2014 SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 2014 SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS CONFERENCE Illinois State Board of Education MAKING THE CONNECTIONS August 6-8, 2014 Crowne Plaza Hotel Springfield, Illinois

2 PAT QUINN Governor Illinois State Board of Education Members Gery J. Chico Board Chair Chicago Steven R. Gilford Board Vice Chair Evanston Dr. Vinni M. Hall Board Secretary Chicago James W. Baumann Lake Bluff Dr. David L. Fields Danville Curt Bradshaw Naperville Melinda A. LaBarre Springfield Dr. Andrea S. Brown Marion Christopher A. Koch, Ed.D. State Superintendent of Education Special Education Directors Conference Planning Committee David Andel - ISBE, Springfield Michele Carmichael ISBE, Springfield Jodi Fleck - ISBE, Springfield Melanie Fleenor - ISBE, Springfield Karen Handy - ISBE, Springfield Amy Hyde - ISBE, Springfield Robert Kroll ISBE, Chicago Donna Schertz - ISBE, Springfield Gineen O Neil - IAASE

3 Dear Colleagues, Conference Welcome Welcome to the 2014 Special Education Directors Conference. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Center for Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness, and the Special Education Services Division, we welcome you to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. We hope you find these conference days to be informative, innovative and inspiring! Our goal, as always, is to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding special education policy, practices, procedures, and programming. In addition, this year, we are hoping to highlight again some evidence-based practices and evidence-informed strategies which are meant to improve outcomes for all students, especially students with disabilities. To begin this year s conference, there is a pre-session on Wednesday afternoon where fiscal and funding information will be shared. On Thursday morning we welcome Dr. George Davis from the ChildTrauma Academy in Houston, Texas who will provide the first keynote address. Dr. Davis and his assistant, Denise Manderson, will be highlighting the impact trauma has on teaching and learning in schools and what educators can do to support ALL students success! Thursday s session strands cover a wide range of topics: Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Health and Well-being of Students, the Transition Continuum, Professional Development and Technology Resources, Administrative Supports, and Assessment. Specialized ISBE program areas (i.e., School Nursing, Fiscal Monitoring, Legal, IEP Quality) will also be providing current information. North Central Regional Resource Center will also be sharing information on the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) new direction for Results-Driven Accountability. In addition, please join your fellow colleagues and ISBE personnel at the Thursday evening Social Hour from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. The conference continues on Friday with a State of the State briefing from ISBE Assistant Superintendent for the Center for Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness, Elizabeth Hanselman, followed by Steve Woolf, who will present the keynote address - The 7 (or so) Habits of the Effective But Slightly Stressed Out Educator. The conference will conclude with a legal presentation from Darcy Kriha who will share Legal Issues Facing Special Educators. To continue our efforts to go green, all presentations are on a flash drive provided with your registration packet and are also posted to the ISBE website on the Special Education Services webpage. One week after the conference, you will receive an with your Certificate of Attendance along with a link to an online survey for this year s conference. Please take a moment to complete the survey which will help us in planning future conferences. We hope you find this year s conference beneficial and look forward to collaborating with you in advancing educational support programming throughout Illinois. As you plan for the future, please save the dates of August 5-8 for the 2015 Illinois Special Education Directors Conference to be held here at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Elizabeth Hanselman Assistant Superintendent Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness David Andel Division Administrator Special Education Services Springfield and Chicago

4 ISBE SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS CONFERENCE August 6-8, 2014 Crowne Plaza Hotel Springfield, Illinois 1:00-2:30 2:30-4:00 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014 PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS PLAZA I IDEA Grant Overview ISBE Grant Team State and Federal Special Education Funding Tim Imler - Division Administrator, Funding and Disbursements - ISBE THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, :00-10:00 Registration Open (Registration Desk) 7:30-8:30 Breakfast Buffet (Pre-function Area) Ballroom 8:30-8:45 Ballroom 8:45-10:15 WELCOME Elizabeth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent - Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness, ISBE David Andel, Division Administrator - Special Education Services, ISBE KEYNOTE SPEAKER - George E. Davis, M.D., Child Trauma Academy Child Maltreatment: Consequences, Assessment and Treatment George Davis is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who currently serves as the Director of Psychiatry for the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families. This state department encompasses all essential state services for the children of New Mexico including early childhood development, child protection, and juvenile justice. Although Dr. Davis is located within the juvenile justice division, the department recognizes the causative links between early neglect, interruptions of care, and later delinquency, and thus, he serves across the several divisions of child services. Dr. Davis earned his medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed his psychiatry residency and child fellowship at the University of New Mexico. He previously served there on the faculty at the School of Medicine as Residency Director and Division Director of the Child and Adolescent Division and continues to teach and supervise there on a limited basis as adjunct faculty. In addition to the University and State service, Dr. Davis previously worked for five years at the Indian Health Service, providing care for several of the pueblos and tribal hospitals and clinics in New Mexico. His primary areas of interest and expertise are delinquency as an outcome of early neglect and abuse, extreme behavioral disorders in young children, psychopharmacology, and systems of care for severely disabled and underserved populations. 10:15-10:30 BREAK

