Special Education Leadership Conference Embassy Suites Hotel, Charleston, West Virginia April 11-12, 2011 John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, West Virginia April 13, 2011

Robert Hull Assistant Superintendent of Schools Division of Curriculum and Instruction

Pat Homberg Executive Director Office of Special Programs

SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATES

 United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) made a verification visit to West Virginia November 29- December 2,  Purpose of the visit was to review the state’s system for: ◦ General supervision ◦ Collection of state-reported data ◦ Fiscal management ◦ Improving child and family outcomes ◦ Protecting child and family rights VERIFICATION VISIT

OSEP looked at critical elements that were used to guide evaluation of general supervision, data, and fiscal systems – Critical Elements Analysis Guide (CrEAG) Part B used as interview tool. OSEP completed a focused monitoring review related to the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education. EVALUATION-OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS

OSEP made on-site visits to Berkeley, Jackson, Mason, and Kanawha Counties and the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. OSEP randomly selected and examined Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from these sites. EVALUATION-ON-SITE

Implementation of online Individualized Education Program (IEP) Provision of equal access for students with IEPs to a quality universal pre-kindergarten program Promotion of the inclusion of school-age students with disabilities RECOGNITION OF WV IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES

 Practice of routinely extending the timeline for state complaints received in November or December  Practice of issuing program determinations for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind and the Institutional Education Programs  State’s policy of whether LEAs have met their maintenance of effort (MOE) obligation only based on a comparison of State and local funding on a total basis  Ensuring that LEAs are in compliance with the requirements of district-wide assessments NONCOMPLIANCE IDENTIFIED

Date: Focus: Program Improvement NEXT VERIFICATION VISIT

West Virginia’s Special Education Improvement Planning Process Digging deeper in data via root cause analysis Use of a logic model when thinking strategically about choosing improvement activities Developing an action plan for Implementation of Activities Program Improvement  14 County Trainings  OSP Webinars Assist LEAs  Special Education Leadership Conference Fall 2011

TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT  Technical assistance, as part of an effective system of general supervision, must be directly linked to the SPP indicators and to the improvement activities. Technical assistance and professional development are provided to correct noncompliance and improve results. States systematically disseminate information to LEAs about promising and evidence based practices. Evaluation of technical assistance and professional development involves evidence of a change of practice resulting in improved outcomes and compliance as well as building sustainability and capacity. Networks exist at the state, local, and agency level to increase technical assistance capacity. Improve Results Academies: Literacy, Mathematics, & Autism Special Education Leadership Conference Spring 2011 Establish Networks NDPC-SD,TACSEI Autism Training Center WVTCCoP, WVACCoP WVMCCoP, WVLCCoP, NIMAC, NCRTI, NCRRC, NCIPP, CELL Correct Non-Compliance MSRRC Special Education Leadership Conference Fall 2011

Math AcademiesLiteracy AcademiesAutism Academies Deepen teachers’ understanding of mathematics and their pedagogical knowledge Yr 1 – Content/ Part A Yr 2 – Content/ Part B Develop instructional expertise in the use of a foundational set of learning strategies that students use to access all content Yr 1 – Comprehension Yr 2 - Vocabulary Develop coaching expertise to support teachers of Autism. Train 1-3 coaches per county (based on SWA pop) as an In-County Support/Resource Yr SUMMER ACADEMIES

Mathematics Literacy Autism

Deborah Calhoun Chapman Tucker County

Steve Davis WVSDB

Rick Oyler Doddridge County

Nan Wells Monroe County

Wesley Ezell Doddridge County

Kim Kehrer Pleasants County

Robert “Greg” Bartlett RESA 6

Jaime Fisher RTI Specialist RESA 7

Barbara Null RTI Specialist RESA 2

Susan Beck WVDE

Jim Guy in memoriam

Phyllis Veith Assistant Director Office of Special Programs

Focus on a long-term data driven planning process… shifting from pure emphasis on compliance to dedicating resources to enhance outcomes.

Target = 100% Indicator 13: Secondary Transition

“Making mental connections is our most crucial learning tool, the essence of human intelligence; to forge links; to go beyond the given; to see patterns, relationships, context.” Marilyn Ferguson(1938-), Author, The Brain Revolution and The Aquarian Conspiracy

WV Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) a division of Council for Exceptional Children