OSEP Project Directors' Conference: Agenda

OSEP Project Directors' Summer Conference

2006 Conference Archive

2005 Conference Archive

Questions & Comments

2006 Project Directors' Conference Program

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Conference at a Glance

Sunday, July 30, 2006
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Registration/Pick up conference materials
Monday, July 31, 2006
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Registration/Pick up conference materials
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.	Welcome Lou Danielson, Division Director, Research to Practice Division, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs
8:40 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.	Plenary: OSERS Goals and Priorities Presenter: John Hager, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Introduced by: Lou Danielson, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs
8:55 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.	Opening Alexa Posny, Director, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs
9:25 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.	Plenary: The Future of Special Education in Today’s Schools Presenters: Sharon Vaughn, University of Texas at Austin; George Sugai, University of Connecticut; Martha Brooks, Delaware Department of Education Moderator: Tim Lewis, University of Missouri Respondent: Jim Gallagher, Frank Porter Graham Center Description: This panel will focus on the role of special education regarding universal standards and accountability and the current movement toward tiered intervention models, which is redefining special education’s roles and responsibilities. Panelists will present lessons learned from implementation of tiered intervention models in literacy and behavior as well as implications for state-level policy. Dr. Gallagher will serve as a discussant and will present his vision of alternative scenarios for special education. Presentations: The Future of Special Education Sharon Vaughn George Sugai Martha Brooks
10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Large Group Panel Sessions Aligning the State Performance Plan, Improvement Strategies, and Professional Development Presenters: Ruth Ryder, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs; Bob Runkel, Special Education Division, Montana Department of Education; Lee Sherry, Florida State Improvement Grant Technical Support Project Moderator: Larry Wexler, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs Description: This session will (a) highlight the federal requirements for the State Performance Plan, including the development of measurable and rigorous targets for each of the monitoring indicators and the development of improvement strategies to address the state’s targets; (b) provide a state perspective on the development of measurable and rigorous targets for each of the monitoring indicators and the development of improvement strategies to address the state’s targets; and (c) provide an overview of how one large state has aligned its technical assistance and professional development resources, including its federally funded State Improvement Grant, with its State Performance Plan improvement strategies. Presentations: Aligning the State Performance Plan Ruth Ryder & Larry Wexler Bob Runkel Lee Sherry Improving Education Results through Parent Involvement: The Power of Partnerships with Parents Presenters: Isabel Garcia, Parent to Parent of Miami; Debra Jennings, Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN, New Jersey PTI); Peggy O'Reilly, New Jersey Department of Education Moderator: Russ Hammond, Coordinator of SIG/Idaho Department of Education Description: Research demonstrates that student outcomes can be improved significantly when schools have strong partnerships with parents. In this large panel, participants will hear a review of the supportive research, learn which partnership activities are most influential in supporting student success, and hear testimonials from practitioners in the field who have developed effective school and parent partnerships. This panel will include practitioners, including parent leaders, who are engaged in activities to support parent involvement at the community, school, district, and state level. Presentation: Improving Education Results through Parent Involvement Presentation Perspectives and Challenges in Training Personnel to Serve Low-Incidence Populations Presenters: Kathy Huebner, National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI); Barbara Hecht, John Tracy Clinic; Betty Beale, Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC) Moderator: Kat Stremmel, National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children/Youth Who Are Deaf-Blind Description: Children with low-incidence disabilities include those children with blindness/low vision, deafness/hard of hearing, deaf-blindness and those with severe/multiple disabilities. These children/youth and their families often have extremely diverse and intense needs that cannot be met by one discipline. Programs to adequately train professionals to meet the needs of the children/youth and their families are lacking in many states. The presenters on this panel represent training programs that do respond to the diverse needs of children with low-incidence disabilities and the emerging technologies that can be employed to better meet the needs of the children/youth. Whereas many challenges exist to meet the personnel training needs, the panelists will discuss the unique strategies that they are using to address these challenges. Presentations: Perspectives and Challenges in Training Personnel Kathy Huebner Barbara Hecht Betty Beale Demonstration Models and Multisite Projects Presenters: Mary Wagner, SRI International; Carol Sadler, Tigard-Tualatin School District; Doug Marston, Minneapolis Public Schools Moderator: Renee Bradley, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs Description: The recent authorization of IDEA included a model demonstration authority under the technical assistance line item. OSEP has embraced this new authority as a mechanism for demonstrating models composed of evidence-based practices in early intervention and educational settings that result in improved outcomes for infants, toddlers and children with disabilities. This session will explore some of the successful techniques and strategies that have been employed and some of the challenges associated with multi-site model demonstration projects including: cross project collaborations, common instrumentation, recruitment and retention of local sites for implementation, and the challenges of documenting effective models. Presenters include two local implementers of models and the lead coordinator for the cross project work. Presentation: Demonstration Models and Multisite Projects Presentation Future Research on Minority Placement in Special Education: Theoretical and Methodological Challenges Presenters: Donna Ford, Vanderbilt University, College of Education; Elizabeth Kozleski, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center; Beth Harry, University of Miami; Stan Trent, University of Virginia, Curry School of Education Moderator: Cathy Kea, North Carolina A&T State University Description: This session focuses on future research on the disproportionate representation of minority students. An introductory presentation will provide an overview of the theoretical and methodological paradigms used to understand and change this complex problem. Presenters will identify gaps in this scholarship related to theory and research methods and highlight promising conceptual models and methodologies needed for the next generation of scholarship. The session will cover both over- and underrepresentation of minority students across exceptionality categories. Presentations and Handout: Future Research on Minority Placement in Special Education Cathy Kea Donna Ford Donna Ford Article Beth Harry
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Lunch with Keynote
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	In Search of Equity and Excellence for All Children: Creating Conditions to Support Special Education Students Keynote Presenter: Pedro Noguera, Department of Teaching and Learning, New York University Description: In too many schools and districts, special education is used as a means to deny learning opportunities to needy children. A lack of focus on quality control, low expectations, and a tendency to marginalize and stigmatize children with learning disabilities contribute to lowered academic performance the longer children are designated and categorized as special education students. This presentation will examine strategies that are being used in schools and districts where special education students are being well served and are achieving at high levels. Through a review of recent research and an examination of best practices, participants will be exposed to strategies designed to advance excellence and equity for the neediest students. Presentation: In Search of Equity and Excellence for All Children Presentation
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Break
2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.	Large Group Panel Sessions Addressing Social Behavior Needs of Students With Disabilities and Those at Risk Through Classroom, Program, and Schoolwide Systems of Support Presenters: Hill Walker, University of Oregon; Russ Skiba, Indiana University at Bloomington; Joe Wehby, Vanderbilt University; Deb Kamps, University of Kansas; Matt Timm, Tennessee Voices for Children Moderator: Tim Lewis, University of Missouri Description: The outcomes for students with disabilities who present high rates of problem behavior in schools are among the poorest of all students with and without disabilities. Fortunately, the trajectory of “early starters,” students who engage in precursor antisocial behaviors, can be clearly identified as early as preschool allowing early intervention. Unfortunately, not only do traditional school discipline systems fail to address high-risk students in proactive, constructive ways, but also evidence exists to indicate that they actually increase rates of problem behavior and further place students at risk for significant life issues. This panel session will provide an overview of common “discipline” practices found in schools and how they impact delivery of individualized education programs. Following a synthesis of the current status of discipline within U.S. schools, alternative supportive options at the classroom, program, and school level will be discussed. Across the discussion, an emphasis will be placed on developing the