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Welcome to the official website for the 2024 TASH Conference!

Each year, the TASH Conference brings together our constituents to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The Conference is attended by passionate leaders, experts, and advocates from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees are influential in their fields and communities, and play an important role in the provision of services and supports for individuals and organizations around the world; and include professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; self-advocates, adult service providers; students, family members, and many others. This year’s conference theme is Celebrate Together: Let the Good Times Roll!

Click on the "Registration and More" tab for additional information about our Conference location, registration, reserving a guest room, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more!  The full Conference schedule is now available for viewing.  Registered attendees will receive an invitation to log in and create a personalized schedule.
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Thursday, December 5
 

9:00am CST

Quality Indicators of Inclusive School Leadership
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 11:30am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
This session will highlight the quality indicators of school and district leadership that promote and sustain inclusive schools. Participants will explore these indicators: 1) Communicate a Vision 2) Distributive Leadership among Team Members 3) Model and Plan for Collaboration/Co-Teaching 4) Use Data to Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan 5) Model and Encourage Inclusive Language and Practices An interactive process will be used to engage with each indicator using scenarios and examples from the experiences of leaders in districts and schools across the country. These scenarios will serve as the foundation for discussion, assessing readiness, and action planning toward realizing the full and meaningful inclusion of learners with disabilities in general education within their neighborhood schools. Participants will leave with an understanding of each indicator as well as a plan for implementation in their respective district and/or school.
Moderators
CT
Presenters
avatar for Brittni Sammons

Brittni Sammons

Professional Learning Coordinator, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Brittni joined MCIE in 2023 as a Professional Learning Coordinator after over 20 years in education with Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS). She has served as a Special Educator, Assistant Principal, Inclusive Education Facilitator, and Supervisor of Instructional Performance. Throughout... Read More →
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 11:30am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

9:00am CST

Inclusive Literacy Planning: Reaching all Learners through Universal Design
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A
In this interactive presentation, Inclusion Facilitators from New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education will guide participants through a thoughtful literacy planning process using the Universal Design for Learning framework. Participants will explore effective strategies for designing literacy instruction to meet the range of diverse learners in an inclusive general education setting. Participants will learn how inclusive design will enhance their teaching as well as how it will greatly impact student learning and progress. This session is applicable to all K-12 educators.
Moderators
SJ
Presenters
JL

Julie Lang

All In For Inclusive Education
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

9:00am CST

Overcoming Implementation Barriers: UDL for Adults
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
According to Everett Rogers “Diffusion of Innovations” we know that adults will not all implement change at the same time and in the same way. Instead of feeling frustrated or defeated by this fact, this session is designed to support leaders to plan for the variability of adults through applying and explicitly modeling the Universal Design for Learning. Participants will learn, network, and plan universally designed communication plans, universally design adult learning, and ensuring adults in their systems have multiple entry points for engaging improving and increasing inclusionary practices.
Moderators
CS
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

1:00pm CST

A Roadmap to Engaging & Accessible Inclusive Education
Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
In this session, participants will examine research surrounding inclusive practices and brainstorm how to address potential roadblocks for supporting inclusion of students with complex needs. Participants will understand how to better support all students with accessing the general education curriculum. An example of a planning process for breaking down standards into key components and engagement strategies will be explored for various subjects and grade levels. To solidify their knowledge, participants will be given a standard and student scenario, as well as the big ideas, essential vocabulary, and major skills. Participants will then work in small groups to select engagement strategies to support their student’s access and participation. Groups will share their selected engagement strategies with the whole group. Participants will create an engagement tool to be used with their students.
Moderators
CA

Constance Alphonse

LASARD Facilitator, Louisiana UCEDD
Presenters
CC

Chris Champagne

Program Facilitator, Louisiana UCEDD
AK

Ali Kowitz

Director of Education Transition and Community Initiatives, Louisiana UCEDD
JB

Jennifer Boyter

Louisiana UCEDD
Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

1:00pm CST

How Do We Build Equitable and Inclusive Education Systems?
Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
This workshop brings together national experts in creating a sustainable inclusive and equitable education system. This deep work requires a multi-level, multi-year focus on systemic and structural barriers that maintain current practices. While research such as implementation and improvement science offer strong structural guidance, the nuances and context of different states, districts, and schools require some individualization of approaches. Panelists will share research, best practices, and tools related to creating sustainable change while discussing differences in our approaches and options. High-level and practical insight will be shared in this highly interactive session.  

This presentation brings together national leaders in the field of system change. Christine Betchel, Jessica Bowman, Meghan Cosier, Patricia McDaid, Effie McMillian, Michael McSheehan, Diane Ryndak, Kurt Schneider, and Debbie Taub have been engaged with system change work throughout their careers. While there will be prepared materials and shared content, this colloquium allows for opportunities similar to a panel discussion to showcase the range of work, areas of focus, and different approaches to change. This will be an interactive session though there are specific times for audience questions..

Introduction to the topic (30 min)
Mini-case studies by each participant related to their work (1.5 hours total)
Commentary on big-picture levers and areas of agreement (30 min)
Panelist questions and discussion related to contextual differences (1 hour)
Audience questions (20 min)

Panelists will share case studies from their work to highlight contextualized levers and barriers in planning for and implementing sustainable systemic change. Key resources will be shared with participants. The goal of this colloquium is a lively discussion filled with practical guidance, debate, and audience engagement.
Presenters
avatar for Deborah Taub

Deborah Taub

Owner/CEO, OTL Education Solutions, LLC
Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

2:00pm CST

Building and Maintaining an Inclusive School Culture
Thursday December 5, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F
Inclusion is a practice that comes from the core value of wanting to include all students no matter where they are academically. Many school cultures inherently create barriers for inclusive practices - this workshop will help participants recognize these barriers, reflect on their core values, and rethink their educational goals. We will give participants the resources to change school cultures to promote and support inclusive practices. We seek to model specific tools, strategies, and activities throughout our workshop that participants can easily employ when they go back to “lead change” in their respective contexts and settings. Our 3 hour workshop session will be structured into different segments. Each segment will involve a collaborative activity that participants will complete with those seated around them. Ample movement, snack, and stretching breaks will also be provided throughout the session.
Moderators
KC
Presenters
avatar for Arielle Starkman

Arielle Starkman

Inclusive Education Consultant, ACS Creative LLC
Arielle is an Inclusive Education Consultant in Los Angeles, CA.  Over the past 10+ years, Arielle has been immersed in all things “Special Education"…from teaching, to leadership, to navigating the IEP process from the "parent side" for her 7-year-old stepson.  Her passion... Read More →
Thursday December 5, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives

3:00pm CST

School-Based Occupational Therapy Facilitating Inclusive Education: A Multiple Case Study
Thursday December 5, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
School-based occupational therapy practitioners (SBOTs) are invaluable for enabling inclusive participation for all students. However, existing literature highlights the need to shift from impairment-focused remedial approaches to inclusion-focused interventions. This presentation will discuss the findings of a qualitative multiple case study on inclusive OT practices in elementary schools for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN). The study addresses two critical needs in education: (1) providing skilled support to make general education environments accessible and engaging for all learners, and (2) aligning SBOT practices with contemporary educational demands for students most vulnerable to segregation. The practical insights from this study will help us rise together as a collaborative team to promote authentic inclusion in the school community.
Presenters
SS

Savitha Sundar

Texas Woman's University
Thursday December 5, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Day One Intensives
 
Friday, December 6
 

10:00am CST

Building Educator Capacity: Coaching for Inclusion of ALL Learners
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 8
What are the first steps in the journey toward living our courageous commitment to inclusive education? Experience how TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 partners with member districts to build capacity in educators to implement equitable inclusive practices for students with disabilities through professional learning and coaching. Coaches will share experiences from their work in several community districts. The presenters will celebrate the growth of students, educators, and systems at many different points in this journey. Participants will leave with collaborative structures, frameworks and processes that are applicable to teams and educational systems at the individual student, classroom, and building levels.
Moderators
MC

