Best Practices in Inclusive Education: Wisconsin Summer Institute
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7:30-8:15 Registration
8:15-9:45 General Session #1
Speaker: Ralph, Emily, & D.J. Savarese (Grinnell , Iowa)
Topic: “Inclusion For All”
9:45-10:00 BREAK – Beverages Provided
10:00-11:30 Forums – Group #1
Eva Kubinski (DPI Consultant; Madison)
D . A New Path to Inclusion: Family Care & Self-Directed Supports - Dennis Harkins & Naomi Silver (Coordinator & Staff for Self-Determination Wisconsin)
11:30-12:30 LUNCH - Provided
12:30-12:45 ACTION STEPS – Dr. Kim Beloin
12:45-2:15 Forums – Group #2
2:15-2:30 BREAK – Beverages Provided
2:30-4:00 Forums – Group #3
4:00-4:30 GRADUATE COURSE MEETING in Westwood Room
4:00-6:00 NETWORKING/ SOCIAL HOUR – Upper Lounge & Patio
8:15-9:45 General Session #2
Speaker: Ben D. Anderson ( Amery , WI )
Topic:“IQ of 63 – So What! Going Beyond Everyone’s Expectations ”
9:45-10:00 BREAK – Beverages Provided
10:00-11:30 Forums – Group #4
P. Understanding Unwelcome Behavior - Dr.Mark Sweet(Consultant & Trainer for Disability Rights of Wisconsin ; Madison)
Q. Coordinating Staff to Build a Team That Meets the Needs of All Students– Al Arnold (Retired Administrator & Graduate Ed. Reading Instructor; Sheldon)
R. Current Issues in Education & Special Education: Roundtable Discussion – Sandy Berndt (DPI Consultant; Madison)
11:30-12:30 LUNCH - Provided
12:30-2:00 Forums – Group #5
2:00-2:30 Closing Remarks & Door Prizes
SESSIONS AND FORUMS - 2008
GENERAL SESSION #1
TOPIC: “Inclusion For All”
PRESENTERS: Ralph, Emily & D.J. Savarese (National Speakers, Authors & Advocates; Grinnell , IA )
DESCRIPTION: Autism abounds in our daily news. The Savarese’s share their personal experiences, espoused in Ralph & D.J.’s recent book, “Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption,” which Newsweek described as a “Real life story and an urgent manifesto for the rights of people with neurological disabilities.” This presentation will highlight D.J.’s journey from a non-communicative preschooler at a segregated special school to an Honors student at his neighborhood high school. Listen to how his parents advocated for, and facilitated his meaningful participation in general education, and hear D.J.’s hopes, fears, and proclamations of self-determination and Inclusion for All!
FORUMS - GROUP #1
A. TOPIC: “The Arts Equity Project: Using the Arts to Build & Sustain an Inclusive School Community”
PRESENTERS: Teri Sullivan, Kim Abler, Jeremy Bryan & Colleagues (Arts @ Large & Figureheads, Inc.)
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on creating a climate of inclusion in K-8 classes using hip-hop music, creative writing, and a variety of multidisciplinary arts integrated experiences. Participate in hands-on activities focused on relationship strengthening strategies that utilize performing, visual, and literary arts to promote inclusion in educational, social, and recreational activities. (Target Audience: K-8 General & Special Educators, Teachers of the Arts, Paraprofessionals)
B. TOPIC: “Extended Standards & Interfacing with General Education Standards”
PRESENTER: Eva Kubinski (DPI Consultant; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: This session will examine the relationship between the new Extended Grade Band Standards & Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards, and the impact on the instruction for students with disabilities. Participants will discuss key concepts to keep in mind when deciding to which set of standards they should align their instruction.
(Target Audience : K-12 General & Special Educators, Case Managers, Administrators, LEA Representatives)
C. TOPIC: “Autism: Roundtable Discussion ”
PRESENTER: Char Brandl (Retired Teacher & Author; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: Join in an informal interactive discussion focused on the special needs of students with autism & other challenging conditions in the general education classroom. Come with your questions, concerns, or suggestions to share. (Target Audience: Teachers, Related Services Staff, Paraprofessionals, Administrators & Parents)
D. TOPIC: “A New Path to Inclusion – Family Care & Self-Directed Supports”
PRESENTERS: Dennis Harkins & Naomi Silver (Coordinator & Staff for Self-Determination Wisconsin )
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on community inclusion for students with developmental and other disabilities who will be eligible for long-term care as adults. No more transition to waiting lists, day programs, or sheltered workshops in counties covered by the rapidly expanding Family Care Program! This session will demonstrate how school personnel can now work with students and their families to create a whole new variety of employment opportunities as Family Care expands. (Target Audience: Transition Coordinators, Secondary Special Educators, Administrators, Case Managers, Related Services Staff, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
FORUMS - GROUP #2
F. TOPIC: “Math Accommodations & Interventions for Students with Special Needs: Insights into Providing Math Instruction for All Students”
PRESENTERS: Diana Kasbaum & Sandy Berndt (DPI Consultants; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: This session will provide an opportunity for participants to gain an understanding of accommodations and interventions used to teach math skills to students with disabilities, as well as tips that can benefit all students. Participants will join in hands-on experiences with math tools and different intervention strategies.