5 THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2014 Plaza I Plaza H Plaza G Plaza F Plaza C&D Plaza A & B SESSION #1 SESSION #2 SESSION #3 SESSION #4 SESSION #5 SESSION #6-Part 1 of 2 10:30-11:30 ISTAC-Vision and Protocols Implementation of NMT Principles in a Therapeutic School Setting Online Solutions for Administrators: Productivity and Staff Development PARCC Deep Dive Are You Lighting Their Fires or Burning Them Out?? LEA MOE Roberta Brown Michele Carmichael Denise Manderson Dave Hohulin Mary O Brian Gene Olsen 11:30-12:30 LUNCHEON BALLROOM SESSION #7 SESSION #8 SESSION #9 SESSION #10 David Turner SESSION #11 Deborah Morrow SESSION #12-Part 2 of 2 12:30-1:30 Practical Resources for Effective RtI / MTSS Implementation What s New in School Health? Making Decision About Assistive Technology: Getting New Teams Off the Ground Legal Issues Facing Administrators The New Illinois Learning Standards and Its Impact On Special Educators Excess Cost Larry Fairbanks Julie West SESSION #13 Jessica Gerdes Reginald Patterson SESSION #14 Dave Hohulin SESSION #15 Trisha Olson SESSION #16-Double Session Ann Denoyer Connie Heinz SESSION #17 Deborah Morrow SESSION #18-Double Session 1:35-2:35 Multi-tiered Systems of Support: Climate & Culture Building Bridges in Transition from Early Intervention to Early Childhood Web 2.0 Tools to Make You More Productive The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment (Part 1 of 2) Serving English Learners with Disabilities What is Results Driven Accountability? (Part 1 of 2) Susan Gasber Tammy Henry Merle Siefken Julie Cotter Cindy Moore Pamela Shaw John Closen Neal Kingston Sheila Wells-Moreaux 2:35-3:00 BREAK PRE-FUNCTION AREA SESSION #19 SESSION #20 SESSION #21 SESSION #22-Double Session Beth Robinson SESSION #23 Sandy Schmitz SESSION #24-Double Session 3:00-4:00 A Perfect Fit: Connecting the Illinois SEL Standards to the Transition Plan Independent Living Requirement Preparing for a Federal and State Monitoring Division Visit Technology Resources for Collaboration, Organization, and Observation The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment (Part 2 of 2) The IEP Quality Project Tutorial What is Results Driven Accountability? (Part 2 of 2) Sue Walter Mark Ribelin Lisa Ward Neal Kingston Sheila Wells-Moreaux 4:00-5:00 SOCIAL HOUR BALLROOM Susan Carty Jim Shriner Sandy Schmitz

6 8:15-8:45 8:45-10:15 FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, :30-10:00 INFORMATION DESK OPEN 7:30-8:30 BREAKFAST BUFFET (Pre-function Area) STATE OF THE STATE Elizabeth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent - Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness GENERAL SESSION Ballroom KEYNOTE SPEAKER Steve Woolf, Superintendent of Schools Erie USD 101 The 7 (or so) Habits of the Effective But Slightly Stressed Out Educator Steve is a nationally recognized and awarded educator that has served as a teacher, principal, and is currently a superintendent. Having been raised in a small town in central Kansas, Steve has branched out to make an impact on educators nationwide through programs he has developed and his speaking goes right to the heart of all that hear. Steve has been named Kansas Middle School Principal of the Year, been awarded the $25,000 Milken National Educator Award, and has been named to the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame. Steve is also very active in conservation and environmental education and works to leave No Child Left Inside. 10:15-10:30 BREAK LEGAL - Ballroom FEATURED SPEAKER Darcy Kriha, Franczek Radelet Attorneys & Counselors Legal Issues Facing Special Educators Darcy represents public school districts and special education cooperatives throughout Illinois. In addition to overall school board representation, Darcy has extensive experience handling special education and high-profile student discipline matters. 10:30-12:00 Darcy is a member of the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the National School Board Association (NSBA), the Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) and its Eamon Shannon Special Education Program Planning Committee, and the Illinois Council of School Attorneys (ICSA). In July 2006, Darcy was selected by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of Illinois 40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch. She was recognized for her unique and exceptional lawyering skills in the field of education law and her commitment to the profession, including extensive volunteer work.

