NASDSE’s Work in States Joanne Cashman: The IDEA Partnership Phoebe Gillespie: The Personnel Center Eileen Ahearn: The TA Customizer October 25, 2005

The IDEA Partnership: Supporting states and Stakeholders in Shared Work Why Focus on Shared Work? States need stakeholders engagement to meet their goals Stakeholders need the state to assure that the strategies that meet their needs become a part of the system States and stakeholders need each other to meet the challenges ahead There is a urgent need to come together. The timelines and short and the stakes are high The time is right! October 25, 2005

How Do We Work? Scan the environment Sense opportunities Broker connections ‘Seed’ efforts Invite others that are doing related work, including OSEP TA investments Leveraging resources, including influence Help states and organizations find the ‘value added’ in shared work Learn the lessons of shared work and translate them to organizations and decisionmakers October 25, 2005

Core Activities Dialogue Guides State Implementation Pilots Build opportunities for interaction around existing documents Engage states and stakeholders in developing the dialogue starters Sponsor Dialogue sessions and write about the results State Implementation Pilots Focus on the core work of the state Invite state proposals to address persistent problems through shared work with stakeholders Link the states that want to pursue shared work Bring national organizations and their state affiliates in support of the efforts Invite OSEP TA investments that are doing related work Create a Living Record of the process and results Communities of Practice Build connections within and across states that are pioneering shared work October 25, 2005

Implementation Pilots Professional Development / Adult Learning RFP from the Partners Outreach to SEAs and Lead Agencies Bring the stakeholders into the work of the state as allies Focus on shared goals Build new connections across groups Understand how to work differently 10 state pilots MI, NY, ND, UT,MD, HI, OR, NH, OH, SC Read their stories at : www.ideapartnership.org October 25, 2005

Communities of Practice: Building Shared Meaning in Times of Change Move from ‘knowing and telling ’ to ‘knowing and doing’ Bring together decisionmakers, practitioners and consumers to minimize results and minimize unintended outcomes Build durable connections across groups to communicate and support state efforts Build on the networks that stakeholders have in place Recognize stakeholder agendas that support the state work Get everyone on the same ‘side” Focus on the task Build the relationships that will support the task Be intentional about learning what works and why Focus on documenting the results and recognizing the role of others in reaching new goals Build a more permanently collaborative culture based on a community approach to better outcomes October 25, 2005

IDEA Partnership Communities Stakeholder Community in Support of Transition: Co-led by CSAVR 10 states a national community with organizations, TA providers and federal agencies Community in Support of a Shared Agenda: Education, Mental Health and Families Co-led by NASMHPD A national community with organizations, TA providers and federal agencies Community focused on Students with Disabilities in School Improvement under NCLB ( formerly the IDEA /Title 1 Collaboration Community) Co-led by CCSSO 19 states Collaborating with RRCs for additional state and regional support Focused on creating state based communities that model shared work October 25, 2005

Center Mission “To increase the nation’s capacity to recruit, prepare and retain highly qualified, diverse special educators, early interventionists and related service providers for children and youth with disabilities, birth to 21, and their families.” October 25, 2005

Targeted Audiences and Partners States (DOEs and Part C lead agencies) Local Education Agencies (LEAs) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) and other preparation program providers Local Part C programs Community/parent/professional organizations National organizations and other Centers Individuals (middle school - mid career changers) October 25, 2005

Major Activities National level strategic alliances Website/Preparation Programs Database and Literature Base National Recruitment Campaign Focused Work in States (FWIS) Personnel data management planning Strategic action planning for R, P, and R Internet recruiting service to 20 LEAs (T-T.com) Diversity recruitment training for LEAs (The Watkins Group) Media products/PR support (T WG) October 25, 2005

Focused Work in States Year 1 – Four states (CO, KY, NC, RI). Year 2 – Five states (AL, AZ, DE, ID, WY). Year 3 – Six states (CA, MA, NH, NJ, OK, SC) State selection process looks at five criteria: data resources other initiatives demographics service usage States required to commit data, resources and personnel. Varying degrees of readiness, including resources, infrastructures, personnel to organize and sustain the work. October 25, 2005

Expected Outcomes Increased state capacity to address personnel needs (including LEAs, IHEs and Part C programs). Increased quantity, quality and diversity of persons interested in special education-related careers, entering prep programs and moving into positions. Increased retention in field. October 25, 2005

The TA Customizer Charter Schools and Special Education Project SEARCH (1997-2000) Funded by OSEP Final report link: www.nasdse.org/project_search_doc2.pdf The SPEDTACS Project (2000-03) Funded by OESE (CSP) Set of Primers published Oct. 2004 Web-based training site launched Nov. 2004 The TA Customizer Project (2003-06) Summit 2004 State team work October 25, 2005

The Summits on Special Education in Charter Schools Second Summit on Successfully Serving Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools: -Held in Dallas, TX Feb. 2004 -Presentations on NASDSE website Third Summit on Successfully Serving Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools: -To be in Indianapolis, IN Oct. 17-19, 2006 - State teams again to be supported by the Project October 25, 2005

State Workgroup Activity: “One State at a Time” Goal: to provide state-specific resources on the inclusion of students with disabilities in charter schools that are flexible, available on demand and that allow adaptation for changing needs so characteristic of special education and of the charter school movement. Other State Outcomes: a needs assessment and a targeted workgroup to assist the SEA in the future. Other Project Outcome: a model for state technical assistance October 25, 2005

The Workgroup Meeting Participants: selected by the State Director of Special Education and the State Charter School Official. Schedule: 3pm one day to 3 pm the next day Agenda: presentation by Project Team state issues discussion state needs assessment “customization” of the Primers October 25, 2005

State Involvement State Meetings to date: Upcoming state meetings: New Mexico (“pilot”), Maryland, Hawai`i, New Jersey, Idaho , California and Georgia Upcoming state meetings: Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon and Tennessee October 25, 2005