Mary-Kelsey Coletto

TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
Presenters
DR

Danielle Ritchey

TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
avatar for Amanda Barton

Amanda Barton

TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
CK

Claire Kelley

TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
TJ
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Centering Student Impact Through Inclusionary Instructional Leadership
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Foster 1
The Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN) is a dynamic, systems-level effort to eliminate exclusionary practices for all students in Washington state, with a focus students experiencing the most exclusion. While many students with disabilities have benefited from Washington's increased investment in inclusionary practices, state data show that Black students and students with IDD are still disproportionately excluded from general education. The IPTN is committed to addressing these inequities by explicitly targeting systems and practices that limit choice and opportunity these students. By braiding federal IDEA and state special education funds, IPTN has co-constructed a collaborative of statewide professional organizations to support inclusionary outcomes focusing systems changes in service of students furthest from educational justice. IPTN is more than a network of providers; it's a transformative force shaping the future of inclusive instructional leadership.
Moderators
avatar for Cassie Martin

Cassie Martin

Executive Director of Special Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Dr. Cassie Martin is WA state’s Executive Director of Special Education at OSPI. For over 25 years, Cassie has dedicated her professional life and learning to equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities in support of strong educational outcomes for all students... Read More →
Presenters
JK
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Foster 1 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Creating Inclusive School Communities in an Urban Turnaround District
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5C
Attention all urban educators and administrators! Please join us as we present and discuss the systems change process underway in our district , with special emphasis on the challenges of creating inclusive school communities in a struggling urban school district with a large number of segregated special education classrooms. Our district has just completed Year 1 of our work on systems change for inclusive education. We would love to connect with other educators doing similar work to share ideas, strategies, and successes.
Presenters
PM
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Empowering Diverse Families and Enhancing Advocacy During the IEP Process
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
Our research centers on historically marginalized families and their experiences during the IEP process, emphasizing the need for opportunities for advocacy and participation. School-based teams need to approach collaboration with families from an asset-based approach (Sauer & Rossetti, 2020) and educators can learn from practices associated with cultural humility to inform their relationships with diverse families (Trainor, 2010). We conducted semi-structured interviews with families and caregivers to gather first-hand accounts of their experience with decision-making and advocacy during IEP development. In particular, we asked participants how they were able to provide input on placements and services for their child. We will present our findings from a qualitative analysis and share the online resources that we developed to empower families by increasing their understanding of special education terminology, their rights under IDEA, and their confidence in advocating for their child.
Presenters
avatar for Katie McCabe

Katie McCabe

Assistant Professor, Buffalo State University
Katie McCabe is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State University, with a Ph.D. in Special Education and a minor in Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A former special education teacher in rural Upstate New... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Raise Inclusive Kids
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5A
Everyone can be working on inclusive practices in their home or classroom. Whether you know someone with a disability or you don't. Disability is the only minority group that every single person can be a part of at some point in their life. This presentation will give steps for everyone to actively take in their community, resources to share with others, and a place to problem solve together what their specific barriers are. As a former special education teacher, now mom of 2, this has become a priority for me to raise inclusive kids. Educate children on how to support each other, celebrate our differences, and not focus on what is fair but how we can all be included.
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

The Role of An Inclusive Education Coach During Systemic Change
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5D
Using a constructivist grounded theory approach to interpret data collected through interviews, shadowing with field notes, and documents, this study begins to illuminate the role of an inclusive education coach working within an ongoing, successful district-wide systemic change endeavor to include students with extensive support needs (ESN) in regular education classrooms. The findings of this study begin with the experiences and qualities of the coach gleaned from interviews and shadowing experiences. Next, the preliminary theory that emerged from this study illustrates the coach's use of eight concurrent strategies that enable him to understand the context and build capacity at the classroom, school, district, and state levels of the education system to increase the membership, participation, and learning of students with ESN. Finally, additional implications derived from this study are discussed, which might assist districts in considering the use of coaching for systemic change.
Presenters
DB

Dale Baker

St. Bonaventure University
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

The Social Impact of An Inclusive Dance Program
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F
Given the framework of the Contact Hypothesis, the We Dance Together program seeks to decrease bias and increase familiarity and acceptance between students with and without disabilities. This program was the subject of a mixed methods single case study investigating the social impact of program participation. Three groups of second grade students were included in the study in order to evaluate different qualities and quantities of contact: the intervention group, control group with contact, and a control group without contact. Results indicated significantly increased levels of favorability and an emerging desire to "play with" students with complex communication needs for the intervention group.
Presenters
avatar for Robin Schulz

Robin Schulz

North College Hill City Schools
I am a school-based Speech and Language Pathologist, Adjunct Instructor at the University of Cincinnati, and Ohio Ambassador for Charting the LifeCourse. I earned my Doctor of Education degree from the University of Findlay where I completed my dissertation study of We Dance Together... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Using the SDLMI to Enhance Teacher Teacher Goal Setting for Inclusive Education
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5B
The current study describes how two teacher preparation programs used the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) with 57 teachers to empower them to set goals, take action, and evaluate and adjust their goals and action plans to enhance their practices and supports provided to students. We analyzed the goals set by teachers to improve their inclusive teaching skills and practices, the quality of teacher goals, teacher goal attainment, and whether goal quality predicted goal attainment. We found that most teachers set goals that required a team approach. Teachers generally created high-quality goals, with teachers making expected or better-than expected progress on their goals. Teacher goal quality was predictive of goal attainment. We discuss how teacher preparation programs can use the SDLMI to support teachers in creating their own goals, measuring their goal progress, and improving their implementation of essential and best practices to advance inclusive education.
Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Kurth

Jennifer Kurth

Professor, University of Kansas
Inclusive Education
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

A History, Growth, and Success of A Fully Inclusive, K-8, School Community
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celstin Ballroom: Celestin F
This presentation will illustrate the inception through current day practices of an inclusive, K-8 school community; including roadblocks, missteps, small and large successes. The presenters will introduce you to how each stakeholder (students, families, practitioners, community) contributed to the development and growth of a school where students of all ages and abilities can be immersed in meaningful and relevant learning in a safe and supportive environment inclusive of all learners.
Presenters
JK

John Kershaw

Director of Special Edication, Meeting Street
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celstin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Leveraging Universal Design for Learning to Improve Student Behavior
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5B
This workshop is designed to empower educators with the principles and practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment. Participants will gain an understanding of the updated UDL Guidelines and their role in promoting desirable student behavior across diverse educational settings. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to create a more inclusive and behaviorally supportive learning environment for all students.
Presenters
avatar for Kelley Correio

Kelley Correio

Inclusionary Practices Coordinator, Educational Service District 123
I have spent the past 5 years as part of a staewide team committed to supporting educators and school leaders with developing and implementing sustainable systems, structures, and practices that support all students with meaningful access and engagement in inclusive learning envi... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Preparing Preservice Teachers for Inclusion Through Introductory Special Education Course
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5C
As more students with disabilities are included in general education settings, there is a growing need for enhanced preservice teacher training for inclusive practices. Especially, an introductory special education course is given greater emphasis due to the mandatory enrollment requirements for preservice teachers in most teacher preparation programs. To inform the development of this course that prepares teachers to provide inclusive education, a Delphi study will be completed to query experts on critical elements of the course syllabus (i.e., purpose, course contents, assignments) considered important by them to facilitate inclusion. The content analysis of 22 syllabi was conducted to develop the initial survey items. Consensus will be reached through multiple rounds of surveys. Results and implications for future research and practice will be discussed.
Presenters
avatar for Geonhwa Kim