necessary systems to support school adoption of empirically proven practices. Presentations: Addressing Social Behavior Needs of Students With Disabilities Hill Walker Joe Wehby Deb Kamps Matt Timm RTI, Screening, and Progress Monitoring for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Instruction: Improving Student Academic Outcomes and Appropriate Identification for Special Education Presenters: David Chard, University of Oregon; Donald Compton, College of Education, Vanderbilt University; Sharon Vaughn, University of Texas at Austin; Ed Shapiro, Lehigh University Moderator: Chris Espin, University of Minnesota Description: The panel will briefly discuss aspects of Response to Intervention (RTI) and provide ample time for questions and discussion. Presentations: RTI, Screening, and Progress Monitoring David Chard Donald Compton Sharon Vaughn Ed Shapiro Just in Time: Technology Resources to Meet Critical Needs Presenters: Tracy Gray, National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) and Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd); Chuck Hitchcock, Center for Applied Special Technology; Philippa Campbell, Jefferson University; Preston Lewis, University of Kentucky Moderator: Tracy Gray, NCTI and CITEd Description: Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resources, research, and online tools available today? This panel will identify key resources for practitioners, researchers, and parents working with students with special needs. Hear from four education technology experts about their selected online portals and resources on topics ranging from early childhood, K–12 digital text, state resources and assessment, and online tools for technical assistance. The panel will provide their unique perspectives on the use of technology in various settings to meet the needs of all students, particularly those with disabilities. Presentations: Just in Time Tracy Gray Chuck Hitchcock Philippa Campbell Preston Lewis Achieving Literacy in English Language Learners Presenters: Janet Klingner, School of Education, University of Colorado at Boulder; Sylvia Linan-Thompson, College of Education University of Texas; Valeria Silva, St. Paul Public Schools Moderator: Martha Thurlow, National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)/ University of Minnesota Description: Promoting the development of reading and achieving literacy in children from diverse language backgrounds must be addressed within the context of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Speakers in this session identify the challenges and the possibilities of achieving literacy in English language learners of varied backgrounds and challenges. Presentations: Achieving Literacy in English Language Learners Martha Thurlow Janet Klingner Sylvia Linan-Thompson Valeria Silva Sustaining and Expanding Effective Practices: Lessons Learned From the Implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports Presenters: George Sugai, University of Connecticut; Rob Horner, University of Oregon; Susan Barrett, Sheppard Pratt Health Systems; Cyndi Boezio, Colorado Department of Education Moderator: Chriss Walther-Thomas, University of Kansas Description: The purpose of this panel is to describe what the OSEP Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has learned about establishing, sustaining, and expanding the implementation of schoolwide positive behavior support practices and systems in schools, districts, and states. Features of an implementation blueprint, national and local data, and two state exemplars will be emphasized. Implications relative to school reform, research to practice, model demonstrations, technical assistance, and research will be highlighted. Presentations and Handouts: Sustaining and Expanding Effective Practices George Sugai Rob Horner Cyndi Boezio Susan Barrett District/Regional Implementation Phases Implementation Averages Anne Arundel County Implementation Scores
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.	Interactive Small Breakout Sessions Scientific and Evidence-Based Evaluation of SIG/SPDG Initiatives: One State’s Response Presenter: Hayley Cavino, Office of Professional Research and Development, Syracuse University Description: This paper provides an overview of the evolution of a design utilized to evaluate the New York State Improvement Grant (SIG), now in its 5th year. The paper describes how the evaluation design shifted in response to federal and state stakeholder requirements for outcome evaluation of SIG/State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) initiatives. Presentation: Scientific and Evidence-Based Evaluation of SIG/SPDG Initiatives Presentation Inclusive Network of Kansas: A Model for Field-Based Technical Assistance and Professional Development Presenters: Kerry Ottlinger, Kansas Department of Education; Susan Bashinski, Beach Center on Disability Description: Field-based consultants from the Inclusive Network of Kansas (INKS) will describe their experiences with the INKS peer-to-peer technical assistance and professional development model for providing educational services for students with low-incidence disabilities. Through case examples, consultants will illustrate the INKS approach to collaborative problem solving and will share impact data. Louisiana State Improvement Grant (LaSIG): Trials, Triumphs, and Moving Forward