LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) presented a Special Education Strategic Plan at the May 13, 2025, Board of Education meeting. Led by Kevin Lowndes, chief of teaching and learning, and Larry Johnson, director of special education, the plan focuses on helping students with disabilities succeed and giving teachers the support they need. It reflects the district’s commitment to working alongside families, educators and community partners to build an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.
The plan is being shaped with the help of educators, families and community members. Parents gave feedback through focus groups and the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC), helping the school system understand what matters most to families and staff.
The plan focuses on four primary goals: improving learning, creating more opportunities, building a safe and welcoming school culture, and supporting teachers.
Some key highlights include:
- Clear guidelines for classrooms: CCPS is creating handbooks for special education programs. These will help all teachers understand what effective special education looks like and how to support students with disabilities the right way.
- Better student grouping: Instead of placing students in programs based just on location, CCPS will group students by grade level. This helps students learn alongside peers their own age and receive more targeted instruction. Transportation plans will also be adjusted so bus rides remain familiar for families.
- Family workshops: The school system is teaming up with community partners and the Parent Center to offer workshops that give families tools to help their children succeed.
- Support for preschool students: The plan expands services for 3- and 4-year-olds who need early support, making sure classrooms have the right staff and resources to meet those needs.
- Recognizing student skills: Students who earn an alternative certificate (rather than a traditional diploma) will now have new ways to be recognized for their strengths in work skills, community involvement and life readiness.
- Safety and fairness: In line with state requirements, CCPS is creating a plan to prevent and respond to incidents where students leave school unsafely (elopement). A new committee will also look at suspension data to reduce unfair discipline and help schools improve.
- Helping teachers succeed: New special education teachers will get access to Goalbook, a tool to help with lesson planning and writing strong IEPs (individualized education programs). The school system is also starting a committee to find ways to balance caseloads so teachers can manage their time and responsibilities more effectively.
During the presentation, Lowndes recognized Johnson for his leadership in developing the plan. He praised Johnson for going above and beyond to ensure all voices were heard, highlighting his active role in shaping the plan’s priorities and outlining the district’s path forward.
The overall goal is to ensure that students with disabilities are fully supported both in school and in life after graduation. CCPS is in the final stages of completing the Special Education Strategic Plan and will continue to share updates to keep families, educators and community members informed and involved throughout the process.
To learn more about the Special Education Strategic Plan, watch the May 13 meeting on YouTube or view the presentation here: Strategic Plan for Special Education (PDF)
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
