State Cites Nine Deficient Areas in Norwood Special Ed-August 16, 1977

However, the report also commended the school department for successful implementation and noted that most deficiencies can be corrected for the upcoming school year at minimal cost to taxpayers.

The program audit, conducted by a nine-member state Department of Education team following a two-day visit in February, is a standard evaluation performed every three years in every town across the Commonwealth. The evaluation specifically cited deficiencies in in-service training for regular and special education teachers, as well as shortcomings in the core evaluation process, particularly regarding student records and educational plans.

According to Roderick Smith, director of pupil personnel and Norwood’s 766 administrator, all nine areas will be complied with in September, with many changes already in effect. “Norwood is by far one of the leaders in the 766 program,” Smith stated. School Committee Chairman Richard W. Kief echoed that sentiment, noting that the town “stands proud” of the audit findings and that the report contained “more favorable material in it than derogatory.”

The only cited improvement that could entail a direct expenditure of funds is the requirement to provide paid school department attendants to ride on vehicles transporting three- and four-year-old children receiving special education services—a role previously funded through CETA grants in May. Other corrective measures include drafting formal written in-service training programs, providing clear written notifications to parents regarding their rights in the core evaluation process, refining student educational plans, and revising internal job descriptions to streamline administrative oversight under a single special education administrator.

The audit also praised the district for strengths such as staff and community communication, program flexibility, coordination during student grade transitions, and a strong commitment to mainstreaming special needs students. Commended areas included accessibility modifications at the Oldham School, Prescott School, and Junior High South for physically handicapped students, though the state report explicitly emphasized that Norwood High School must also be made fully accessible to accommodate incoming students with physical disabilities.

The local school committee has 30 days to prepare a formal written response to the report, with Smith coordinating responses for consideration at a scheduled meeting in early September. While the Chapter 766 special education mandate has remained controversial in many municipalities—particularly in light of Norwood’s historical $1.8 million loss in state aid reimbursements (of which roughly $800,000 has since been recouped)—local officials expressed confidence in resolving the audit’s findings promptly. (Reporting by local archives).

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger