The Access Center’s Technical Assistance Activities Amy Klekotka Technical Assistance Liaison Wisconsin Summer Institute 2006: Addressing Disproportionality Green Bay, WI August 15-17, 2006

Agenda Center Activities – Introduction and Description –Technical Assistance Services Information Sharing Communities Direct Technical Assistance Web based Services Examples Questions and Discussion

Access Center: Who are We? National Technical Assistance Center –Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, OSEP Focus on issues of Access –Active learning of the content and skills that define the general education curriculum for students with disabilities

Access Center Mission The mission of the Access Center is to provide technical assistance that strengthens state and local capacity to help students with disabilities effectively learn in the general education curriculum.

Access Center Goals With an emphasis on research-based programs, practices, and tools, our services help students learn in the general education curriculum through: Increasing awareness among educators Strengthening the ability of educators to be informed consumers Assisting educators to implement and evaluate programs, practices, and tools

Three Types of Services Ongoing Direct Assistance from Technical Assistance Liaisons Information Sharing Communities State-to-State Information Communities District-to-District Information Communities Web-based Services Training & products, Webinars, & Access in Action

What is “Access”? Active learning of the content and skills that define the general education curriculum.

Access in the Legislation Access Participation Progress... What do they have in common?

Where does access occur? The access to the general education curriculum mandate does not speak to the issue of where, per se, but rather on what However, IDEA indicates a strong preference for including students with disabilities in regular education settings

The Current Challenge We are faced with the need to bring the two together to promote access, participation, and progress, while still meeting unique needs of students

Have you heard this one before?

Technical Assistance Activities Information Sharing Communities Direct Technical Assistance Web Based Technical Assistance

Information Sharing Communities Cross-state communities Urban district community Topical communities

Direct Technical Assistance Connecting with interested states and districts Clarifying technical assistance goals Developing technical assistance at varying levels of intensity Building on technical assistance services

A Sampling of Services the Access Center Provides States and Districts Intensity Low Medium Medium High Tier One Technical Assistance (TA) via products on the website 1.Resources we place on the website 2.Products we produce or contract from outside experts 3.Web events (Webinars) we host 4.Conduct tour of the Access Center Website Tier Two TA via mediated information sharing 5.Conduct informal information gathering 6.Provide topical information packets or links to information - ”quick turnaround” activities 7.Present research and facilitate information sharing 8.Provide and review state level material and guides related to access 9.Recruit states and districts for participation in national level information sharing communities 10.Share the mission, goals and activities of the Access Center in an effort to recruit relationships with states and districts. Tier Three TA via state/regional/national activities 11.Present at activities that involve key stakeholders 12.Develop a training module for use by TA providers 13.Survey the needs of states and districts in order to inform plans related to access. 14.Participate in workgroups or teams addressing issues related to access 15.If requests on the same or similar topics arise from several states or regions, recommend regional or national activity on the topic 16.Facilitate regular communications and/or activities between the Access Center and states/districts in order to sustain productive relationships.

Intensity High Very High A Sampling of Services the Access Center Provides States and Districts Tier Four TA via intense state/region specific work done by AC staff 17.Assist states in the process of aligning IEP goals with state standards 18.Develop tool for administrators to use to analyze achievement data and make decisions related to program needs for students with disabilities 19.Assist States/Districts in developing evaluation models for showing progress related to access. Tier Five TA via intense state/region specific work done in coordination with other entities 20.Collaborate to plan and provide (facilitate or oversee) state-wide conferences 21.Work with districts to implement a change model that will guide the district in better providing access for all students. 22.Assist in evaluating efforts/programs/policies relating to access or improving outcomes for students with disabilities 23.Train core group of TA providers or trainers in a state/ region on topical research. 24.Plan and implement regional or state information sharing communities 25.Work with districts to implement district-wide initiatives that increase access

Colors indicates type ofTA service Direct Assistance Information Sharing Communities Both Service Areas NV AZ NM CO UT WY MT ID OR WA CA TX OK KS NE SD ND MN IA MO AR LA AL GA SC NC TN KY IL WI MI IN OH PA NY FL ME VT WV VA MD DE NJ CT MS NH RI DC MA AK HA Colors indicates type ofTA service Direct Assistance Information Sharing Communities Both Service Areas NV AZ NM CO UT WY MT ID OR WA CA TX OK KS NE SD ND MN IA MO AR LA AL GA SC NC TN KY IL WI MI IN OH PA NY FL ME VT WV VA MD DE NJ CT MS NH RI DC MA AK HA

District 75, NYC Implement pilot inclusion program for students with Asperger’s Disorder at the middle school level –Beginning in Staten Island –Professional development in June –From there, deciding on what supports are needed throughout the year

Bering Strait, Alaska Liaisons presented in Unalakleet, AK –including administrators, special education facilitators, and paraprofessionals Now doing follow-up videoconferences on co-teaching and differentiated instruction.

The Big 8 Urban Districts, Ohio Relationship with Ohio initially began through their participation in a state information sharing community Relationship grew through direct consultation with the group Now working on a community of practice among the Big 8 urban districts…

Web Based Technical Assistance Training and Products –Internally and externally produced Interactive Opportunities –Threaded Discussions –Webinars Access in Action

For more information… Please contact me: –Amy Klekotka Visit the website: –