Presenters: Margaret Lang, Louisiana State University; Melanie Lemoine, University of New Orleans; Bill Sharpton, University of New Orleans Description: LaSIG staff will present strategies and practices that impacted the use of scientifically and evidence-based instructional strategies and professional development at the state, district, and local school level. Presentation: Louisiana State Improvement Grant (LaSIG) Presentation Response to Intervention: Can’t We All Just Get Along? Presenter: Howard Knoff, Arkansas Department of Education Description: The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) stronger emphasis on prereferral intervention has prompted a competitive rush of RTI models, debates, and “universal” strategies. This session discusses the Arkansas SIG’s SPRINT (School Prevention, Review, and Intervention Team) process, emphasizing its defining characteristics and what we do and don’t know relative to students’ academic and behavioral progress. Presentation: Response to Intervention Presentation What Do We Know About Assistive Technology Use in Early Intervention? Presenters: Philippa Campbell, Thomas Jefferson University; Lauren Dugan, Thomas Jefferson University Description: Institute studies with multiple audiences have quantified limited assistive technology (AT) use and defined conditions under which decisions to use AT are made. An overview of results, illustrating the ways in which studies informed the design and implementation of a national study to promote early AT use, will be presented. Presentation: What Do We Know About Assistive Technology Philippa Campbell Update on the Personnel Preparation Program Student Data Report: Purpose, Results, and Issues Presenters: Bonnie Jones, U.S. Office of Special Education Programs; Marsha Brauen, Westat; Karen Schroll, Westat Description: In this session, presenters will describe the purpose of the Personnel Preparation Program Student Data Report, share analyses of data from the FY 2004 Data Collection, address outstanding data entry issues, and respond to participants’ questions. Personnel Preparation grantees who have entered student data for prior years as well as new (FY 2005) grantees who will be entering initial data beginning this fall are encouraged to attend. The data are used by OSEP in a number of ways that include analyzing performance measures for program accountability. Presentation: Update on the Personnel Preparation Program Preparing Early Intervention Providers to Work Effectively With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families Presenter: Margaret Kaplan, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center Description: This session will present lessons learned from the first 2 years of a personnel preparation program for occupational therapists in early intervention in an urban, extremely diverse, economically challenged community. Feedback from families, trainees, and supervisors involved in the grant program will be shared as well as plans to improve the effectiveness of this program. Keeping Quality Teachers: How States, Local Education Agencies, and Institutes for Higher Education Are Working Together to Address Special Education Teacher Retention Presenters: Phoebe Gillespie, Personnel Center at National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE); Karen Mikkelsen, Northeast Regional Resource Center (NERRC)/Learning Innovations at WestEd; Melissa Price, School of Education, University of Syracuse Description: This session will share the collaborative work of multiple states that have developed a research-based teacher retention initiative with a framework for action that includes tools and strategies for retention of quality teachers. Four major areas are highlighted: working conditions, administrator training and support, effective mentoring and induction, and partnerships with higher education. National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) Policy and Technologies: Four Months to Implementation Presenters: Charles Hitchcock, NIMAS Technical Assistance Center; Skip Stahl, NIMAS Development Center Description: This session will provide a brief overview of the NIMAS language within IDEA 2004, the technical standard itself, policies related to implementation, technical assistance provided to states and publishers and the role of National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), the national source file repository. We will demonstrate what can be done with NIMAS source files to produce student ready accessible versions of textbooks and related instructional materials - but, without being overly technical. The work should be of interest to those who wish to provide improved access to the general education curriculum, assistive technology advocates, those who are curious about various approaches to providing specialized formats to students with print disabilities, anyone looking for new research topics and anyone interested in complex consensus driven solutions to persistent foundational educational problems. States and local school districts are required to implement their plans in early December 2006. Presentation: National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) Policy Chuck Hitchcock Best Practices in Parent Center–State Collaboration to Improve Student Achievement Presenters: Diana Autin, Region I Parent TA Center at Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) of New Jersey; Debra Jennings, Region I Parent TA Center at SPAN Description: Parent centers and state lead agencies will present an overview of their collaborative efforts on early intervention, reducing disproportionality, improving literacy, and IDEA implementation. Participants will then work in small groups to identify strategies for their states to improve student achievement through parent center–state collaboration. Presentations: Best Practices in Parent Center Diana Autin George Dowaliby and Nancy Prescott Federation for Children with Special Needs and Massachusetts Department of Education Choices in Transition: Implementing Systemic Change in a Large Urban Environment Presenters: Fabricio Balcazar, Department of Disability and Human Development; Teresa Garate, Chicago Public Schools; David K. Hanson, Chicago Mayor's Office of Workforce Development; Kenneth Upshaw, Marriott Foundation Bridges from School to Work Description: This session will highlight the efforts of local government, researchers, and community-based organizations to impact change within the context of post-school outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities in Chicago. We propose presenting an overview of the taskforce and its success by highlighting three examples of theory and research to practice. Creating Access to the General Curriculum with Links to Grade-Level Content for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities Presenters: Diane Browder, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Shawnee Wakeman, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Bree Jimenez, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Description: The concept of access to the general curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities will be described through an exploration of research related to the alignment of alternate assessments, content standards, and instruction as well as a potential method for creating entry points to the curriculum. Presentation: Creating Access to the General Curriculum Presentation Infusing Diversity in Preservice Education: One Way to Address System Improvement Presenter: Camille Catlett, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Description: Presenters will share the design and findings from a project to support increased faculty and student knowledge about and skill related to cultural and linguistic diversity. They will also share strategies and tools for increasing the emphasis on diversity in the coursework, practica, and program practices of any higher education program. Presentation: Infusing Diversity in Preservice Education Presentation Transition and School Readiness: A Conceptual Framework and Child Outcomes Model Presenter: Beth Rous, Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky; Katherine McCormick, University of Kentucky Description: This session will present a conceptual framework and child outcome model for exploring the transition process for young children with disabilities, and will present a series of research studies being conducted through the National Early Childhood Transition Center using this framework and outcomes model. Initial findings from two studies will be presented. Presentation and Handout: Transition and School Readiness Beth Rous and Katherine McCormick Beth Rous Handout Long-Term Effectiveness of Earliest Individualized Developmental Intervention and Prevention in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Presenter: Heidelise Als, Children's Hospital Boston Description: This session will present empirical evidence from a randomized control trial that the model of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) for earliest intervention/prevention in the newborn intensive care unit improves preterm health and neurodevelopment into adolescence (14–18 years) as measured by neuromedical well-being, academic achievement, and social-emotional adaptation. Research on Alternatives to Overreliance on Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Schools Presenter: Michael Giangreco, University of Vermont Description: Research documents that schools are increasingly overreliant on paraprofessionals to operationalize inclusion of students with disabilities, resulting in unintended detrimental effects. This session presents data collected over 4 years from 26 schools in six states. These schools field-tested a planning process to select alternatives to overreliance on paraprofessionals. Presentation and Handout: Research on Alternatives to Overreliance Michael Griangreco Bibliography Empowering Native American and Hispanic Doctoral Students Via a Web-Based Doctoral Program: Challenges and Solutions Presenters: Patricia Peterson, Northern Arizona University; Patricia Sanstistevan Matthews, Northern Arizona University Description: This s ession describes the successful journey from practitioners to scholars of culturally diverse students in a Web-based doctoral program. This OSEP-funded grant program prepares doctoral students from Hispanic and Native American backgrounds to become highly qualified special education faculty in the areas of teaching, research, technology, and cultural/linguistic diversity.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Networking Session / Reception

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