7 Pre-Conference Sessions Wednesday, August 6, :00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. IDEA Grant Overview ISBE Grant Team -Tammy Greco, Felicia Malloy, and Dawn Camacho Plaza I This session will be a brief overview of the IDEA grant process with a review of basic grant procedures and new additions for the coming year. Wednesday, August 6, :30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. State and Federal Special Education Funding Tim Imler, Division Administrator, Funding and Disbursements - ISBE Plaza I Participants will be provided the latest information on State special education funding programs and payments as well as Federal IDEA Part B grant awards. A brief overview of how the IDEA Part B district allocations are calculated will be provided. Thursday, August 7, :30 a.m. 8:45 a.m. WELCOME Elizabeth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent, Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness, ISBE David Andel, Division Administrator, Special Education Services Springfield and Chicago, ISBE Ballroom 8:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Ballroom KEYNOTE SPEAKER George Davis, M.D., Child Trauma Academy Child Maltreatment: Consequences, Assessment and Treatment Research has consistently demonstrated that childhood trauma negatively influences a wide range of mental and behavioral capacities, including crucial functions such as academic attention and performance, self-control, predisposition for substance use, mood and even physical health. Most of these lasting influences are due to changes in the brain that occur when a child suffers neglect or maltreatment during sensitive periods of brain development. The approach developed by Dr. Bruce Perry and the Child Trauma Academy relies on a thorough understanding of the sequential early development of foundational regulatory brain functions and the ways in which these functions are altered by negative early experiences. Although these brain changes are significant and persistent, they are not permanent and they can be improved by subsequent experience and treatment. The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics as developed by Dr. Perry offers an approach to assessment and possible treatments.

8 SESSION #1 ISTAC Vision and Protocols Roberta Brown, Director - ISTAC Michele Carmichael, Principal Consultant - ISBE SESSION DESCRIPTIONS Thursday, August 7, :30 11:30 a.m. PLAZA I The Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Collaborative (ISTAC) promotes a district-wide prevention and wellness approach within a multi-tiered system of supports which utilizes school partnerships with family and community stakeholders. Consistent with research, ISTAC facilitates the development of a sustainable district-level system, empowering district and school leadership to implement evidencebased practices to students with disabilities (ages 3 through 21 st year), with the goal of improving outcomes for ALL students. This session will provide information on ISTAC s vision and the process used for connecting districts with this service entity. SESSION #2 Implementation of NMT Principles in a Therapeutic School Setting Denise Manderson, M.C. Hull Services PLAZA H Denise Manderson will present on the integration and training of Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) principles in a therapeutic school setting. This portion of the workshop will highlight how clinical elements of NMT can be infused throughout the school day, from structuring proactive dosing breaks for classes, building in somatosensory and self-regulatory resources and breaks, all paired with caring adults with the end goal to enhance cognitive functioning. SESSION #3 Online Solutions for Administrators: Productivity and Staff Development Dave Hohulin, Vice President - Infinitec PLAZA G Technology can be overwhelming for teachers and administrators. However, research shows that administrators have both direct and indirect impact on integration of technology on their campus (Webb, 2011). Instructional leaders can find it challenging to accomplish their everyday job functions as well as learn and utilize rapidly-changing technologies. But what if those technologies were simple and could make your life easier? This presentation will introduce web-based tools that will simplify research, organization, task management, and professional learning for you and your staff members. Webb, Lori. "Supporting Technology Integration: The School Administrators Role." National Forum of Educational Administration & Supervision Journal, 28.4 (2011): 1-7. SESSION #4 PARCC Deep Dive Mary O Brian Director of Assessment - ISBE Gene Olsen, Director of Student Services - Glen Ellyn CCSD 89 PLAZA F This session will focus on a thorough look at the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The Accessibility and Accommodations Manual developed by PARCC will be the basis for the information. SESSION #5 Are You Lighting Their Fires or Burning Them Out? David Turner, Ed. D., Clinical Assistant Professor - University of Illinois Springfield PLAZA C & D Many of the teachers and coordinators who work in your organizations have demanding high-stress jobs that tend to burn them out over time. That can lead to individual dissatisfaction, low staff moral and a decrease in work quality. This session will provide you with information you can use to raise staff morale, mitigate some of the causes of stress and provide job enrichment opportunities for your staff. Based on solid theories from sociology and best practices from both school and business administration, you will be able to take home some practical ideas that will allow you to work toward the old adage that happy workers are productive workers, or maybe just get em to stop grumbling!! SESSION #6 LEA MOE Part 1 of 2 Deborah J. Morrow, Ph.D. - A Better IDEA Consulting PLAZA A & B This session will describe/discuss the LEA MOE requirement, the exceptions to MOE and the adjustment to MOE. Reference will be made to 34 CFR , and

