Task Force on Blind Student Academic and Vocational Performance Blind Task Force (BTF)
Minutes
Regular Meeting of Committee Representatives
May 11, 2021
For information on the BTF, visit https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/advisory-panels/blind-task-force

Members in Attendance: Geoffrey Barney, Dr. Stephen Barr, Jennifer Carmack, Linda Coccovizzo, Rose Ehresman, Carla Keirns, Samantha Scott, Brent Sharp, Reeda Rippee, Louise Whitworth, Angie Yorke, 

Members Not in Attendance: Denise Boucher, Stacy Hamlett, June Lenk, Shari Scott

Guests in Attendance: Anthony Blades, DJ Butcher, Jane Herder

Minute taker: Regina Miller, Administrative Assistant, OSE, DESE

Carla Keirns, 2021 Chairperson, officiated over the meeting.

•	Call to Order at 10:05 a.m. by Carla Keirns 

•	Roll Call: C. Keirns

•	Introductions: C. Keirns
Welcome Sheila Wright, Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Representative; Dr. Robert Woerther, Public School Special Education Administrator Representative

•	Review and approval of May 11, 2021 Agenda: C. Keirns
o	Motion to approve with no changes – L. Whitworth and seconded by R. Rippee. Motion carried.
•	Review and approval of February 9, 2021 Minutes: C. Keirns
o	Motion to approve with no changes – L. Whitworth and seconded by R. Rippee. Motion carried.

Remote Instruction: Lessons Learned Beyond COVID-19, C. Keirns
PowerPoint presentation with no additional handouts provided.
The American Federation of the Blind (AFB) partnered with twenty other organizations last spring to conduct a survey related to Remote Instruction. Additional information was presented based on a recent discussion with the team that conducted the Access Engagement Study. Two main questions were addressed. What are other states doing with this data? When will new data be made available? 

Early Interventionist Teacher of the Visually Impaired (EITVI) for Missouri, Jane Herder, Missouri School for the Blind (MSB)-Outreach Services, St. Louis
Handout provided. Three main questions were addressed. Are all children diagnosed with visual impairments (VI) as early as possible to ensure the soonest possible medical interventions and referrals for specialized early intervention services? Are the visual impairment experts trained in early childhood education so that they are able to effectively differentiate practices that are appropriate for infants and toddlers from those that are appropriate for preschoolers or those that are appropriate for kindergarteners or older children?

•	DESE Update – S. Barr
o	Budget—state: The legislature passed a new budget and forwarded it to the Governor for consideration. Governor’s actions include approving, vetoing and withholding funds.
o	Budget—federal: Congress passed the American Rescue Plan that provides substantial financial resources to school districts to encourage in-person learning. The legislature has not appropriated the portion of those funds attributed to the FY 22 school year. Allowable uses include addressing learning loss, preparing schools for reopening, and testing, repairing, and upgrading projects to improve air quality in school buildings.
o	IDEA Part B Application: The state is preparing to submit its application for funds under IDEA Part B. An annual application is required in order to receive funds for the subsequent school year. The application was posted for public review for sixty days beginning March 1. The application deadline is May 21.

o	COVID-19: All staff at the state education agency will be back in-person starting May 17. Currently about fifty percent of staff are present on any given day. 
o	State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR): The Office of Special Education submitted the SPP/APR on time and received feedback in April. We expect a determination prior to July 1. This SPP/APR ends the current target cycle. Significant changes for the 2022 submission include a substantial increase in stakeholder input into the target setting process.  
o	Alternative Assessment Participation: Changes under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) limit the participation of students on the state’s alternate assessment to one percent of total test takers. Missouri is requesting that the United States Department of Education (USDE) approve a threshold of eighty-five percent participation instead of the usual ninety-five percent. That could affect the one percent calculation. The one percent calculation is based on participating students.

o	Missouri Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH): As of May 4, 2021, MCDHH has a new Executive Director, Cathee Wolford. Cathee was formerly with Vocational Rehabilitation.

o	Missouri School for the Deaf (MSD): MSD is in the process of finding a new superintendent. Applications are being received/reviewed. The interview team has been selected.  