Geonhwa Kim

Doctoral Student, University of Kansas
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Revisiting Equitable Opportunities to Learn
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Foster 2
This session highlights new research on the importance of context in providing equitable opportunities to learn (OTL). Our original work highlighted how the concept of OTL in general education literature was missing components to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities. We proposed the use of Universal Design for Learning and attention to individualized needs within the OTL framework to better define access to the general curriculum and to consider the specific aspects of equitable learning opportunities to improve access and outcomes for students with complex support needs. While our original work alluded to context and placement, we did not address it directly. The updated OTL extends our understanding of how to advocate for inclusive practices by bringing together UDL 3.0 and new research on the importance of context for equitable learning opportunities.
Presenters
MF

Megan Foster

Utica University
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

The Unique Attributes of Parents Who Advocate for Inclusive Education
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
This study aims to investigate the unique qualities that create opportunities for parents of students with multiple support needs to advocate for inclusive education settings. All humans need to connect and feel that they belong, and their unique human capital is used to attain a desired outcome. When a parent is part of an IEP team, these needs are not any different; belonging is needed to feel part of that team truly and for collaboration to occur. As this study investigates the phenomenon of parental qualities, the theoretical frameworks of the 10 Dimensions of Belonging by Carter (2021 & 2020) and Yosso's Community Cultural Capital (2005) will be used. What are the distinctive attributes of parents of children with multiple support needs that equip them to be advocates for inclusive education settings?
a) How do parents acquire these distinctive attributes?
b) How does possessing these qualities impact advocacy in the IEP process?
Moderators
MM
Presenters
avatar for Robin Dodds

Robin Dodds

Associate Professor of Early Childhood Special Education, California State University LA
My primary research interests focus on supporting families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related Developmental Disabilities in two ways; through Parent to Parent social support and through parent-mediated interventions for social communication. Additionally... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Understanding Family Experiences with Section 504 for their Autistic Children
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 9
Extant literature has focused mainly on access to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) without addressing Section 504 of the American Rehabilitation Act. Over 1.38 million students are served by Section 504 in schools, yet little is known about their experiences. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of families of autistic children with Section 504 in schools. Altogether, 21 families participated in individual interviews about their initial experiences accessing Section 504, their input into the Section 504 plan, and the implementation of the Section 504 plan. The few families who reported positive experiences with Section 504 reported having supportive school professionals. Unfortunately, most participants reported negative experiences including the school being unwilling to provide accommodations. Implications include the need to develop and test an advocacy program for families and youth with disabilities to improve access to Section 504.
Presenters
avatar for RaeAnne Lindsay

RaeAnne Lindsay

Coordinator for Section 504 project, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Video Prompting Adaptive Skills for Preschool Students with Disabilities
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
Adaptive skills are important skills for students with significant disabilities to learn to help be more independent in the classroom. The purpose of this study is to see if preschool students can learn adaptive skills via video prompts and if the skill can be maintained once the video prompts are removed. Findings showed that all three students were able to make positive progress in learning their adaptive skill using video prompts. Two of the students reached the maintenance phase and both were able to remove the video prompts and maintain the learned skill. These two students also showed an interest in wanting to swipe through and start their own videos during the intervention. Therefore, video prompts also have the possibility of helping students become more independent, which leads to more or continued inclusion with their peers and by being included are in more diverse classrooms.
Presenters
avatar for Kaitlyn Viera

Kaitlyn Viera

Doctoral Candidate, Ohio State University
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Why Mix Methods? Iterative Development of A Peer Network Intervention
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5A
Mixed methods designs are gaining traction in research for inclusive education, but there are still few examples of how mixed methods can inform intervention development. Learn how our team has used mixed and multi-methods research to develop an intervention that promotes social communication, language, and peer relationships for elementary-aged students with autism who are nonspeaking or have limited speech. Participants will learn about the components of the Enhanced Peer Network intervention, which include: (a) communication access through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), (b) storybook lessons to promote social-emotional development for students with and without disabilities, and (c) support for peers and students with disabilities to promote social communication and engagement during play. Participants will also learn about the powerful roles mixed methods research can play in successfully bridging research-to-practice.
Presenters
avatar for Elizabeth Biggs

Elizabeth Biggs

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University
Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and a member of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Her work focuses on promoting social, communication, language, and literacy outcomes for children and youth with autism... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Writing Together: Small Group Writing Instruction for Students with IDD
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
In this engaging presentation, presenters will discuss past research on writing instruction for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and describe two recent studies on the effectiveness of an intervention package including constant time delay, sentence frames, and technology-assisted instruction on: (a) writing within a shared story reading and (b) small group writing instruction for students with IDD. Additionally, we will provide teachers with writing examples that can be implemented in their classrooms without the need for additional funding.
Presenters
avatar for Fred Spooner

Fred Spooner

Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Fred Spooner is Professor of Special Education at UNC Charlotte. Dr. Spooner has researched and written about instructional strategies for students with severe disabilities since the 1980s. Recently, he has focused on alternate assessment and linking both assessment and instruction... Read More →
TW
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Comparing Literacy Programs for Nonspeaking Students with Extensive Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Foster 2
In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we tested two reading curricula designed to teach early literacy skills to nonspeaking students—Early Literacy Skills Builder and Accessible Literacy Learning. Twenty-four participants were randomized to an ELSB, ALL, or control group, and we measured outcomes for all groups at 4 time points for phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and word reading. We used growth curve modeling to analyze our data. We found statistically significant effects for both ELSB and ALL compared to the control group on some outcomes, although ELSB outperformed ALL on most measures. We will report on effects of each intervention relative to each other and a control group, and share practical implications for practitioners.
Presenters
avatar for Matthew Brock

Matthew Brock

Associate Professor, Ohio State University
Matt Brock has two major lines of research including (1) inclusion and peer-mediated intervention for students with significant disabilities, and (2) coaching paraprofessionals to implement evidence-based practices. He currently is implementing a large-scale federally-funded efficacy... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Educational Placements Predictors: Intersectional Analysis of Students with Complex Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 8
This study sheds light on potential inequities in student outcomes perpetuated by current disability labeling and placement systems, particularly for historically marginalized students. We used multi-level linear modeling to explore how student characteristics and their intersections affect the educational placement of public school students who received special education services in Utah across 6-years. Students’ eligibility for the state alternate assessment based on significant cognitive disability (SCD) had the strongest negative effect on educational placement, followed by disability labels often associated with complex support needs (i.e., multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, autism). The placement patterns of students of color and White students across autism and intellectual disability labels were reversed and disproportionate, suggesting White families have greater access to knowledge of relative resources and stigma associated with different disability labels.
Presenters
avatar for Kristen Lansey

Kristen Lansey

Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
Kirsten Lansey (she/her), Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of special education. Her overarching goal is to conduct research, teaching, and service that contributes to systemic educational change so that students with complex support needs receive inclusive and equitable learning... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

How to: Anti-Ableist, Respectful, and Student-Centered Evaluation
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 5B
We have created tools for students, families, and professionals that help leverage the IDEA evaluation process to not simply establish eligibility for Special Education, but as a guide to an IEP team, to a school, or even to a school district on how to support learners with extensive support needs in general education in a way that centers and respects the student and guarantees meaningful access, progress and engagement, is anti-ableist, and sets up the foundation for authentic relationships. There is a way to use the mandated documentation in anti-ableist, respectful, and strength-driven ways that center the student and their preferences, meaningful engagement, and authentic relationships, reframe the evaluation process as more humanistic, inclusive, empowering, and authentic, and that will help the evaluation team to reframe their ideas of Disability and Special Education.
Presenters
TK

