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Professional Learning Opportunities
August 2022
Podcast Highlight- PEAK
Special Education Highlight- 2E Learners
Twice-exceptional (2e) learners often need support for both their advanced cognitive abilities and their areas of struggle, however research shows that once students are identified for gifted or special education services, they are not referred for the other. Join us as we
explore identification issues for twice-exceptional students, including recommendations for enhancing communication between gifted and special education departments, assessment tools useful for identifying twice-exceptional learners, and common obstacles facing the identification of 2e students.
Educators who are prepared to recognize, identify, and provide services for 2e learners will provide a valuable service for a group of students that has been traditionally under-recognized. Lack of opportunities for collaboration between educators and limited awareness of qualifying criteria for either gifted or special education services limits educators' ability to advocate for
twice-exceptional students. Educators who attend this session will be equipped to overcome these obstacles when they return to their schools. Registration can be found at- https://mciu.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=3390
Featured Offerings
IEP Writing Series
This IEP writing series demonstrates important components of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Throughout these interactive courses, you will learn how to write a sound IEP. You can take one course or take all!
Individual course registration links are as follows:
Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance
Related Services and Extended School Year
Specially Designed Instruction
Student Demographics and IEP Meetings
Literacy Instruction for Students with Limited Verbal Abilities
The opportunity to learn to read and write should be afforded to ALL, regardless of spoken communication
ability. Students who are nonverbal need comprehensive literacy instruction that is adapted to meet their unique needs. Throughout these courses, you will learn instructional
strategies for teaching literacy skills to non-speaking students.
Registration can be found here- https://mciu.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=3495
Special Educator's Network
Virtual Meeting Dates:
**In person event on May 23rd
Upcoming Speakers
Supporting Access for Students with Complex Bodies
Due to schedule conflicts, we need to find a new date to have Karen come out. If you are interested in having some staff attend this training, please reach out to KKessler@mciu.org.
This session will support the development of access and accessibility to students with complex bodies. Participants will learn how the sensory systems and postural mechanisms affect visual convergence, focus, attention, and postural control. The understanding of how a student’s body works “functionally” is key to them access not only assistive technology, but also the whole educational experience. A final component to this training will be understanding the relationship between the motor development, cognitive exploration and the environment impact the use of AAC. Strategies to support all children’s classroom task engagement and use of AAC are woven throughout the session.
As an additional support, each MCIU represented district will be able to schedule one consult with Ms. Kangas in a classroom of their choosing (classroom staff have to attend the training). Please reach out to Kari Kessler with questions. KKessler@mciu.org
Today’s ABA with Introduction of Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment
This session is an Overview to the value of Applied Behavioral Analysis versus the reliance on ABA procedures. Participants will learn about the Practical Functional Assessment. "The specific functional assessment process that will be the focus
relies on open-ended interviewing and a subsequent functional analysis referred to as an interview-informed, synthesized contingency analysis or IISCA."
Registration can be found at: https://mciu.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=3561
PEAK
This 12-hour and BACB CEU available training provides an engaging journey through the scientific underpinnings of PEAK, showcases the research on PEAK, explains the entire assessment process, details the assessment-to-treatment process, and finally walks through multiple examples of how to run PEAK treatment programs.
Many video demonstrations, commentaries on balancing PEAK & other ABA care, integration in schools or home/clinic-based programs, getting staff buy in, and how to start using this amazing assessment and intervention system right now.
Registration can be found at: https://mciu.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=3570
For Additional Support and Social Media Links
Email: KKessler@mciu.org
Website: Learn.mciu.org
Phone: 610-755-9395
Twitter: @MCIULearns