•	2021 Sub Committees: Membership and Chairpersons: C. Keirns
o	Academic and Vocational Services: No report presented.
o	Children’s Vision Summit: Rose Ehresman, Chairperson
•	Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Missouri School for the Blind
•	Looking for
•	Presenters in areas of advocacy, transition (all age groups) and organizational strategies
•	Speaker to present during lunch hour
•	Adult panelists with visual impairment 
•	Will use the MSB facilities for breakout sessions
•	Please email suggestions to Rose Ehresman

o	Student Achievement: C. Keirns, Chairperson
•	S. Barr – Test data is difficult to gather at this time because state tests were not provided last year.

o	Rules: Linda Coccovizzo, Chairperson 
•	Changes to the bylaws addressing meeting participation of student representatives virtually 
•	Term length for members has been updated.

•	BTF New Members/Vacancies/Updates: C. Keirns
Vacancies as of today’s meeting include one Parent of Blind or Visually Impaired Student Attending Public School in Missouri, one Public School Building Principal, one Employer and two student vacancies.

•	Additional Topics of Discussion: C. Keirns
o	Question related to virtual meetings in August and November 2021. Motion made by R. Woerther that August meeting be conducted virtually and arrange November meeting to be face-to-face. 
Motion made by R. Woerther to conduct August BTF meeting virtually and plan face-to-face for November meeting since new officers for 2021-22 are to be nominated. Motion seconded by L. Coccovizzo. Motion carried. S. Scott will reserve a room in the Howerton Building and will check logistics to ensure that it will accommodate combined virtual and face-to-face participation by members. R. Miller will be notified once those arrangements have been finalized.
o	Motion made by C. Keirns to have Rules committee prepare a proposal to present to members for review and approval to change bylaws to allow for virtual participation for all categories of membership. L. Coocovizzo has asked that members provide feedback on this proposal. She will present this proposal during the August meeting for discussion and approval. Motion seconded by L.Whitworth. Motion carried.

•	Current Workshops/Events: 
o	Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) - Smart Social Navigation, 
July 26-30, 2021, Kansas City
o	 Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) – Open House, 
Wednesday, June 2, 2021, St. Louis
o	Lighthouse for the Blind (LNB) 
•	SOAR Program, June 6-26, 2021
For more information, go to https://lhbindustries.com/soar/
•	Sports Camp, June 18-20, 2021
For more information, go to https://lhbindustries.com/sports-camp/
•	Space Camp, TBA
For more information, go to https://lgbindustries.com/space-camp/
o	National Federation of the Blind (NFB) – Bell Academy
•	NFB is offering three virtual programs
•	Session 1 – June 7-18, 2021 – Deadline to register was May 7.
•	Session 2 – July 19-30, 2021
•	Session 3 – August 9-20, 2021
For more information and application deadlines, go to nfb.org/bell. Limited space is available.
o	Alphapointe - 7501 Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64132
•	Technology Camp – Monday, June 21-25, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 3;00 p.m.
•	Campers can attend virtually or in-person 
•	Financial Aid is available 
•	To register, go to: https://www.alphapointe.org/vision-services/youth-services/technology-camp/
•	CDC Guidelines and Protocol can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/summer-camps.html
•	Adventure Camp
•	Dates:
o	July 10-17, 2021 – Experience-Pointe (Ages 19-21)
o	July 11-17, 2021 – Amazement-Pointe (Ages 15-18)
o	July 12-17, 2021 – Challenge-Pointe (Ages 11-14)
o	July 15-17, 2021 – Adventure-Pointe (Ages 6-10)
•	To register, go to https://www.alphapointe.org/vision-services/youth-services/adventure-camp

•	Agenda items for August 10, 2021 virtual meeting 
Please email suggestions to C. Keirns or Regina Miller.

Motion to adjourn - L. Coccovizzo and seconded by S. Scott. Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.