Taina Karru-Olsen

Inclusion For ALL
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 5B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Navigating Inclusive College-Successes and Challenges
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F
This presentation documents the experiences of students with intellectual disabilities who participated in an inclusive college program in a university in western United States. The students will share their experiences in various classes, both academic and social. They will discuss the support provided by peer mentors, faculty, and other staff and the challenges they faced during their college experience. Additionally, they will offer their input to improve the program.
Presenters
avatar for Sudha Krishnan

Sudha Krishnan

Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, San Jose State University
Sudha’s research is focused on how literacy practices using pedagogies based on socio-cultural theory like multiliteracies provide challenging and empowering education for students with disabilities. She is interested in interrogating the deficit thinking surrounding students with... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Patterns and Predictors of Special Education Program Placement for Students with Disabilities in Ontario, Canada
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
Placement in the general education classroom is critical for ensuring the inclusion of students with disabilities in schools. However, several variables (e.g., student age, school district type) have been implicated as potentially influencing classroom placement decisions despite established protocols guiding the process. Due to the non-public nature of disability-related data in Canada, little is known about the patterns and trends characterizing classroom placement in this context. This study analyzed special education program placement data provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education to describe the extent to which students with 13 disability types have accessed their education in general education classroom placements over time. Discussion focuses on implications for both policy and practice.
Presenters
avatar for Haley Clark
JS
AM
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Preservice Teachers: Dissonant Beliefs About Including Students with ESN
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 5A
While inclusion in the general education classroom for students with extensive support needs (ESN) leads to significantly better academic, social, and behavioral outcomes, rates of full inclusion for this population remain low. Pre- and in-service teachers’ beliefs affect the placement in–and ultimately the efficacy of–inclusion for students with ESN. This systematic literature review synthesizes extant empirical studies that explore preservice general education teachers’ belief systems towards the inclusion of students with ESN. Findings highlight the dissonance that many preservice general education teachers feel, the interpretability of the least restrictive environment mandate, and the need for term stabilization (e.g., beliefs; ESN) in research questions about this topic. Implications for teacher education and systems change are discussed.
Presenters
avatar for Katie Baulier

Katie Baulier

Boston University
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Promoting Inclusivity Through A Critique of Fictional Children's Literature
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 10
Learners need to be accurately reflected in their curriculum in myriad ways as it reinforces the development of positive self-identity and helps them make deeper connections with content. Culturally responsive practice emphasizes ethnic diversity while overlooking disability culture thereby contributing to ongoing stigmatization and marginalization. To avoid perpetuating stereotypes, fictional characterizations of those with disabilities must be carefully critiqued, especially when utilized by those with ableist notions. Thus, the results of a study will be shared in which a focus group evaluated fictional picture books featuring characters with visual impairment using a specially designed rubric to critique inclusivity attributes. Stereotypes, relationships, interactions, psychosocial adjustment, representation, inclusiveness, interdependence, reciprocity, equality, acceptance, and empathy were analyzed. Emerging themes and essential elements of quality literature were also evaluated.
Presenters
LM

Loana Mason

New Mexico State University
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:15pm CST

Transforming Kindergarten: Inclusive Education for Students with Extensive Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
This presentation explores a school district's systemic efforts to implement inclusive education practices for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) starting from kindergarten. The research highlights the strategic use of natural transitions, such as the entry into kindergarten, as pivotal moments for initiating systemic change. The study is framed by the Quality Implementation Framework (QIF) and implementation science, offering a structured approach to examining and enacting systemic changes. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with district administrators, teachers, and parents; observations of kindergarten classrooms; and analysis of district policy documents and meeting minutes. This comprehensive approach allowed for an in-depth examination of the systemic changes implemented and their impact on the inclusion of students with ESN. Attendees will gain practical strategies and insights to promote inclusive practices within their own contexts.
Presenters
KA
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

2:30pm CST

"Why Do I Have to Teach Him?" Navigating Systemic Barriers to Academic Education for Students with I/DD
Friday December 6, 2024 2:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom E
Navigating the educational landscape for my children and advocating for other students with I/DD has been fraught with systemic barriers that perpetuate segregation and limit academic opportunities. As a parent and advocate for inclusive education, I've witnessed discriminatory practices that funnel students with I/DD into reductive life skills paths based solely on their disability classification, denying them an academic education.  Drawing from personal experiences, I aim to unveil the harsh realities and challenges in advocating for inclusive education within a system that defaults to low expectations for students with I/DD. The exclusionary experiences of these students are masked within data presented to the California Department of Education (CDE) and other State Departments of Education, perpetuating invisibility and marginalization.  My presentation will shed light on these issues and offer actionable insights and strategies from years of advocacy efforts.
Presenters
KL
Friday December 6, 2024 2:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom E Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  TASH Talks

2:30pm CST

The Sound of Inclusion: Using Podcasts to Shift Perceptions about Inclusive
Friday December 6, 2024 2:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom E
As a medium of storytelling and information dissemination, podcasts hold immense power in shaping public discourse and perceptions. When it comes to inclusive education, they offer a unique platform to highlight diverse voices and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of inclusivity in learning environments. Through engaging narratives and expert interviews, podcasts can dismantle preconceived notions and play a pivotal role in advocating for educational reforms that accommodate all learners. They serve as a beacon of awareness and a catalyst for change, inspiring communities to embrace and support inclusive practices. In this TASH talk, I will underscore the transformative potential of podcasts in promoting positive attitudes toward inclusive education, thereby contributing to a more equitable society.
Moderators
TV
Friday December 6, 2024 2:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom E Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  TASH Talks

3:25pm CST

A Content Analysis of Research: Inclusion in State-Adopted General Education Standards in General Education Classrooms
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
The presenters will share the results of a literature search and content analysis related to research and strategies for including students with extensive support needs (ESN), and/or complex multiple disabilities, in the state-adopted general education standards within general education classrooms. After the analysis, presenters will provide participants with points of issues for discussion regarding future directions for improving research related to students with ESN.
Presenters
avatar for Kathy Gee

Kathy Gee

Professor, California State University, Sacramento
inclusive education, meaningful access to core curriculum; augmentative communication; PBIS; elementary and secondary education; resaerch
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:25pm CST

From Experience to Empowerment
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A
This session includes a collaborative presentation with a self-advocate and a teacher educator. The session will begin with a first-hand account of the educational experiences of a non-speaking and Autistic individual in both inclusive and self-contained settings, in both a specialized school and in public schools. These educational experiences have informed a list of suggested practices for general educators, special education teachers, and paraeducators on how to best include and challenge students with complex communication needs in the general education classroom. The session will conclude with information on how to leverage voices from the local disability community by inviting self-advocates to present in university courses that are aimed to prepare inclusive-minded educators.
Presenters
avatar for Katie McCabe

Katie McCabe

Assistant Professor, Buffalo State University
Katie McCabe is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State University, with a Ph.D. in Special Education and a minor in Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A former special education teacher in rural Upstate New... Read More →
LC
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:25pm CST

He Belongs As He Is: Collective Visions of Authentic Inclusion
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Imperial 9
Despite extensive research demonstrating the positive effects of inclusion for students with Intellectual Disability (ID) in general education, rates of full inclusion for this population remain low. Key components of successful inclusion include leadership that is committed to inclusive pedagogy and a shared vision across all stakeholders, including school staff, family, and community members. This qualitative study analyzes stakeholders’ definitions of inclusion at Sunshine Community Charter (SCC), a public charter (PK-6) whose mission is full, equitable inclusion for all, including those with ID, multilingual learners, and those with multiply-marginalized identities. Using Danforth & Naraian’s (2015) Foundational Priorities for Inclusive Education as a framework for authentic inclusion, our findings demonstrate a streamlined, viable vision for inclusive pedagogy, environments, values, and belongingness for all learners. Implications for systems and policy change are discussed.
Presenters
avatar for Katie Baulier

