This two day Institute focuses on evaluation and legal issues pertinent to Speech Language Pathologists.
June 16th -
Day one of our institute will feature Cyndi O'Toole and Misty Terrell who will provide information on ABA for the SLP: Understanding the principles of ABA as they relate to evaluation, treatment and collaboration. We all know it takes a village to provide support in schools to students with disabilities. There are a wide variety of stakeholders involved in a child's team and dedicated to the one goal of helping that child succeed. In addition to the variety of stakeholders, there are a variety of therapists and treatment methods. ABA is a method used by many private therapists and is starting to cross over into the school setting more often. Here is an opportunity to learn how to use evidenced based practices of ABA in a public school setting when evaluating, developing and implementing a treatment plan, as well as how to communicate with parents and other professionals who use ABA to ensure collaboration between all stakeholders.
Day two will consist of several breakout sessions addressing a variety of topics related to Special Education. Presenters and topics will include:
Jim Walsh - "Legal Update for Evaluation Personnel"
Jim Walsh will provide information regarding new legal requirements that impact evaluation personnel as well as a look at legal cases regarding evaluation issues.
Angela Ward - "A District's Journey to Cultural Proficiency"
Austin Independent School District (Austin, Texas) embarked on the journey towards cultural proficiency in December 2010 with the formation of the AISD Council on Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness. This session will provide an overview of the AISD journey as well as engage participants in a personal understanding of the inside-out approach that is Cultural Proficiency.
Mertie Miller-Gomez - "Implementing a Best Practice FIE Program to Improve Student Outcomes"
The quality of an FIE has particular importance for comprehensive planning to meet students' learning needs. Developing a Best Practice FIE allows the school district to respond to a student's successes and struggles with a data-driven document and provides for a defensible FIE. This session will walk you through how to build student success upon a firm foundation of a Best Practice FIE. It will also provide information on Houston ISD developed resources to assist with implementing a Best Practice FIE program district wide. These free resources include an FIE Checklist, FIE Blog Site and an FIE rubric.
Ben Garza - "FBAs and BIPs: What Evaluation Personnel Need to Know"
10 hours of TSHA CEUs pending.
Lunch will be provided on both days of the conference.
If you have special dietary needs please notify Lori Merrell at lori.merrell@esc13.txed.net.