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Special Education
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Math for All
Through hands-on activities, participants will explore how learning abilities associated with disabilities, including dyslexia and disorders related to dyslexia, impact the learning of whole number addition and subtraction. In this session, participants will build knowledge and understanding of how instructional supports, including the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines along with assistive technology, can be used to accommodate and reduce the impact of a disability when learning mathematics.
This session will meet on June 4, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and on June 5th from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM either virtually or in person.
Getting Ready for Reading by Design - Introduction to Volume 0
This class is part of a series of Reading by Design intervention trainings. This course will introduce participants to Volume 0 - Getting Ready for Reading by Design, a volume of 20 lessons designed for students who need extra support with foundational skills. This material is designed to support foundational literacy before beginning a program like Reading by Design. Lesson components include phonological awareness, alphabet, fine motor, oral language, and components of language. Participants will receive as part of this training Volume 0, an alphabet deck, a feelings poster, and a set of vocabulary picture cards.
This session will meet on June 5, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Standards-Based Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process Training
The focus of this session is developing present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) development based on student data, drafting annual goals (academic and/or functional) and objectives, if appropriate, and collecting data for reporting progress. Participants will understand the importance of these components and how their alignment results in an appropriate and ambitious individualized education program for students receiving special education and related services.
This session will meet on June 11th & 12th, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Language of Math in Early Childhood
Math concepts are not limited to a narrow instructional block for young learners. Math is tied to learning in all instructional times of the day. This session will dive into the math PreK guidelines as we learn the Language of Math. Special consideration will be give to developing language and communication skills through math concepts.
This session will meet on June 17, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Beyond Buttons: Promoting Engagement with Switch Access in the Classroom
Join us for this session dedicated to exploring the potential of switch access in the classroom. Designed for educators and professionals working with students with complex access needs, this session will introduce strategies, benefits, and best practices of integrating switch access to promote engagement and student success. Using Linda Burkhart’s Stepping Stones to Success, participants will learn best practices for switch progression. Participants will leave with strategies & ideas to integrate switches into daily academic and functional activities.
This session will meet on June 17, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Reading by Design 5 Day Training
This session is for certified teachers who are currently teaching in a public school district or charter school Participants will learn the fundamentals of a dyslexia program through a review of Texas dyslexia laws and current research, as well as best practices in dyslexia instruction. We will delve into evidence-based components of instruction and explore the continuum for developing reading ability in students with dyslexia. Participants will learn to deliver daily intervention using Reading by Design, a multisensory, systematic, explicit, and intensive reading program designed for students with dyslexia. Teachers attending these 5 days will receive program materials necessary to implement the program with 1 small group of students. *Depending on number of participants, an additional day may be necessary to complete the scheduled model lesson. Participants must attend for the entire time in order to be able to implement RbD to students. Total hours = 30. Earning a certificate for this course requires participants to attend all training dates, successfully complete all assignments on time and pass a practicum model lesson. Participants have a limited number of attempts to pass the practicum. Make-up days are not available, so please be sure you are able to attend all dates. ***This will be a 5 day training. Participants must be a certified teacher and must attend for the entire time all 5 days in order to be able to implement RbD.
This session will meet on June 17-19 & 24-25, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Accessible Literacy: Adapting Books for Multisensory Learners
Oftentimes, students with autism and/or low incidence disabilities may require alternative ways to access printed materials in order to promote greater levels of engagement, support communication, and build literacy skills. Adapted books are traditional books that have been modified by changing the format, including physical alterations to the book itself, or the way information is presented (objects, pictures, symbols, textures, etc.). During this session, you will learn what adapted books are, a variety of ways they can be used with students, and you will create both traditional and online adapted books you can take back to your classrooms for immediate participation & engagement. Easy, low-tech strategies and tools for improving physical access will be incorporated throughout the session. You will leave with the knowledge and skills to create more adapted books for instruction and classroom leisure reading.
This session will meet on June 25, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
SpEd 101 for General Educators
General education teachers have a lot on their plates and knowing the requirements of special education while supporting ALL students can be a daunting task. Join me as we explore "all things special education" and learn strategies to understand and facilitate specially designed instruction and effective inclusive practices.