Katie Baulier

Boston University
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:25pm CST

Inclusive Education Partnerships: Collaborating to Create Curriculum Access
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
This presentation will explore the development and implementation of a partnership between UNLV’s Office of General Curriculum Access (OGCA) and the Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Inclusive Education (OIE). The collaboration aims to promote inclusive education by providing access to the general curriculum and a continuum of needed supports and services for students with extensive support needs. The OIE works to raise expectations and improve educational and employment outcomes for all students with disabilities through collaborative efforts with state and local partners. Through a partnership with the OIE, the OGCA provides educators with grade-aligned and standards-based curriculum materials, academic and behavioral support resources, and effective professional development. This session will share the challenges, strategies, and successes of the partnership and will provide attendees with actionable insights into creating similar collaborations in their own contexts.
Presenters
JB

Joshua Baker

Professor/Researcher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational and Clinical Studies
JB
CB

Catherine Bacos

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:25pm CST

Special Needs Vouchers Silence the Right to Inclusive Education
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Imperial 5B
The right to education in the least restrictive environment is at the foundation of IDEA. This research-based presentation examines how students with disabilities are losing this right and segregated through voucher programs. The study focused on three of the largest special needs voucher programs in the United States: those in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. These programs and the largest private special education schools within these states were found to be silent on the right to education in the LRE. Descriptions and analysis of how this occurs will show that special needs vouchers are manipulatively framed to undermine inclusive education. Neighborhood schooling and inclusion are rendered invisible and invalid through the “manipulative silences” of “choice” policy. This analysis draws connections between historical segregation, neoliberal ideology and the rhetoric of market choice. Implications regarding segregation, equity, and education policy will be discussed.
Presenters
KH

Kathy Hulgin

University of Cincinnati Clermont College
Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Imperial 5B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Celebrate Together: Building Collaboration Towards Inclusion!
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5C
This session discusses research about how collaboration instruction during teacher education can impact the ability of general and special educators to work with one another to create more inclusive and effective classrooms. We will discuss course design and collaboration best practices and look at data from the course that shows the positive impacts of the experience on preservice teachers and K-12 students including nuances associated with teacher understanding and practices of collaboration.
Presenters
avatar for Emily Evanstein

Emily Evanstein

Assistant Professor, Linfield University
Hello everyone! I am excited to be attending TASH this year! I am an Assistant Professor and the Special Education Endorsement Coordinator at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. I am excited to share the work I do in teacher education and learn from others as well! I would... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Community Conversations: A Tool for Campus Collaboration, Inclusion and Action
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 11
One complexity of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programming is fostering campus-wide collaboration to enhance inclusion. In response to this, the Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has adapted and employed the World Cafe Model as a formidable tool to facilitate community conversations. The World Cafe Model brings together stakeholders to explore a current barrier, elicit solutions, and potential action steps. During this presentation, OIPE will describe how they facilitate these community conversations, ensure inclusive representation, and share outcomes of key community conversations around employment, academic engagement, and inclusive practices in Title IX and Conduct processes on campus.
Presenters
avatar for April Regester

April Regester

Department Chair, Associate Professor - Inclusive Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Evaluating Impact of AA-AAAS 1% Cap Pursuit on Inclusive Education
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5A
The Every Student Succeeds Act indicated alternate assessments (AA) are for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Given the federal government actions to enforce the 1% state cap for AA participation, many students who previously took the alternate assessment are now taking the general state assessment. That means these students must be placed in the general classroom to learn the state standard curriculum. This presents a challenge to educators in educating students who may have been instructed according to modified curriculum and alternate achievement standards. This presentation will discuss results from a mixed methods study including a secondary data analysis, classroom observation, and teacher interview group to determine student characteristics and successes and challenges educators face when teaching students who have moved from the AA to the general assessment. Implications for policy and practice will be discussed. Related tools and resources will be shared.
Moderators
YW

Yi-Chen Wu

Research Associate, National Center on Educational Outcomes / University of Minnesota
Dr. Wu is an experienced psychometrician and the statistical expert for the National Center on Educational Outcomes. She has been working with large-scale assessment data since 2000. She has also had experience on analyzing state-wide assessment datasets and different types of da... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Involving Special Education Teachers in Math Research and Curriculum Development
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 12
Teachers can play a vital role in curriculum development and refinement. This presentation highlights recent mixed methods research on a teacher-implemented multiplicative word problem-solving intervention for students with extensive support needs (ESN) in small groups. We examined the involvement of special education teachers in iterative curriculum development through a multi-year embedded experimental study. Using quantitative data from a multiple-baseline across classrooms single-case design and qualitative data from interviews and observations, we evaluated whether an established evidence-based practice remained effective when implemented by teachers in routine conditions and assessed its usability, feasibility, and acceptability. The presentation will share student outcomes but primarily focus on teachers' perceptions and roles in the research and curriculum development process.
Presenters
avatar for Jenny Root

Jenny Root

Assistant Professor, Florida State University
Jenny would like to talk to you about general curriculum access, teaching math to students with autism/intellectual disability, and how teachers make instructional decisions for students with extensive support needs. Jenny was the 2015 TASH Alice Hayden award winner.
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Reimagining Teacher Preparation: Forging A New Path
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
The stagnant rate of inclusion placements for students with significant support needs remains alarming. Teacher educators play an essential role in preparing teacher candidates to shift outdated practices and implement inclusive practices. As teacher educators, we experience numerous barriers in preparing teacher candidates (Olson & Roberts, 2017). However, teacher educators must be creative and resilient as they work to persist past barriers (Olson & Roberts, 2020). Instead of focusing on the barriers, we sought to envision another way to prepare teacher candidates. The purpose of this study was to learn about what special education teacher educators can do in their role to help shift how teacher candidates are being prepared to include students with significant support needs in K-12 schools. We conducted a focus group with special education teacher educators, who are new to teacher preparation, to gauge their perspectives on avenues for change and steps to get there.
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:35pm CST

Social-Emotional Skills Impact on Future Reading Achievement for Students with Disabilities
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
A secondary data analysis using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Kindergarten 2011 (ECLS:K 2011), explored the impact of social-emotional skills (SEL) on reading achievement over time for students with disabilities. We found working memory predicts achievement. but no statistically significant differences in achievement or SEL skills across different disability categories.
Presenters
SH

Sarah Hudler

The Ohio State University
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

5:45pm CST

Adapting ELA Texts for Students with Complex Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Adapted books can serve as a support for students with complex support needs in general education classes. However, creating adapted books can be difficult for a special education teacher with a demanding schedule. Therefore, this session presents a feasible and efficient process for creating adapted books extended from the guidelines originally developed by Apitz et al. (2017). This process begins with special educators becoming familiar with the story through summarizing and outlining the original text. Next, collaboration with the general education teacher is recommended to identify the essential themes and key vocabulary. Special educators are encouraged to follow the book's plot structure and use visual supports, such as images or videos, based on key events in the text. Also included in this session are suggestions on how teachers can more effectively and efficiently adapt books using modern technology tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E.
Presenters
avatar for Roxanne Loyless

Roxanne Loyless

Doctoral Student, The University of Kansas
Roxanne Loyless is a second-year Ph.D. student in Special Education at The University of Kansas. Her research interests center on inclusive education practices, strategies, and supports for students with significant support needs.
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Breaking Down Barriers: Strategies on How to Create an Inclusive PE Class
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Teachers face a number of challenges when working with students with disabilities to achieve inclusion for PE. Simple placement of students with disabilities is not sufficient to ensure that the needs of those students are met or that the environment is truly inclusive. Several factors must be considered and addressed to achieve true inclusion: a lack of experience in working with children having disabilities and a limited understanding of barriers that may prevent full participation. During this session, we will identify barriers and how to remove them. different strategies and techniques to create a more inclusive PE setting and provide a variety of modifications that will work for all students.
Presenters
LB
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Celebrating Authentic Experiences that Enhance Appreciation of Diversity
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
This session presents information on a pilot program for undergraduates enrolled in a teacher education program. Teaching candidates have the opportunity to participate with faculty mentors and peers in a very engaging format. This project is designed to supplement learning and broaden one’s perspective of teaching students who have disabilities and to enhance one’s understanding and appreciation for different cultures, attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives. It is a culmination of what teacher candidates learned in terms of accessibility and inclusion as well as reflecting upon the themes of cultural humility and knowledge. A major part of cultural humility is understanding and analyzing your own reactions in a thoughtful and intentional way, which includes being tolerant, respectful, curious, and empathetic towards other cultures. Thus, teacher candidates self-reflect upon a series of related experiences by examining all aspects of events and experiences from different perspectives.
Presenters
RS
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Decrease SIB Behaviors with Students with Extensive Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
This poster defines what self-injurious behaviors are and how to modify behaviors to decrease these behaviors with students with extensive support needs. Students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) often display self-injurious behaviors (SIB), which is defined as any occurrence where an individual engages in hitting or slapping themselves by making a connection with any part of their body with a closed or open fist or banging head to make an audible sound. This behavior also includes pinching, scratching, or biting, any instance where on the skin it leaves a mark or breaks the skin, causing bleeding. Understanding this behavior can lead to better support for students and opportunities for them to be involved in more inclusive educational settings.
Presenters
SG
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Good Intentions Aren't Enough: Dismantling Ableism Within the Walls of Our Classrooms
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Many autistic adults express dissatisfaction with their K-12 school experiences and face social rejection more often than their non-autistic peers. However, autistic youth’s voices are rarely included in educational research or policy-making. In this study, we examined autistic people’s perceptions of ableism in American K-12 school systems through interviews with 19 autistic adolescents and adults in a qualitative, community-participatory study. We found seven major themes in these interviews: Erasure Conformity Isolation Oppression Hidden curriculum Misaligned school priorities Authority Our research highlights the systemic barriers autistic people face in educational settings that either go unnoticed or are intentionally ignored. We examine the impact of said barriers on outcomes and experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Specifically, we examine these themes’ negative impacts on identity formation, self-advocacy, and self-acceptance for autistic student
Presenters
BV
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Inclusion Opportunities at Secondary Schools: Stakeholder Perspectives
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Students with IDD are not typically included in school engagement for both academic and social activities. Though laws seek to encourage inclusive education for all students, at the Secondary School level, inclusion is lacking due to academic expectations in the classroom, social opportunities, buy in from both staff and fellow students, and because of typical expectations and norms in a public high school.  In order to remedy this problem, we propose that school stakeholders work together in order to create inclusion opportunities for all students.  This presentation discusses inclusion successes and perspectives held by a variety of stakeholders: teachers, related service providers, students with and without disabilities, parents, and school administrators. A call to action is offered for all stakeholders to find innovative, intentional, and joyful opportunities for true engagement for all students.  
Presenters
SE

Sarah Espanol

George Mason University
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Literacy Goals and Attainment for Students with Limited Speech
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
All students benefit from comprehensive literacy instruction. Literacy instruction is especially important for students with disabilities who have limited speech because aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices rely on printed language for communication. When students use aided AAC without literacy skills, they depend on the words and symbols provided by others. With literacy skills, students can say anything they want with only 26 letters of the alphabet. This poster will present research focused on the nature of literacy-focused individualized education program (IEP) goals of elementary-aged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were nonspeaking or had limited speech. We analyzed IEP goals for 36 elementary students with limited speech, exploring (a) the nature of literacy goals and (b) how parents viewed these goals. We will share findings and provide guidance to ensure access across literacy domains.
Presenters
RG

Rebecca Gianforte

Vanderbilt University
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

MCIEA Sense of Belonging: Foundation for Authentic Inclusion
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Belonging is the feeling that we are part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us. What is the role of belonging when promoting a successful inclusive school experience? What does brain research tell us about our reactions to inclusion and exclusion? How do we create a school culture where adults and children all have a sense of belonging? What instructional strategies strengthen a sense of belonging and academic progress for learners with complex and extensive support needs? In this session, these questions will be answered with examples from research. Participants will engage in discussion and learn how to create situations in schools that help all learners thrive, and how to work to remove ableist stereotypes.
Presenters
avatar for Carol Quirk

Carol Quirk

Director of Special Projects, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Dr. Carol Quirk is the founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and current Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). For the last 30 years, Carol has worked with States, districts, schools, and families to promote inclusive education... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Meta-Synthesis of IEP Analysis Studies for Students with Extensive Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
This study describes a meta-synthesis of studies (K = 12) using qualitative methods to analyze IEP documents comparing studies that addressed students with high-incidence disabilities compared to studies that addressed students with extensive support needs.
Presenters
MS

Michelle Squitieri

Lehigh University
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Peer Support Arrangements for Students with Extensive Support Needs
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
When students with extensive support needs (ESN) are included with their same-aged typically developing peers in general education settings, it is not meaningful if they are not interacting with peers or the curriculum. Peer support arrangements address this problem by guiding peers without disabilities to provide academic and/or social support students with ESN in general education settings through training conducted by a teacher or paraprofessional. In this systematic literature review, we replicated the Brock & Huber (2017) review of 11 studies and identified 4 additional studies that examined peer support arrangements as an intervention for students with ESN. Several of those studies include evidence of peers benefiting from providing support. We conclude that peer support arrangements are an effective intervention for social outcomes and are a promising intervention for academic outcomes in a variety of general education settings for students with ESN.
Presenters
SM
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Peer-Mediated Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for Preschoolers with Disabilities
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
This presentation discusses a single-case design study using NDBIs as a peer-mediated intervention for preschool aged children with autism and developmental disabilities. Data will be collected in Fall 2024. This study will be conducted in inclusive special education classrooms, which are currently the standard practice for providing special education services for children with a wide variety of special learning needs. Preschool aged peers will be trained and coached in strategies, that align with the fidelity markers of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) for engaging with children with disabilities during center time. This study also aims to examine the effects intervention on the communication, play, and social skills for children with disabilities. This presentation will provide information to assist in understanding the impact of peer-mediated NDBIs on key skills for children with disabilities. Recommendations and suggestions will be provided.
Presenters
KA
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

To Include All Students: Why We Fight
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
The fight for inclusion of students with disabilities post-Brown v. Board of Education emphasizes the civil right to education for all. Segregated education denies this right and perpetuates outdated practices. Inclusive education, proven effective, ensures access to grade-level instruction, empowering students for self-directed lives. It also combats disability stigma, fostering empathy and understanding. Moreover, inclusion facilitates meaningful relationships, vital for mental well-being. Ultimately, inclusion ensures equitable access to education and upholds the fundamental principle that education is a civil right for all students.
Presenters
CS
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Using Logic to Leverage Inclusive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Multi-tiered systems of support inclusive of students with extensive support needs are receiving increased attention as researchers point to improved outcomes and opportunities in general education contexts for students with disabilities. I synthesized 21 studies from 2014 to 2024 which included a review of assumptions and contextual factors either recommended or identified in the literature as factors associated with implementation of inclusive multi-tiered systems of support. Assumptions included beliefs, values, visions, and culture as well as family and community perspectives. Contextual factors included policy and leadership supportive of inclusive practices for students with extensive support needs.
Presenters
LM

