History of the T.A.C.L.E. Program
In response to the growing need for an appropriate education within the Oakland Unified School District for academic students with severe orthopedic impairment and complex communication needs, the T.A.C.L.E. program was developed in 1990 by a team of interdisciplinary professionals from Oakland's Special Education Department, The Bridge School (Hillsborough, CA, www.bridgeschool.org), California Children Services (C.C.S), and Associates of Augmentative Communication & Technology Services (A.C.T.S, Dr. Marilyn Buzolich).
Combined with Oakland Public School funding, a Bridge School outreach grant provided OUSD with the necessary technologies, trainings, and consultation to create the T.A.C.L.E. program. Redwood Heights Elementary School was identified as the most appropriate site for an elementary program, and Stephanie Taymuree was chosen as the teacher to pioneer the program. Special needs students throughout OUSD were then identified for consideration of placement in T.A.C.L.E. by the Program Manager of Elementary Special Education, the Diagnostic Team of OUSD, the assessment team of C.C.S., and therapists of students receiving services by private agencies. Professional development was also provided to OUSD special education teachers to identify and refer appropriate students in their classrooms.
In 1991, the Oakland Assistive Technology Team (O.A.T. team) was formed. The O.A.T. team was comprised of the OUSD Low Incidence Program Manager, the itinerant AT team, selected designated instruction & service staff, selected special education teachers, and a C.C.S liaison. The purpose of the O.A.T. team was to identify, assess and recommend placement and services for students with AAC/AT needs; to provide consultation and education to families; and to provide continued education to special day class teachers and designated instruction & services providers.
With a system of appropriate student identification and placement, and an exemplary educational program for students with complex communication needs, it soon became necessary to extend the T.A.C.L.E. program beyond the elementary level. In 1994, the T.A.C.L.E. 3 program was designed and implemented at Carter Middle School by Linda Wyman, and later moved to Claremont Middle School where it is housed today. Then in 1998, the T.A.C.L.E. 4 program was designed and implemented at Oakland High School by Jocelyn Manalac. In 1999, the T.A.C.L.E. program at Redwood Heights School was divided into T.A.C.L.E. 1 for primary grade students (grades K-2) and T.A.C.L.E. 2 for upper-elementary students (grades 3-5).
Students requiring intensive AAC/AT services for access to communication and the academic curriculum can now be provided an appropriate education within the Oakland Unified School District from kindergarten through high school.