(TNS) — The Scottsbluff School Board approved a $22,759, two-year extension of Goalbook, an online platform aimed at assisting special education teachers in streamlining their paperwork and dedicating more time to student interaction. The system, which the district has been utilizing since the beginning of the academic year, aids in the development of standards-based individualized education plans (IEPs).
Wendy Kemling-Horner, the district’s student services director, highlighted the platform’s utility in progress monitoring and providing instructional strategies tailored to each student’s specific skill areas. The program offers an AI-driven approach that facilitates the IEP-writing process, enabling educators to focus on the essential aspects of creating effective educational roadmaps.
“We just put our data that we already have for the students,” Kemling-Horner explained. “Then it kind of generates something for us to include in IEPs. After that, it will come up with some goals, some suggested goals, based on the strengths and the needs that we have inputted already.”
All recommendations generated by the program are aligned with the standards required for each student’s grade level, as Scottsbluff implements standards-based IEPs. Whitney Bennett, a resource teacher at Roosevelt Elementary with 17 years of experience in special education, initially expressed skepticism about the platform. “Change is challenging, especially when it impacts something as important in detail as the IEP process,” she said. “However, my perspective quickly changed once I worked with Goalbook.”
Bennett emphasized that developing an IEP is more than a one-time annual task; it is a critical process that supports a district’s most vulnerable learners and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. “I’ll be honest, IEPs are time-consuming,” she noted. “It’s very stressful. Burnout is real, and it’s important for us to not only paint a clear picture of a student’s needs but also to meet any state and federal requirements to ensure compliance. But I can confidently say that the tools in Goalbook have made this aspect of my job easier.”
Cierra McDonald teaches special education for kindergarten and first grade at Roosevelt Elementary and praised the program’s efficiency. She noted that it leverages existing data to suggest necessary goals, allowing teachers to focus on direct student interventions rather than spending time formulating plans independently. “Having that built in for us gives us more time to work with the students,” McDonald stated. “It helps me focus my time where it matters the most, which is with my students.”
Elizabeth Pierce, in her first year of special education at Bluffs Middle School, echoed these sentiments. “One of the biggest challenges I’ve had, obviously, is building confidence with effectively writing IEP goals,” she said. “Using Goalbook has been a big game-changer for me. It’s helped me feel a lot more confident and supported.” She reported that her time spent on IEPs has decreased by as much as 50% since implementing the platform.
Board member Rob Polk acknowledged the significant time savings for teachers, which alleviates stress and enhances their capacity to engage with students. “And at $22,000 for a year, that’s half a teacher’s salary,” he pointed out, noting that 45 staff members are already using the platform.
In addition to the Goalbook extension, the board recognized eight groups for their recent achievements, including the Sodexo Future Chef’s Challenge, MATHCOUNTS, SHS Math Club, Quiz Bowl, HOSA, Robotics, Boys Basketball, and AFJROTC Flight Academy.
This extension reflects a growing trend among educational institutions to leverage technology aimed at enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of special education services. By embracing AI-driven solutions like Goalbook, districts can not only meet compliance requirements but also significantly improve the educational experiences of students with disabilities.
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