9 SESSION #7 Practical Resources for Effective RtI / MTSS Implementation Larry Fairbanks, Principal Consultant - ISBE Julie West, Statewide Administrator - Illinois RtI Network SESSION DESCRIPTIONS Thursday, August 7, :30 1:30 p.m. PLAZA I This session will focus on the RtI/MTSS framework and the necessary knowledge, skills, resources, and tools for supporting, coaching, and leading RtI/MTSS implementation as an integral part of the continuous improvement process. Content from the Illinois RtI website will be utilized to guide discussion, highlight the benefits of coaching for sustainability and identify strategies, including the blending of multiple educational initiatives to strengthen student outcomes. SESSION #8 What s New in School Health Jessica Gerdes and Reginald Patterson, Principal Consultants - ISBE PLAZA H The presenters are specialists in school health, including school health services, health education, and physical education. This session will provide you with the latest information about the following topics: new rules regarding licensure (certification) of school nurses, the portions of special education evaluation that are reserved for medical/nursing professionals, how the new sex education law impacts students with IEPs, physical education waivers that are available to students with IEPs, the recommendations and/or state policy on medications (self carry, medical script required, etc.), and if medicinal marijuana will be coming to Illinois schools. SESSION #9 Making Decisions About Assistive Technology: Getting New Teams Off the Ground Dave Hohulin - Infinitec PLAZA G Assistive Technology (AT) is a complex field, and making decisions about which technologies will best assist a student in overcoming the challenges posed by their disability can be a daunting task. However, by breaking down the decision-making process, creating expectations, delineating responsibilities, and organizing processes, teams assigned to address AT can more efficiently handle these requests. This presentation will introduce the different aspects of AT decision-making (consideration, information-gathering, assessment, and implementation) and share tips and tools that teams have developed for use in their own schools. A model of coaching and related time frames will also be explored. SESSION #10 Legal Issues Facing Administrators Trisha Olson, Assistant General Counsel - ISBE PLAZA F This session reviews recent changes in legislation and special education case law and projects what changes the State will see in the school year. The session will include information about extended school year placement decisions, special education in charter schools and nonpublic school reporting, as well as highlight forthcoming changes that may occur regarding transportation, state funding and concealed carry. SESSION #11 The New Illinois Learning Standards and Its Impact on Special Educators Ann Denoyer and Connie Heinz, Principal Consultants ISBE PLAZA C & D The New Illinois Learning Standards have created an opportunity for special educators to reframe how we develop our outcomes for students with IEPs. This session will provide an overview of the New Illinois Learning Standards and provide a chance for special education personnel to receive the latest information regarding the standards and how these standards are reflected in IEP development and implementation. Come and join us for this session to further develop the understanding that Special Education Students are General Education Students First. SESSION #12 Excess Cost Part 2 of 2 Deborah J. Morrow, Ph.D. - A Better IDEA Consulting PLAZA A & B This session will describe/discuss the basis for the excess cost requirement, how to calculate excess cost, and how to document (for audit purposes) that the requirement has been met. References will be made to 34 CFR , and Appendix A.

