The Westport School District's special education services are under scrutiny, with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process underway to select a firm to review and improve the district's offerings. The RFQ process has been initiated due to concerns from parents about the district's special education programs and services, leading the board to take a more active role in the selection process. Ten firms have submitted their qualifications, each outlining their experience, references, and past work examples in a combined 980-page proposal. The board will now review these proposals and invite a subset of firms to bid on the project through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
The selected firm will be tasked with evaluating the district's special education services, focusing on alignment with student needs, placement in the least restrictive environment, and positive outcomes. This review will be conducted alongside a state-led compliance review in the 2026-27 school year. The administration aims to ensure that the services are appropriate, consistently implemented, and linked to meaningful student outcomes. The review will likely include site visits, focus groups, and interviews to gather feedback from families and students.
One of the key aspects of this process is the involvement of parents. An online petition with over 900 signatures has been instrumental in driving this change. Parents have expressed a desire to have a say in the selection of the consultant and have called for firms to make public presentations on their offerings. The school board has responded by allowing the administration to work with the board in developing the scope of the work, ensuring a system-level review of district special education programs and services.
The board members emphasize the importance of input from district professionals in the decision-making process. Board Member Stephen Shackeford highlights that the public's preference for one vendor over another will be considered, but the final say in the RFP wording and vendor selection lies with the board. The selected firm will report directly to the board, ensuring transparency and accountability in the review process.
The proposals submitted by the ten firms vary in length, ranging from 10 to 300 pages, with some including full reports from other districts as appendices. Two of the firms, CREC and Steadfast, are based in Connecticut, and many others have experience working with districts in the state. Notably, WestEd, a firm preferred by some parents, has conducted reviews in New Britain and Bristol, and recently evaluated Connecticut's special education systems. Public Consulting Group, based in Boston, has also reviewed Greenwich's special education programs, and New Solutions has a strong track record of conducting special education program reviews across multiple states.
Urban Collaborative, based in New Jersey, has conducted 47 reviews, including four in Connecticut, demonstrating their expertise in the field. Steadfast's team member, with a background in student services and special education in Wilton and Fairfield, further enhances their credibility. The board's decision to involve parents and professionals in the selection process, coupled with the diverse qualifications of the firms, sets the stage for a comprehensive and transparent review of the district's special education services.
