CLN #1 SPECIAL EDUCATION CONNECTION
March 2016, Connecting you to what you need to know
Intervention Training Opportunity
I have been in contact with a representative from the company who has developed SPIRE , which is a researched based literacy intervention. They are offering a webinar to provide an overview of their products. If you are still making decisions about which programs might be appropriate for your students, use the link below to register for one of the dates offered.
Intervention Materials
- Do we have all the necessary components?
- Is this program appropriate for our students?
- How can we get training for staff on how to implement this program?
Contact me and I will arrange to visit your school to assist with answering your questions. I have spent hours at several schools over the past several weeks unearthing valuable intervention programs, and arranging training, and would be happy to assist you with the same.
SEL presented, School-Based Professional Development Opportunities.
Understanding and Implementing Co-Teaching
We will explore the following:
- Defining Co-teaching
- Identifying a variety of different models.
- Looking at the pros and cons.
- Understanding the scheduling implications.
What is Specialized Instruction?
Understanding consultation, push-in, pull-out, and self-contained (LRE-C) services.
If your staff finds themselves unclear about what should be taking place in and out of the classroom as it relates to providing Special Education Instructional Support, this is the training for you.
We will be:
- Clarifying what consultation service should look like.
- Defining what the roles of both the general and special educators should be in a push-in model (Confronting the myth that push-in is co-teaching)
- Describing what pull-out support should look like.
- Clarifying what instruction in the LRE-C classroom should look like.
- Providing clarity around the grading process.
These are 45 minute presentations for both general and special educators, that can be provided during team meetings, collaborative planning, and staff meetings, during or after school.
If you are interested in having me present either of these trainings to your staff, please contact me at: sjpinckney@bcps.k12.md.us
Testing Updates
I-Ready
As everyone is well aware by now, the EOY/ Window 3 opened on February 29th, and will remain open until Thursday, March 24, 2016. This is the day before spring break.
Instructional Groups
All Special Education teachers should have created instructional groups in I-ready so that they can access their students. If you require assistance with setting up these groups please contact me at sjpinckney@bcps.k12.md.us
Literacy Corner
As well as well aware, BPSS is dynamic school district, ever seeking to do what is best for the student we are tasked to serve. With that being said, a number of new initiatives were put forth this school year including routine writing. Yes we are tasked with PARCC, and iReady, but in the midst, we must also prepare a generation of critical thinkers equipped to communicate through high-level writing. Kudos to those CLN 1 schools that have continued to make routine writing a priority. Kudos to Windsor Hills EM MS for changing out bulletin boards and replenishing routine writings across all content areas. Way to go Windsor
We will revisit routine writing as it pertains to the standards as a CLN during the months of April and May.
More information will be provided.
Calling All Experts!
Do you have an area of particular strength that you might be willing to share with colleagues. Your strength might be one of the following:
- A successful strategy you are using to move student achievement.
- Intervention technique
- Data collection
- Increasing student engagement
- Methods for applying the Cycles of Professional Learning (Routine Writing)
- Strategies used in co-teaching
- Collaboration
As I visit classrooms, I see remarkable teaching and am certain that your colleagues would benefit greatly from having an opportunity to learn how they can incorporate your successes in their classrooms.
KUDOS to Julene King, a teacher at Hilton Elementary, for getting the ball rolling. If you are interested in presenting, or inviting teachers to observe your instruction, contact me at: sjpinckney@bcps.k12.md.us We can work together to put a plan together.
My Upcomming Visits to Your Schools
Collaborative Planning
In order to work with teachers to ensure that meaningful collaboration is taking place, I will be attending at least one Collaborative Planning session a month per grade/grade band throughout the remainder of the school.
The Look Fors:
Data discussion protocol that allows teachers to identify root causes, record student groups, identify strategies, discuss follow up process.
Lesson planning with evidence of data analysis.
Intervention Inventory
In an effort to ensure that all schools have appropriate Interventions for students with special needs, I will be visiting schools over the next several weeks to assist with locating Intervention materials.
Reminders:
Each Special Education teacher should have complete kits of appropriate Math and Literacy Interventions for their students.
Any student who is receiving Pull-Out service hours should be receiving an intervention during this time (e.g. Do the Math, Fundations, LLI, Spire, etc.)
Kathy's Corner
1. FBA/BIP clinics are available on a weekly basis. Schools can get one-on-one attention regarding a student with behavioral concerns at the school. Dates, times, and location are listed in PGS.
2. The PIELS (Prevention and Intervention for Early Learners) staff offer courses for staff and parents on the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management program. It has both a teacher and a parent component, which offers techniques, strategies, and supports that can be used at school and at home to help the Pre-K and K students learn to manage their emotions and behaviors. Schools with PIELS program who may be interested in the courses should contact their PIELS staff. Schools without the PIELS program, but who may be interested should contact James Padden for more information.