The number of Pennsylvania’s students with IEPs who spend the majority of their school day learning alongside peers without disabilities in general education classrooms is increasing annually. Research shows that students with and without disabilities benefit from learning together in inclusive schools and classrooms. School administrators play a critical role in structuring schools and classrooms where all students learn and grow together. We need your ideas, expertise and energy to improve current practices and policies. This symposium is designed to stimulate discussion among school administrators and will be led by Michael Remus, a nationally recognized leader in the field of inclusive education. The symposium will focus on inclusive practices for students with disabilities. Inclusive practices will include a look at student achievement and high expectations for all students through the legal process of service delivery of supports and services. The standards and outcomes for this session will include: Learning Outcomes (ISLLC Standards) Source: Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium. (1996). Standards for School Leaders. (Washington, D.C..: Council of Chief State School Officers). In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small dedicated group of people can change the world, in fact it is the only thing that ever has.” Please join our “small dedicated group” to change the world for children with disabilities in our school communities.
Standard 1: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all K-12 students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. Standard 2: A school administrator is an education leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. Standard 3: A school administrator is an education leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. Standard 4: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families, community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. Standard 5: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. Standard 6: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
School Leaders Symposium on Inclusive Education: COUNT ME IN PROGRAM
9:30 AM Introduction, Identified Outcomes and Needs Assessment 10:00 AM Great Expectations: Why we do inclusive practices and why we need to change how we do business. Activities will include defining inclusive practices, tools to change the school culture, how to rethink service delivery and how to provide support a staff going through systems change. 11:30 AM Individualizing Instruction: Participants will work on writing meaningful IEPs for students which will involve role playing an IEP. An activity called Real Students Real Solutions will give attendees ideas and strategies to make accommodations and modifications not only for an identified student but also to help all the students in the classroom. 12:15 PM Luncheon 1:00 PM Individualizing Instruction, continued 2:30 PM Techniques and Tools: Strategies participants can use not only to make the systems change in their school but how to help the district provide support to the school as they go through this change. This will give the school leaders the questions to ask of their school and district. 3:30 PM Evaluation and reflective thinking Registration There is no fee for participants who preregister by 5 PM on March 8, 2010. There is a $10 fee for on-site registration and registrations received after the deadline. Register on linehere.
Travel Information Air Travel -- Take advantage of USAirways’ and Southwest’s low airfares from Philadelphia. Book your flights early to get the lowest fares. Transportation To/From the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) Super Shuttle Airport Vans offer round trip service. Call 1-800-258-3826 for advance reservations or purchase tickets at Airport Ground Transportation. (Shuttle $39 one way, or $85 for 3 or more people) Driving The hotel is located a short distance from the intersection of the PA Turnpike and Interstate 79. There is ample free parking on site.
Meals Continental breakfast and lunch are included. Coffee and tea will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks. Please be sure to make a note on the registration form if you need a vegetarian meal or have other dietary restrictions. Persons requiring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) contact Melissa Allen 412-281-4404 x 913 or e-mail mallen@pealcenter.org to discuss needed accommodations.
FOURTH ANNUAL PEAL CONFERENCE, MARCH 16 & 17, 2010
School Leaders Symposium participants are encouraged to join us for the
Fourth Annual PEAL Conference “Building Communities of Peace, Harmony
and Respect”, March 16-17, 2010 at the Four Points by Sheraton
Pittsburgh North. We hope you will consider attending both the
Symposium and the Conference.
For more information and to register for the conference, click here.
