relationship development techniques, sign language, incidental teaching, and behavior shaping techniques. Professional Development Information about the program for training the school's teachers and other professional staff. All Morgan Autism Center Teachers currently hold the appropriate credential for serving students with moderate to severe disabilities. Morgan Autism Center has a budget for teachers to use in order to attend off-site trainings on topics directly related to teaching. In accordance with the Master Contract, Morgan Autism Center trains staff in the following areas: crisis intervention, sexual harassment, child abuse prevention and reporting, medication distribution. Additionally, Morgan Autism Center trains all staff in basic sign language, social stories, behavior management, occupational therapy, communication styles and augmentative communication systems. Morgan Autism Center also provides opportunities for staff to attend our ongoing lecture series on topics related to medical and educational interventions and our annual conference.