Lisa Morin

Doctoral Student, University of Florida
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

What Families Should Know About AT and AI
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Technology to support individuals with intensive support needs is exploding in development and innovation. Based on interviews and conversations with teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, university supervisors, and parents of students with significant disabilities, dissemination of information and current awareness of the application of innovative technology was assessed. A program was designed to provide current information and resources/skills to stay up-to-date with the valuable assistive technologies and artificial intelligence supports.
Presenters
CM
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Why Should We Teach Digital Citizenship? A Curriculum for Pre-Service Special Educators
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Schools play a critical role in providing access and to supporting youth's knowledge and skills related to using technology to participate in digital spaces. However, research indicates youth with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), access and use technology less and have less access to digital citizenship training opportunities. This presentation will discuss a collaboratively developed curriculum we designed to:

(a) expand preservice special education teachers' knowledge of digital citizenship;
(b) improve their ability to teach digital citizenship skills and make that instruction accessible; and,
(c) integrate digital citizenship skills in both individualized education programs and transition plans.
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations

5:45pm CST

Year Two: Pre-Service Teachers' Reflections on A Variety of Placement Settings
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall
Last year, I had the privilege of presenting with a group of students who had never seen inclusive practices, this year my university extended my grant funding to continue this line of research. Through university support, we are taking students on a study abroad trip to the Czech Republic, where inclusive opportunities are minimal. The purpose of this research is to allow undergraduate pre-service teachers to experience a variety of placement settings both in the United States and the Czech Republic.  Additionally, data will be analyzed across two cohorts of students who are visiting inclusive placements for the first time. Pre-service teachers will complete a pre- and post- reflection on their experiences. Additionally students will record their initial reaction to a variety of placement sites to see differences and changes their perceptions during the semester. These video and written reflections will be analyzed qualitatively for themes.
Moderators
KB
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Poster Presentations
 
Saturday, December 7
 

8:45am CST

All It Could Be? Parent Perceptions of Advocacy and Collaboration
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Imperial 11
Family involvement in their children’s education results in positive student outcomes and is structured by the parent participation and consent mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, there are well-documented inequities in participation and collaboration between culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families (e.g., multilingual immigrant families) and school personnel, as well as an overarching sense by families that interactions with school personnel are adversarial rather than collaborative. As a result, implementation of IDEA has resulted in an expectation of advocacy rather than participation. This advocacy expectation perpetuates cultural inequities and overburdens families during the special education process. This study examined family perceptions of special education procedures, interactions with school personnel and legislators, and their own advocacy through 17 focus groups with 72 parents/caregivers of children with disabilities.
Presenters
avatar for Zach Rossetti

Zach Rossetti

Associate Professor, Boston University
Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Teaching and Learning Department at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. His research examines the social belonging and participation of people with intellectual and developmental... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

8:45am CST

Celebrating Our Autonomy as We Transition to Post-Secondary Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B
Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) is now a transitional opportunity for many students with intellectual/developmental disabilities. ThinkCollege, a national technical assistance, research, and evaluation center dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving higher education options for students with intellectual disability, now recognizes over 325 programs across the United States that provide these educational experiences. Transitioning to college from an IEP supported K-12 experience, students and families strive to engage in valued ways in higher education by finding the right fit of program for the interests and desires of the potential students and their families. Getting it "right" by preparing well during high school, growing in autonomous ways and developing a growth mindset are key. This session celebrates evidence of effectiveness for IPSE enfleshed with the experiences of a family and its members who qualify for IPSE sharing their preparation strategies.
Presenters
avatar for Ann Marie Licata

Ann Marie Licata

Assistant Professor, Millersville University
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

8:45am CST

Empowering Diverse Families and Students Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Inclusion
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
Promoting inclusion for students with extensive support needs, particularly those with disabilities from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, is crucial. Successful inclusion involves effective interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals and families. We interviewed professionals from diverse fields such as family advocacy, education, psychology, and speech-language pathology. These individuals participated in the Northern California LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, which aims to train leaders, educate community providers, and conduct research to promote systemic change. Participants have experience supporting a wide range of families and students as a collaborative team. Our goal was to identify factors contributing to successful inclusion for these families and students. We will focus on identifying facilitators and barriers to inclusion, and additional supports and training that professionals believe are necessary.
Presenters
avatar for Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Professor, Teaching Credentials-Special Education, California State University, Sacramento
GK

Gospel Kim

Baylor University
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

8:45am CST

Family Perspectives of Belonging in an Inclusive School
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F
This presentation discusses results of a qualitative study conducted with parents of children with disabilities enrolled in schools within an inclusive charter system. The purpose was to gain a better understanding of parent perspectives around how schools support a culture of belonging for families of students with disabilities, and to determine school practices which facilitate belonging. Data was collected from focus group interviews conducted with parents of elementary and middle school aged children with disabilities. Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methods. Implications of familial belonging and how schools can support family belonging will be discussed. By the end of the session, participants will be able to (a) understand the importance of familial belonging for families of students with disabilities and (b) identify key ways schools can promote familial belonging.
Presenters
MG

Melanie Good

Department of Special Education, University of Kansas
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

8:45am CST

Systematic Review of Practices for Children with Deafblindness Across Domains
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Imperial 5D
This session will present results of a comprehensive systematic review of practices in deafblindness. Studies were evaluated for method and evidence level based on What Works Clearinghouse (2022) criteria. Results indicate need for intervention studies conducted with increased rigor. An important purpose of research is the identification and dissemination of knowledge to positively affect student outcomes. It is essential that practitioners have access to information about practices that have an evidence-base supporting their effectiveness. However, within the field of deafblindness, there is currently limited research guiding practice which has resulted in the use of educational practices with no or limited research support for this population. The current systematic review is unique in that the purpose was to evaluate all identified existing intervention studies focused on children in the field of deafblindness for methodological soundness and for level of evidence.
Presenters
avatar for Chevonne Sutter

Chevonne Sutter

University of Nevada, Reno
Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Deploying Universal Design for Learning for College Students with Disabilities and Complex Needs
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5A
As students become increasingly diverse in institutions of higher education, it is up to the professors involved in the teaching and learning process to determine how to best make students’ learning accessible. This ensures that students with disabilities and complex needs have access to appropriate accommodations. This research study examined the use of UDL in college classrooms to meet student learning needs. The purpose was to determine the perspectives of students on the accessibility of their learning in regard to their traditional undergraduate special education course. We sought to determine the perceptions of the students’ accessibility to the curriculum and their learning experiences. Based on their unique needs and preferences, college learners respond to instruction differently. UDL uses these differences from the starting point to design effective learning opportunities. Providing options for engagement, learning experiences, and products of learning will be explored.
Presenters
CT
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Empowering School Leaders: Championing Inclusion and Belonging for Students
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 8
 The number of students in special education has steadily risen, reaching 7.3 million in 2021-22 under IDEA. This growth emphasizes the need for skilled school administrators to address diverse learning needs. Special education leadership entails managing systems, ensuring compliance, promoting inclusivity, and improving outcomes. Effective leadership correlates with better academic and social results for students with disabilities. The presenters will discuss how through collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and the cultivation of inclusive school cultures, school leaders can enact systemic change, dismantle barriers and create environments where every student, irrespective of ability, feels a profound sense of belonging with a focus on practices tailored for students with severe disabilities and their families.  
Presenters
YM