(Target Audience : K-12 General and Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
G. TOPIC: “ Trust That They Can Read & Write: Teaching Reading & Writing to Students Who are Nonverbal”
PRESENTER: Emily Thornton Savarese (Educational Coordinator & Training Consultant; Grinnell , IA )
DESCRIPTION: Students who are nonverbal are often placed in print poor environments with little, if any opportunity to read or write. This presentation will include the use of visual supports, Augmentative & Alternative Communication Devices, and the written word as tools for teaching and developing literacy. Emily will show how modifications change over time through student work samples. Finally, this presentation will include D.J.’s journey from a Kindergartner who was “presumed retarded” to a freshman in Honors English. (Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Related Services Providers, Administrators, Parents)
H. TOPIC: “ Inclusive Transition Practices for Supporting Students in Community-based Settings: Jobs, Independent Living & Recreation/Leisure”
PRESENTER: Ted Szalkowski (Coordinator of High School Educational Services; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on Madison ’s provision for community-based instruction for 18-21 year olds and some younger students, when needed. The High School’s community-based instruction component emphasizes vocational, independent living, social, & recreational/leisure skills throughout the student’s neighborhood. This inclusive setting assists students in a successful transition to their community and insures post secondary goal attainment. This presentation focuses on the importance of establishing a realistic vision with the IEP Teams, our relationship with the County long-term support services, strategies for job development, and how to work with employers in supported employment situations. (Target Audience: High School Special Educators, Transition Coordinators, Related Services Staff, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
I. TOPIC: “Bridging the Communication Gap”
PRESENTER: Marge Liberski (Regional Coordinator – Office of Deaf & Hard of Hearing; Green Bay )
DESCRIPTION: True inclusion for students with hearing loss can be difficult to obtain because of communication issues. This presentation will focus on understanding the varying types of hearing loss, identifying which accommodations might be appropriate, who is responsible for the provision & variety of resources available.
(Target Audience : K-12 General & Special Educators, Speech/Language Therapists, Related Services Staff, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
FORUMS - GROUP # 3
K. TOPIC: “Using Curricular Modifications for Meaningful Participation Throughout the School Day”
PRESENTER: Emily Thornton Savarese (Educational Coordinator & Training Consultant; Grinnell , IA )
DESCRIPTION : Math, Science, Social Studies, & Language Arts all provide multiple opportunities for students to practice skills and to learn new concepts. This presentation will focus on how to structure curricular activities to allow students with disabilities the same varied, meaningful curricula as their peers. Learn how to embed individualized skills within regular education activities in order to facilitate high order thinking and generalization. See how curricular modifications and adaptations evolve over time through actual examples.
(Target Audience : K-12 General & Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Related Services Staff, Parents)
L. TOPIC: “The 20 Indicators of Wisconsin ’s State Performance Plan ”
PRESENTER: Danielle Scott (DPI Data Consultant; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: How does my district stack up? This presentation will explore the 20 indicators of Wisconsin ’s State Performance Plan, including what each indicator measures, where the data comes from and why it’s important to both special and general educators. The criteria used to “grade” each school district in terms of how well they are serving their students with disabilities will also be reviewed along with necessary corrective actions.
(Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators, Administrators, Related Services Staff)
M. TOPIC: “Easing Transitions From High School to Post Secondary Education”
PRESENTERS: Scott Anderson, Desiree Franks, Cindy Dahlman (NWTC Accommodations & Support Services Staff; Green Bay )
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on the careful planning required for making the transition from high school to technical college. Learn about how Northeast Wisconsin Technical College prepares students for the post secondary world of self-advocacy and provides comprehensive services for students which are designed to increase retention and enhance program completion. (Target Audience: High School Special Educators, Transition Coordinators, Related Services Staff, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
N. TOPIC: “Working Collaboratively with Parents: Roundtable Discussion”
PRESENTERS: Chris & Kim Beloin (Parents & Educators; Grafton)
DESCRIPTION: Join in an informal interactive discussion focused on how parents and school staff can work in collaboration to design and carry out effective and inclusive programming for students with special needs. Come with your questions, concerns & suggestions to share with others. (Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators, Related Services Staff, Paraprofessionals, Administrators & Parents)
GENERAL SESSION # 2
TOPIC: “IQ of 63 – So What! Going Beyond Everyone’s Expectations”
PRESENTER: Ben D. Anderson (Self-Advocate, Consultant & Presenter; Amery , WI )
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will provide an overview of Ben’s experiences as a person with Cerebral Palsy and how he became a self-advocate & college graduate as he fulfilled all of his personal goals and dreams.