This session will meet on June 26, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Impact Students Seminar with Gabe Salazar - In Person
We invite all school district staff to a day of impactful and inspiring learning. Gabe Salazar. is a national and international motivational speaker. He will share his dynamic message of hope, perseverance, and the power of education. After being mentored by his high school principal in South Texas, Gabe was rescued from gang influence and became the first in his family to go to college. Because of mentors and the education, he received, he dreamed bigger and never gave up. He began his career as inclusion specialist for special education and behavioral students at Oak Crest Intermediate School in San Antonio, TX. He soon discovered his unique talent to speak to teens and families. Today, he’s a professional speaker who travels all over the world to schools, teen conferences, churches, and camps. You may be the one person that inspires a student at the right time for success. Every person in the school building can make a difference in the lives of students. We hope you'll spend the morning being motivated and inspired to be that positive impact in the lives of students! We hope to see all school district employees: teachers, administrators, support staff, and office staff.
This session will meet on June 28, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Reading by Design 5 Day Training
This session is for certified teachers who are currently teaching in a public school district or charter school Participants will learn the fundamentals of a dyslexia program through a review of Texas dyslexia laws and current research, as well as best practices in dyslexia instruction. We will delve into evidence-based components of instruction and explore the continuum for developing reading ability in students with dyslexia. Participants will learn to deliver daily intervention using Reading by Design, a multisensory, systematic, explicit, and intensive reading program designed for students with dyslexia. Teachers attending these 5 days will receive program materials necessary to implement the program with 1 small group of students. *Depending on number of participants, an additional day may be necessary to complete the scheduled model lesson. Participants must attend for the entire time in order to be able to implement RbD to students. Total hours = 30. Earning a certificate for this course requires participants to attend all training dates, successfully complete all assignments on time and pass a practicum model lesson. Participants have a limited number of attempts to pass the practicum. Make-up days are not available, so please be sure you are able to attend all dates. ***This will be a 5 day training. Participants must be a certified teacher and must attend for the entire time all 5 days in order to be able to implement RbD.
This session will meet on July 9--11 & 16-17, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
A Comprehensive Exploration of DAYC-2 and DP-4
Evaluating young children as they transition into the school setting can present unique challenges for evaluation personnel. This session will review two widely used assessments: DAYC-2 and DP-4. While both assessments measure the five key areas of development, (Cognition, Communication, Social-Emotional Development, Physical Development, and Adaptive Behavior), participants will learn the key similarities and differences between the two assessments. The session will provide an overview of the DAYC-2 and DP-4 including principles of use, psychometric properties, administration procedures, scoring, and interpretation guidance. Come learn how each assessment plays a vital role in multi-disciplinary assessments.
This session will meet virtually on July 9, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Deep Diving into Dyslexia: From Screening to Intervention
Drowning in completing a dyslexia evaluation within the FIE? There is often confusion about the exact components of identifying dyslexia in a reading evaluation. During this session, participants will decipher the key components of the Texas Dyslexia Handbook to increase their awareness of critical components to include for dyslexia evaluations in Texas. Participants will learn how to administer the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD), which is the first comprehensive assessment of dyslexia, eliminating the need to pull tests from different assessments. From a screener to rating scales to a direct assessment to the Dyslexia Interventions and Recommendations Companion Guide, the TOD helps examiners connect data to develop IEPs and targeted intervention plans to address specific skill weaknesses. This session is appropriate for reading specialists, educational diagnosticians, school psychologists, and speech–language pathologists.
This session will meet virtually on July 10, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Overview of TEA document "Guidance for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Specific Learning Disabilities"
This session offers a concise review of the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) document, Guidance for Comprehensive Evaluation of Specific Learning Disabilities. Geared towards educational diagnosticians, school psychologists, and related professionals, this overview highlights key elements of the document, including definition of SLD, assessment considerations, data collection methods, and interpretation of results. Participants will explore how to apply TEA guidelines effectively in practice, ensuring culturally responsive and legally compliant evaluations for students with specific learning disabilities.
This session will meet on July 10, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Setting Up for Success in Early Childhood and ECSE Classrooms
Beginning the year on the right foot is imperative. In this session we will think about room design, classroom visuals, scheduling, and IEP considerations for curriculum planning for your Early Childhood and ECSE students. Whether this is your first year in Early Childhood, or you are an old pro; this is the session for you as you start a great year in your classroom.
This session will meet on July 22, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sppotlight Quarter 1 | State Performance Plan Indicators
Our SPP team is offering a 4-part quarterly series to explore the State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators in-depth, equipping attendees with the tools and insights needed for accurate and timely submission. Each session focuses on key SPP components, resources for data collection, and a comprehensive understanding of each indicator. Join us as we delve deeper into these critical areas, ensuring that every attendee is well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the State Performance Plan Indicator Submission.
This session will meet virtually on July 23, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Classroom Management: CHAMPS 2-Day Training
If you want to be a CHAMPION for your students, have you heard of CHAMPS? “CHAMPS is a model designed to help you, the classroom teacher, develop (or fine-tune) an effective classroom management plan that is proactive, positive, and instructional.”- Randy Sprick, Ph. D. This training is broken down into 2 sessions to allow the teacher (or behavioral coach) time to process the information, but also the knowledge needed to start the school year off on a positive, proactive approach to classroom management and setting the mindset that “When you have well-organized routines and procedures for your classroom, you model and prompt organized behavior from your students” (CHAMPS, Safe and Civil Schools).
This session will meet on July 30th & 31st, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at our Cleveland Campus.
Under Construction: Setting Up Effective Classrooms for Students with Autism & Low Incidence Disabilities
Join us for this two-day session, where we will walk participants through essential components of a successful special education classroom. Participants will learn how to set up a self-contained classroom using the T-TESS-aligned Rubric of Effective Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities from Texas SPED Support and TEA. On Day 1, we will introduce ways to map out effective instructional and activity zones within the classroom and use rotations and stations to support differentiation. Participants will learn how to design practical activities and instructional centers for diverse learners. We will also focus on visuals and ways to support a variety of response modes. Day 2, we will focus on creating classroom, student & paraprofessional schedules, which participants will be able to take back to use in the classroom for the upcoming school year. Using the “Effective Practice” rubric, teachers will also identify area(s) to address in their pedagogy to collaborate and write a T-TESS goal that can be used for the upcoming school year to grow in their support of students with autism and significant cognitive disabilities. This session is aimed at providing instructions for teachers of self-contained classrooms.
This session will meet on July 30th & 31st, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at our Cleveland Campus
Helping Hands: Back to School Training for PreK, ECSE, and Early Childhood Classroom Assistants
Paraprofessionals have a very important role in the education and growth of our youngest students. Join us as we look at the role of classroom assistants in the Early Childhood Classrooms. How can we support instructional practices, use age appropriate supports, and foster independence for our students?
This session will meet on August 8, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Transliterating--It's More Than Vocabulary
According to national interpreter evaluators, freelance and educational sign language interpreters must improve their discourse mapping skills to obtain the highest levels of interpreter evaluation/certification scores. We also know that transliterators concentrate on vocabulary needed for a more verbatim rendition, but transliterators must guard against falling into the trap of just concentrating on vocabulary and signs to communicate meaning. Transliterators must concentrate on the context and the use of space for clearer communication. Therefore, we will see that transliterating is more than just vocabulary.
This session will meet on August 9, 2024 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
HQPK: What Every ECSE/PreK Teacher Needs to Know About the High Quality PreK Teaching Requirements
In this session, we will explore the components of a high-quality prekindergarten program addressed in House Bill 3. Using TEA guidance documents and discussion, participants will walk away with more thorough knowledge and understanding of how these components directly impact both early childhood special education (ECSE) and prekindergarten teachers.
This session will meet on August 12, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
CLI Circle Engage PreK Assessment Training
High Quality PreK requires the assessment of progress monitoring for Prekindergarten students. Several options are available for districts to select for their monitoring, however most LEAS have chosen the Circle Assessment from Children's Learning Institute. This half day training is target to new Early Childhood teachers who will be administering this assessment for the first time.
This session will meet on August 12, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM