2009 Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children - American Institutes for Research Presentations

Members from several of the American Institutes for Research centers will give presentations during the CEC meeting, including staff from the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI); the National Center on Response to Intervention (RTI); the National High School Center (NHSC); and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd).

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the education of students who have disabilities and/or are gifted.

The following is a list of the subjects and times of presentations and posters involving AIR staff at the CEC conference.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Title: Technology-Supported Math Instruction for All Learners
From AIR: Tracy Gray, Heidi Silver-Pacuilla
   
Abstract: This session will feature a demonstration of the TechMatrix, a dynamic and searchable database, developed by AIR, of research-supported technology tools that aid in mathematics, reading, and writing instruction. The presentation will focus on mathematics and will draw on research and examples of professional development training that have been delivered to support math instruction.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Title: The Impact and Integration of Safe Schools, Healthy Students, PBIS, and Systems of Care
From AIR: Sandy Keenan
   
Abstract: This session will focus on national trends in safe schools, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), and systems of care. It will highlight successful outcomes and strategies gathered from sites who have implemented combined system reform agendas for students with emotional, behavioral, and social needs.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 9:45 am – 11:45 am
Title: Special Education Teacher Preparation: An Entity in Need of Identity
From AIR: Louis Danielson
   
Abstract: Approaches to special education teacher preparation have changed over time, and serious questions about defining and preparing quality special education teachers for the future have arisen due to changes in federal policy. Panelists will discuss how special education teacher preparation might be reconceptualized to improve teachers' professional identity and status.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Title: Embedding Data-Driven Decision Making in High School for Students With Disabilities
From AIR: Joseph Harris, Louis Danielson, Jessica Heppen, Mindee O’Cummings
   
Abstract: Data are playing an increasingly important role in the education of students with disabilities at the high school level. Some of this is no doubt due to the prominence that indicators now play in the federal and state monitoring under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) since the 2004 amendments. However, many secondary school innovations also incorporate data collection as a key feature of the program. This session will provide an overview of the indicator data that is being collected and also discuss the role data plays in some innovations that are currently receiving a great deal of attention in high school reform. This session will also serve as an introduction to the strand and the sessions that follow.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Title: Designing Dropout Prevention Strategies and Using Readily Available Data to Promote Retention of Students With Disabilities
From AIR: Joseph Harris, Louis Danielson, Jessica Heppen, Mindee O’Cummings
   
Abstract: The high school dropout problem has been called a national crisis, particularly for students with disabilities. This session will explore effective, research-based dropout prevention strategies for students with disabilities that involve developing early warning systems regarding who is most likely to drop out, and reaching those students with research-based interventions designed to keep them in school.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Title: Identifying and Implementing Academic, Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Tiered Intervention Frameworks to Benefit All Students
From AIR: Joseph Harris, Louis Danielson

Abstract: State and local education agencies are grappling with how to implement tiered interventions, such as response to intervention and positive behavioral interventions and supports, at the secondary level. This session will highlight the attributes of the approaches, describe high school models, identify potential barriers to implementation, and highlight successes experienced by early implementers based on case studies and literature reviews conducted by the National High School Center and the National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Title: 10 Tips to Get Your Message Heard
From AIR: Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

Abstract: This session offers project directors and team members insight into the essential, but sometimes overlooked, discipline of communications. Presenters will introduce a goal-driven method for creating Web sites that disseminate best practices, new ideas, research findings, and other information of interest to attendees.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Title: Integrating the Needs of Students With Disabilities Into the Complex World of High School Reform
From AIR: Joseph Harris, Louis Danielson
   
Abstract: Often when high schools embark upon school reform, the needs of students with disabilities are not specifically accounted for, nor are the successful strategies used in special education generalized to benefit all students. This session will explore how comprehensive school reform efforts can be inclusive of all students, focusing on issues of leadership, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and stakeholder involvement.

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Title: Response to Intervention: Helping Classrooms to Implement Best Practices   
From AIR: Jaclyn Bootel, Kathryn Drummond, Tessie Rose
   
Abstract: This session will highlight the resources available through the National Center on Response to Intervention’s Web site. The Web site offers numerous resources, including articles, PowerPoint presentations, and webinars on a variety of research-based topics, including learning disabilities identification, student screening tools, and student progress monitoring tools. The Web site is user-friendly and is searchable by topic, by stakeholders, and by subject area.

Friday, April 3, 2009, 9:45 am – 11:45 am
Title:Response to Intervention: Theory to Action
From AIR: Darren Woodruff, Amy Elledge, Tessie Rose, Stacia Rush
   
Abstract: An overview of response to intervention (RTI) from the federal perspective will be provided, followed by an introduction to the National Center on RTI. This introduction will include a summary of the resources and services available from the Center as well as highlights from specific technical assistance activities being implemented by states as they expand RTI initiatives.

Friday, April 3, 2009, 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
Title:Response to Intervention and Specific Learning Disabilities Identification: Policies Across the States
From AIR: Melissa Storm
   
Abstract: This session will present findings from a comprehensive review of state education agency Web sites and resources related to state policies on RTI implementation and LD identification. It will synthesize related state policy guidance, as well as evaluation of RTI models, and highlight states with innovative policy and technical assistance material.    

Friday, April 3, 2009, 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Title:Implementation by Design: What Does the Research Say?
From AIR: Heidi Silver-Pacuilla
   
Abstract: All Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)-funded research projects are dealing with the challenges of implementation. In consultation with the National Implementation Research Network, The Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd) synthesized the research on implementation with lessons learned from TA with districts across the country. In this session, the presenters will share their findings and discuss the implications with attendees.

Saturday, April 4, 2009, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Title:Town Hall Meeting on Response to Intervention
From AIR: Louis Danielson
   
Abstract: This session brings together national leaders in advocacy, research, policy, and teacher preparation. Each will briefly describe promises and challenges of RTI and implications for students with special needs and special education. Half the session will be devoted to audience participation.
 

Event Information

April 2, 2009
7:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET