Subcommittee presses staff on special ed data

School Committee · Meeting of January 12, 2026

Watertown's Curriculum Subcommittee pressed staff for more detail on a December special education report. Members Lisa Capulcha and Amy Donohue questioned a district special education staff member, identified only as Kathy, about why four of six measured MCAS indicators were missed and why full inclusion of students with disabilities has declined from more than 80 percent in 2006 to current levels. Staff said nine special education students did not graduate last year, six in out-of-district placements.

Capulcha said "there are districts that do this well," while staff said data show "full inclusion correlates with the best outcomes," even as outside advocates push families toward more restrictive settings. The subcommittee also sketched a draft annual calendar for recurring items, including a February program-of-studies vote and a May report on recent graduation-requirement changes. No vote was taken on special education policy.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Watertown's community access TV: School Committee Curriculum Subcommittee meeting, January 12, 2026
• The complete report: 760 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of January 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.