FORUMS - GROUP # 4
P. TOPIC: “ Understanding Unwelcome Behavior”
PRESENTER: Dr. Mark Sweet (Consultant & Trainer for Disability Rights of Wisconsin ; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: This session will focus on why we are more likely to describe children/students with developmental disabilities as distractible, aggressive, withdrawn, in a world of their own, or even challenging rather than bored, curious, assertive, frustrated or frightened. We will focus on the kinds of questions that help us better understand a student’s perspective. (Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators; Paraprofessionals, Related Services Staff, Administrators, Parents)
Q. TOPIC: “ Coordinating Staff to Build a Team That Meets the Needs of All Students”
PRESENTER: Al Arnold (Retired Administrator & Graduate Education Reading Instructor; Sheldon)
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will address the important components in organizing professional and support staff to most effectively individualize curriculum no matter what each student’s needs are . Focus areas will include: Consensus building, effective use of time and sacred time, vision, passion, in-service, trust, and celebration. The Gilman School Model, developed by Al Arnold & staff will illustrate an example of effective implementation. (Target Audience: K-8 General & Special Educators, Administrators, Paraprofessionals & Related Services Staff)
R. TOPIC: “ Current Issues in Education & Special Education: Roundtable Discussion”
PRESENTER: Sandy Berndt (DPI Consultant; Madison)
DESCRIPTION: Join in an informal interactive discussion focused on current issues in Education & Special Education. Come with your questions, concerns & experiences to share with others. (Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators, Related Services Staff, Paraprofessionals, Administrators & Parents)
FORUMS - GROUP # 5
T. TOPIC: “You Can Do It! Specific Strategies & Effective Collaboration to Support Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy ”
PRESENTER: Ben D. Anderson (Self-Advocate, Consultant & Presenter; Amery)
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on how to overcome obstacles & build self-advocacy skills. (Target Audience: K-12 General & Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Related Services Staff, Administrators, Parents)
U. TOPIC : “Providing Effective Special Education Support in General Education High School Classrooms”
PRESENTERS: Jeremy Monday & Bruce Massman (High School Teachers; Waukesha North High School )
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will focus on Waukesha North’s structure for providing special education support services to students and teachers in general education classrooms. This presentation will include the techniques and structures used to foster communication and collaboration between special and general education teachers along with our tools and strategies for measuring student success in the general education classes.
(Target Audience: Secondary General and Special Educators, Administrators, Paraprofessionals)
V. TOPIC: “Blowing the Lid Off of Reading Achievement: Putting All of the Pieces Together”
PRESENTER: Al Arnold (Retired Administrator & Graduate Education Reading Instructor; Sheldon)
DESCRIPTION: This presentation will demystify learning disabilities in reading and dyslexia. One size does not fit all in reading intervention. However, promoting an inclusive staff that is “on the same page” in meeting the needs of all students is a crucial step in effectively teaching reading. Al will share one secret catalyst that is essential as well as his top ten countdown of reading research findings that we need to apply in order to blow the lid off of reading achievement. (Target Audience: K-8 General & Special Educators, Title 1 Teachers, Speech/Language Therapists, Reading Specialists, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Parents)
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3 Graduate Credits Available From Cardinal Stritch University
SED 572: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: Implementing Inclusive Practices through Differentiated Projects
Attend and register at the 2008 STATE- WIDE INSTITUTE ON BEST PRACTICES IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION & implement your course project during the Fall, 2008 semester. No additional in-person class meetings in the Fall. On-line communication will be utilized.
Tuition for the 3 Graduate Credits is an Additional: $585 (Make Checks Payable to: SUMMER INSTITUTE ON INCLUSION). Pay by Check on July 29 or 30, 2008 at the Institute Course Informational Meeting. (Sorry, payment by credit card is not available for this course.) Additional Questions? Call Dr. Kim Beloin at (414) 881-8101 or E-mail: Beloin@att.net