10 SESSION #13 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS Thursday, August 7, :35 2:35 p.m. Multi-tiered Systems of Support: Climate and Culture Susan Gasber, Tammy Henry, and Merle Siefken, Focus Area Development Coordinators - ISTAC PLAZA I The Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Collaborative (ISTAC) promotes a district-wide prevention and wellness approach within a multi-tiered system of supports which utilizes school partnerships with family and community stakeholders. Consistent with research, ISTAC facilitates the development of a sustainable district-level system, empowering district and school leadership to implement evidencebased practices to students with disabilities (ages 3 through 21st year), with the goal of improving outcomes for ALL students. This session will provide an overview of ISTAC s holistic approach to MTSS, the evidence-based practices that are represented in the ISTAC training curriculum, and the coaching methodology used to provide technical assistance. SESSION #14 Building Bridges in Transition from Early Intervention to Early Childhood Julie Cotter, Program Supervisor Livingston County Special Services Unit Cindy Moore, Program Coordinator - Four Rivers Special Education District Pamela Shaw, Director of Special Education and Student Services - Riverside School District 96 PLAZA H This presentation by members of the statewide Early Childhood Transition Guidance Committee focuses on IDEA transition from Part C to Part B. Topics include Indicator 12 compliance requirements, associated timelines, and strategies for facilitating smooth and effective transitions for young children. SESSION #15 Web 2.0 Tools To Make You More Productive John Closen, LTC Director - Area III Learning Technology Center PLAZA G How can educators utilize technology to help them be more productive and also provide individualized personal professional development? Participants will be actively engaged in this hands-on session learning how to use different tools more effectively to utilize existing technology. Some areas to be covered in this session are - Using Web 2.0 Tools for Professional Development Presentation tools Apps for sharing information The Cloud Communication tools SESSION #16 Double Session (continued to Session #22) The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Part 1 of 2 Neal Kingston, Director - University of Kansas Center for Educational Testing & Evaluation Sheila Wells-Moreaux, Research Associate University of Kansas Center for Educational Testing & Evaluation PLAZA F The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment System is designed to map students skills. This includes both the kinds of skills tested on traditional multiple-choice tests and also all the related skills that help students master those tested skills. Think of a learning map like a common road map. Although students may share the same destination, they all begin their journeys from different starting points on the map. For parents and educators who hope to guide students to their destination, that road map provides a wealth of information. First, it shows where a student is starting. It also shows the main route, which is the shortest, most direct way to get there. However, a gowaltod road map does more than show a single route. It also shows several alternate routes in case the main route can t be traveled. Finally, the map shows all the places students must travel through to get to their destination. Put simply, Dynamic Learning Maps help us see beyond where students are today to show us how they can get to where they need to go. SESSION #17 Serving English Learners with Disabilities Beth Robinson, Principal Consultant - ISBE PLAZA C & D Identifying and serving English learners with disabilities requires an understanding of the process of second language acquisition. This presentation will discuss how English learners are identified and served, the intersection between disability and language acquisition and the legal requirements for working with English learners with disabilities. SESSION #18 Double Session (continued to Session #24) What is Results Driven Accountability? Part 1 of 2 Sandy Schmitz, Ph.D. North Central Regional Resource Center PLAZA A & B This double session will describe the new federal requirements for State Education Agencies and Local Education Agencies given the new direction of Results Driven Accountability (RDA). Participants will learn about the State Systemic Improvement Plan which will be phased in over the course of the next several years and is designed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities

11 SESSION #19 SESSION DESCRIPTIONS Thursday, August 7, :00 4:00 p.m. A Perfect Fit: Connecting the Illinois SEL Standards to the Transition Plan Independent Living Requirement Sue Walter, Focus Area Development Coordinator - ISTAC PLAZA I The convergence of academic, social, and emotional learning serves all students well. For transition-aged students with disabilities, the new transition planning requirement for Independent Living provides a win-win opportunity to support the development of quality Independent Living post-school goals and services by using the Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards. During this session, an overview of the Independent Living requirement and the SEL standards will be provided with additional resources. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask transition-related questions, meet the new SPP Indicator 13 Team, and learn more about the Statewide Technical Assistance Collaborative (ISTAC) specific to the transition focus area. SESSION #20 Preparing for a Federal and State Monitoring Division Visit Mark Ribelin, Division Administrator, Federal and State Monitoring - ISBE PLAZA H ISBE s Federal and State Monitoring Division is responsible for monitoring school districts that receive federal special education funding for fiscal compliance. This session will include a review of the monitoring process with emphasis on common findings noted in recent monitoring events. We will also discuss upcoming changes as a result of the OMB Super Circular for Federal Grants. SESSION #21 Technology Resources for Collaboration, Organization and Observation Lisa Ward, Content Area Specialist for Learning Supports Illinois Center for School Improvement PLAZA G The session will explore online and tablet resources for special education directors, coordinators and teachers. Resources will include online collaboration tools, organizational resources (online and mobile), and student observational tools. SESSION #22 - Double Session The Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Part 2 of 2 Neal Kingston, Director - University of Kansas Center for Educational Testing & Evaluation Sheila Wells-Moreaux, Research Associate University of Kansas Center for Educational Testing & Evaluation Continuation of Session #16 PLAZA F SESSION #23 The IEP Quality Project Tutorial Susan Carty, Project Director University of Illinois, Department of Special Education Jim Shriner, Principal Investigator University of Illinois, Department of Special Education PLAZA C & D The presenters will provide an overview of the IEP Quality Tutorial, a web-based decision-making support system for special education personnel, with content and tools based on research of best practices for providing meaningful access to standards-based curriculum for students with disabilities. Guidance and examples for nearly every area of the IEP, including downloadable reference charts and planning sheets for educators, students and parents to use in IEP development are part of the Tutorial. SESSION #24 - Double Session What is Results Driven Accountability? Part 2 of 2 Sandy Schmitz, Ph.D. - North Central Regional Resource Center Continuation of Session #18 PLAZA A & B

