Saturday workshop series

Register now! View PDF of 2007-08 brochure

Keeping Students Included: Strategies for Inclusive Education and Effective Classroom Management

Saturdays - October 13 & 27, 2007
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

This two-part series will focus on techniques that support students with significant disabilities to stay included and to participate in meaningful ways in general education (pre-K through 12) classrooms. Curricular, behavioral, social, and functional ideas will be explored.

Part 1 topics include differentiating curriculum and lesson planning, embedding functional skills, and collaborating with general educators, support staff, and other IEP Team members. Ways to encourage student self-advocacy skills and family involvement will be discussed. Part 2 will provide practical examples of positive behavioral supports and classroom management strategies, the development of social skills, and facilitating an inclusive community within the classroom. This session will conclude with a dialog on particular issues, concerns, and questions that participants raise.

Alan D. Ripp, M.Ed., is an inclusion specialist and elementary teacher for Newton Public Schools. He has served as a staff trainer on non-violent crisis prevention and as a teacher liaison to the School Council. Alan continues to serve as mentor of new teachers in the district. His forte is in conveying inclusive educational strategies that support students with significant disabilities, including students with autism spectrum disorders, to be fully included in general education classrooms.

University Hall, Room 3-094

Conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments and Writing Behavior Support Plans: Demystifying the Process

Saturdays - November 3 & 17, 2007
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

This two-part series will provide participants with a clear understanding of the Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) process, an enhanced ability to design and implement Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), and proactive ways of dealing with students who have challenging behaviors.

Part 1 will provide an overview of IDEA key provisions and focus on describing the critical steps involved in conducting an FBA, including how to define behaviors operationally, collect and summarize data, and develop hypotheses about the function of behaviors. Part 2 will focus on the essential components of a behavior support plan and case studies of students with challenging behaviors will be presented.

Dina A. Traniello, Ed.D., works with schools and families to support students with challenging behaviors in general education settings, conducting functional behavioral assessments and designing positive behavior supports.

Individual attendees are welcome; however, Dina especially recommends this series for teams of three or more (e.g., administrators, instructional assistants, general educators and special educators, school psychologists, behavior support professionals, and counselors).

University Hall, Room 3-094

Teaching Self-Advocacy: Youth Take the Lead in Educational Planning and Developing Inclusive Postsecondary Options

Saturdays - January 26 & February 9, 2008
9:00 am-3:00 pm

This two-part series will discuss integrating self-advocacy and leadership skills into transitional planning activities as youth move from middle school to high school and beyond. IEP/ITP development and DOE's newly mandated Transition Planning form will be discussed.

Part 1 will present the concept of youth development and the importance of teaching self-advocacy, self-determination, and leadership skills to middle and high school youth as part of a comprehensive transition process. State and Federal initiatives and national standards will be discussed. Part 2 will address the significance of student-directed IEPs, along with promising practices in career development and inclusive postsecondary education. Examples will highlight how schools and community agencies can prioritize self-advocacy and youth development to promote personal leadership.

Maria Paiewonsky, Ed.D., is an education specialist at the Institute for Community Inclusion/UMass Boston. She works with school-based teams to develop inclusive secondary and postsecondary options that support student and family preferences. Maria has pioneered the use of "photovoice," an evaluation method combining photography, narrative, and discussion to promote the concerns and interests of transition-aged youth with significant intellectual disabilities.

Nancy Hurley, M.S., is also an education specialist at ICI/UMass Boston, currently exploring inclusive postsecondary education options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She works with various state and community agencies to align services for all youth as they transition from school to adult life. Nancy conducts trainings on curriculum adaptation, differentiated instruction, alternate assessment, person-centered planning, and resource mapping.

University Hall, Room 3-094

Preventing Harassment, Bullying, and Hate Crimes in Schools: A Comprehensive Approach to Transforming School Climate

Saturdays - March 1 & 15, 2008
9:00 am -3:00 pm

This two-part series will provide participants with a clear understanding of how to recognize, respond to, and prevent harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, and hate crimes in schools.

Part 1 will provide an overview of the increasing problem of harassment, bullying, and hate crimes in K-12 schools and the relationship between school climate, safety, equity, social inclusion, and learning. Issues contributing to school conflicts, incidents of violence, and significant inter-group tensions will be highlighted. Part 2 will focus on the critical steps needed for transforming school climate. Case studies and practical steps in promoting positive race and ethnic relations, educational equity, and the social inclusion of all students will be discussed.

Richard W. Cole, Esq. is a nationally known civil rights attorney, and former Assistant Attorney General and Civil Rights Division Chief in the Massachusetts Office of Attorney General. Richard has worked with schools across the U.S., providing training in recognizing, responding to, and preventing harassment, bullying, and hate crimes.

University Hall, Room 3-094

For more information contact Susan Kando, 617-349-8260 or skando@lesley.edu