What is the National Monitoring Center?
The National Center for Special Education Accountability
Monitoring (NCSEAM), also known as the National Monitoring Center, is federally
funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department
of Education to assist states, local agencies, and OSEP in the implementation of
focused monitoring and evidenced-based decision-making about compliance with
federal law so that improved results are achieved for children with disabilities
and their families. NCSEAM is housed at the Human Development Center at
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans.
NCSEAM Brochure
Who is the National Monitoring Center?
NCSEAM is directed by Dr. W. Alan Coulter of the Human
Development Center. Dr. Coulter has extensive experience with the National
Monitoring Stakeholders in the design and implementation of data-based focused
monitoring systems in states. Members of the National Monitoring Stakeholders
serve on the Advisory Board of NCSEAM and have a direct role in the work of the
National Monitoring Center.
NCSEAM Advisory Board
Dr. Jane Nell Luster is the Data Director for NCSEAM and assists states and
local agencies in the design, analysis, and use of data about special education
programs.
Dr. Sandy Schmitz is the Technical
Assistance Director for NCSEAM. She provides assistance in the design,
development and implementation of focused monitoring processes based on the
identified needs of individual states and local districts.
Dr. Lisa Persinger is the Information Coordinator
for NCSEAM. She works to coordinate activities related to the measure of parent
and family participation and information for center staff in areas such as
project and technical assistance partners, Data Community of Practice, and
research findings.
Ms. Sharon Walsh is Part C Consultant. She has
extensive experience working with Part C Programs and serves as an integral
member of the NCSEAM technical assistance team working with Part C partners.
The National Monitoring Center (NCSEAM) employs a variety of consultants and
works closely with other national projects and technical assistance
organizations in the Federal Regional Resource Center network as part of a
coordinated effort to improve results for children with disabilities and their
families.
What is Focused Monitoring?
A process that purposefully selects priority areas to
examine for compliance/results while not specifically examining other areas for
compliance to maximize resources, emphasize important variables, and increase
the probability of improved results.
What does the National Monitoring Center Do?
The National Monitoring Center (NCSEAM) provides technical assistance in the
implementation of focused monitoring and evidence-based decision-making to
states and agencies through work plans that are based on self-assessment and
continuous progress evaluation. National Monitoring Center work plans specify
the expected results, activities, and coordinated resources to be used to
improve compliance with federal law and results for children with disabilities
and their families. Technical assistance from the National Monitoring Center
generally focuses on two areas: data about special education and other services
- its analysis and use; and accountability activities including program
monitoring.
How is the effectiveness of the National Monitoring Center determined? The
National Monitoring Center (NCSEAM) has three specific goals that are
continuously evaluated by NCSEAM staff and the project's independent evaluator,
Dr. Robin McWilliam of Vanderbilt University.
Goal 1:
Conduct the national center in a manner reflective of assumptions and practices
of high quality monitoring and responsive to local, state, and national
circumstances that results in increased stakeholder support for monitoring
practices.
Goal 2:
Develop capacities at the state and local levels for appropriately using focused
monitoring practices that results in more states adopting effective monitoring
practices;
Goal 3:
Provide assistance to OSEP responsive to national needs and reflective of
lessons learned by the national center that results in more effective monitoring
practices;
The National Monitoring Center Advisory Board meets twice
a year to review the work of NCSEAM and advise on national goals and priorities.
NCSEAM is responsive to evaluative feedback from these and other sources.
Contact us:
National Center for Special Education Accountability
Monitoring
LSUHSC\SAHP\HDC
1900 Gravier Street, Room 823 (8B9)
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: 504-556-7559 \ Fax 504-556-7584
W. Alan Coulter, Project Director
acoulter@lsuhsc.edu
Jane Nell Luster, Data Director
jluste@lsuhsc.edu
Sandy Schmitz, Technical
Assistance Director
sschmi@lsuhsc.edu
Sharon, Walsh, Part C Consultant
swalsh@lsuhsc.edu
Lisa Roberson, Administrative Assistant
LRober@lsuhsc.edu
Phone: 504-556-7559
