Based on its annual performance report data for the special education program, PSS had a 0.35 percent suspension/expulsion rate and 4 percent dropout target rate for its students during the last school year.
However, the actual suspension/expulsion rate reached 2.8 percent while the dropout rate was 8 percent.
Variety learned that PSS recorded a total of 706 special education students last program year.
According to the principals’ representative for the primary grades, Kagman Elementary School’s Ignacia Demapan, school administrators were alarmed by these figures. “It is scaring us. Why is it happening?” she said.
“There’s a need to support our schools,” she told Variety, adding that they need to hire additional staff for the program.
At KagES, there are 48 students attending the special education program but they only have one teacher.
Other schools have the same situation.
Based on the overall annual performance report, the special education program is placed at level 2, in terms of the quality of service.
“There is progress…but we have concerns with some of the indicators mainly the suspension/expulsion and dropout rates,” Demapan said.
When a program is at level 4, this indicates a concern, she added, while level 3 means that there are some improvements.
“Right now, we’re at the second level…which is a good status in terms of overall performance,” Demapan said.
The latest figures were presented and discussed during last week’s principals’ meeting at the Pacific Islands Club.