12 Friday, August 8, :30 8:45 a.m. State of the State Address - Elizabeth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness - ISBE Ballroom Friday, August 8, :45 10:15 a.m. Ballroom KEYNOTE SPEAKER Steve Woolf, Superintendent of Schools - Erie USD 101 The 7 (or so) Habits of the Effective but Slightly Stressed Out Educator This is a relaxing/informative/semi-humorous workshop for the educator or student who (on occasion) feels the world coming down around him or her. Although this workshop is loosely based on Covey s 7 Habits of Effective Leaders, the focus will shine a little light on the short life we live and how to put our days into perspective to maximize effectiveness as educators, students, or supporters. Friday, August 8, :30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. FEATURED SPEAKER Darcy Kriha, Franczek Radelet Attorneys and Counselors Legal Issues Facing Special Educators Ballroom This session will address hot topics in the field of special education law, including new legislation and a review of cases from the 7 th Circuit Court of Appeals and federal district courts in Illinois. Bring your questions! EXHIBITOR INFORMATION The Special Education Directors Conference organizational committee has elected to have exhibitors exhibit at the Conference on an every other year basis. Exhibitors from non-profit organizations and/or affiliated with the Illinois State Board of Education s Discretionary projects are welcome to participate in the 2015 Conference, which will again be hosted at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL. For further information, please contact Melanie Fleenor at mfleenor@isbe.net or

13 Illinois State Board of Education IEP Facilitation System Coming Soon to Illinois (Spring 2015) Promoting productive child-centered centered IEP meetings that are conducted in a respectful and collaborative manner. Updates on the IEP Facilitation System, including when it will be available to all districts and parents will be provided on the Illinois State Board of Education website and through the State Superintendent s Newsletter and special education listservs. IEP Facilitation System Overview IEP Facilitation IEP facilitation is a process that fosters effective communication between parents and districts as they develop a mutually acceptable IEP. This process may be used as a preventative measure in which a trained facilitator promotes whole team participation, acknowledging and addressing differing opinions in a respectful and neutral manner. IEP facilitation can improve the relationships between school districts and parents in order to effectively plan services to meet the student needs. Why IEP Facilitation? States and school districts are increasingly turning toward this less costly measure and finding improved relationships between districts and parents, a greater number of mutually acceptable IEPs, and a reduction in the number of districts and parents utilizing formal dispute resolution options. As a result of the interest in IEP facilitation among districts and parents in Illinois, the Illinois State Board of Education has committed to developing an IEP Facilitation System. State-Sponsored Facilitator s Role An IEP facilitator focuses on the process of the meeting and supporting all parties full participation. The facilitator is not a member of the IEP team or an advocate for any person on the team. The facilitator does not make a decision for the group. The facilitator keeps team members on task, clarifies points of agreement and disagreement, and provides team members opportunities to consider alternative solutions. How does Facilitation Compare to Mediation? Who guides the process? Meeting Type Facilitation Facilitator IEP Meeting Mediation Mediator Informal Meeting State-Sponsored IEP Facilitation State-sponsored IEP Facilitation is a voluntary service offered at no cost to districts and parents of students with disabilities. A parent or a district representative may make the request for a state-sponsored facilitator. However, these services will initially only be available to those districts who have volunteered to participate in the pilot project and parents from those identified districts. The pilot project will begin during the school year. Participants Goals IEP Team Promoting effective communication; Developing a mutually acceptable IEP Small Group of Decision Makers Resolving special education disagreement; Developing a legally binding mediation agreement

14 NOTES

15 Session Number Special Education Directors Conference 2014 Session Log Sheet Day Start Time End Time Session Title Clock Hours TOTAL