Yvonne Moreno

College Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University
Yvonne Moreno, PhD is a College Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. She believes that all individuals regardless of their exceptionalities must have a right to the self-actualization of their goals and aspirations. This belief has guided her education, career, and... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Impact of Inclusive Education Focused Short-Term Technical Assistance
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C
New Jersey continues to be the most segregated state, as only 44% of students with disabilities are included in general education 80% of the day or more. The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education (NJDOE OSE) to improve inclusion rates and overall quality of inclusive education in New Jersey schools. Through the New Jersey Inclusion Project (NJIP), NJCIE and NJDOE OSE offered short-term technical assistance support to schools around critical topics, including building an inclusive culture, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiation, co-teaching, and accommodations and modifications. Using results from pre- and post-assessments of content knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and self-efficacy, our mixed-methods study provides insight into the impacts of a feasible and sustainable short-term technical assistance model geared toward improving inclusive attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
Moderators
CM
Presenters
avatar for Jessica McQueston

Jessica McQueston

Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Including Neurodiverse Learners: A DisCrit Examination
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5C
This study aimed to understand the experiences of teachers with neurodiverse learners in their classrooms. Using a critical qualitative methodology and a DisCrit theoretical framework, practicing educators were interviewed to consider how they define neurodiversity, how they support neurodiverse students in the classroom, and challenges they experience including neurodiverse learners. Across the study, educators were asked about their perceptions and experiences with neurodiverse learners. Three significant themes were constructed using a DisCrit framework for analysis: 1) discussion of teachers’ general understanding of neurodiversity; 2) the learning strategies developed and implemented by teachers to include neurodiverse learners; and, 3) the challenges teachers articulated around inclusion for neurodiverse students. Within their descriptions and discussions, it was clear that educators still have implicit bias that impacts how they view neurodiverse students and their potential.
Presenters
CT
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Let's Collaborate: Strategies for Authentic Partnerships in Inclusive Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B
When students with extensive support needs are included in general education, it is essential that educators engage in authentic and ongoing collaboration. In this session, two general educators and their special educator co-teaching partner will share the benefits and components of authentic collaboration, key strategies and tools they utilize to support collaboration, how they find joy and have fun in their partnerships, and how to advocate for administrative support and accountability to promote shared ownership. Let the good times roll!
Presenters
AH
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Licensing Teachers of Students with Extensive Support Needs
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A
Students with extensive support needs (ESN) deserve highly qualified teachers, yet often their teachers are not licensed, not prepared to teach them, or missing all together in areas with extreme teacher shortages. There are major disparities across the United States related to access to teacher preparation programs in the area of ESN. For example, in Kentucky, there are 17 such programs leading to this licensure compared to 0 in Louisiana. In other states, such as Connecticut, a specific license to teach students with ESN is not required. Due to these disparities, it is likely to students with ESN in different states have different levels of access to highly qualified special educators. In this session, we will lead a discussion of the discrepancies across states, as well as if specific licensure for students with ESN is even needed as we approach more inclusive schooling.
Presenters
avatar for Amy Clausen

Amy Clausen

Assistant Professor, Winthrop University
Dr. Amy Clausen (she/her) is an assistant professor of special education at Winthrop University. Her focus is preparing teachers of students with extensive support needs. Amy is committed to ensuring her students have access to literature featuring diverse and representative char... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Overcoming Challenges and Resistance: Advancing Inclusion in Schools
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 11
This presentation explores the critical importance of overcoming challenges and resistance to systemic change in schools to advance inclusion. It delves into common barriers hindering progress towards inclusive education, such as lack of awareness, fear of change, and resource constraints. Through a combination of strategies, including education, collaboration, resource management, leadership, and advocacy, this presentation provides insights into how educators and administrators can effectively navigate these challenges. By examining case studies, engaging in interactive discussions, and outlining action plans, participants will leave with practical tools and knowledge to drive positive change and foster inclusive school environments.
Presenters
avatar for Kelli Petrone

Kelli Petrone

Program Director, ALL IN for Inclusive Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Supporting Educators to Make Equitable Instructional Decisions for All Students
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5B
The 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as ESSA, includes a 1% cap on state-level participation rates in the alternate assessment. Enforcement of this policy has required many states to revisit their alternate assessment participation criteria and implementation. Through engaging in processes to decrease alternate assessment participation, states have reported some push back from teachers as they navigate how to design effective school programming for students who have switched from the alternate to the general state assessment. State and district leaders need resources to support educators who are serving students who have shifted from the alternate assessment to general assessment. This presentation will showcase a series of newly-developed, research-based free resources that states, districts, and schools can use to ensure that all students with disabilities have equitable access to rigorous learning - no matter what assessment they take.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Bowman

Jessica Bowman

Research Associate, TIES Center, University of Minnesota
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Supports for Students with Complex Needs in Grade-Aligned Lessons
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
Students with complex support needs are at risk of not receiving adequate personalized supports during grade-aligned instruction in general education. To ensure access to the general education curriculum and environment, special educators need expertise to provide effective supports to students with complex needs. This study examined what supports teachers assigned in response to a piloted intervention intended to help teachers better understand how to support students while maintaining grade-aligned learning. An analysis of 25 priority plans for K-12 students with complex support needs was conducted using a qualitative reflexive thematic approach. We found special education teachers undertake labor-intensive and creative preparation of supports in addition to bearing the primary responsibility of implementation. In addition, visual supports, peer supports, and systematic instruction practices were found to be widely used.
Presenters
avatar for Roxanne Loyless

Roxanne Loyless

Doctoral Student, The University of Kansas
Roxanne Loyless is a second-year Ph.D. student in Special Education at The University of Kansas. Her research interests center on inclusive education practices, strategies, and supports for students with significant support needs.
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Trauma and Resilience for Advocates, Parents and Teachers
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H
The legal and mental health definitions of trauma are very broad. Conservatively, a third of us grow up with three or more powerful disruptive risk adverse childhood experiences during our development. We think about trauma as an individual problem. COVID reminded us that trauma can be worldwide in scope. Such collective trauma impacts each of us uniquely to varying degrees and with disproportionate impacts. This workshop’s focus is on those who are charged with fixing the problems trauma causes in the K-12 setting while exploring federal and state trauma-related legislation. We acknowledge that everyone who has experienced trauma does not automatically become a victim. Some have – with or without help – overcome the adversity of trauma. Some try to mask the impact of trauma; others acquire resilience in the face of trauma. While still, others suffer silently or violently from their experiences. Presenters will share their experiences and ask participants to share theirs also.
Presenters
avatar for Barbara Ransom

Barbara Ransom

A civil rights attorney who represents individuals, families and organizations seeking relief from discrimination on the basis of disability.
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

Trauma Sensitive Schools and Special Education: An Oxymoron?
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 10
There are a growing number of schools and districts throughout the country engaged in efforts to transform education to become more trauma sensitive.  Trauma sensitive schools are intended to help all students feel safe to learn.  This session will explore what it means to work toward and identify as a trauma sensitive school and how special education interventions align with these efforts.  Discussing issues related to special education interventions that may be trauma inducing will be central to this presentation. A schoolwide trauma sensitive assessment tool incorporating special education practices for teachers, students, parents, and school/district leaders will be provided.
Presenters
TW
MS
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

10:00am CST

We Do Pretty Well With Inclusion: Beliefs About Supporting Students with Complex Support Needs in Rural Settings
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 12
This research investigates inclusive practices for rural students with complex support needs (CSN) and examines staff perceptions about their roles in facilitating an inclusive service delivery model. This study addresses concerns about inconsistent inclusive practices within one rural school district. Data collection included content analysis of IEPs, classroom observations, and interviews with special educators and administrators. Findings reveal that students with CSN lacked inclusive placements, highlighting a culture of low expectations and insufficient individualized support in general education settings. Additionally, special education spaces often perpetuated ableist structures, undermining inclusive opportunities. This research underscores the importance of targeted training and resources to promote inclusive practices in rural schools, contributing to the broader understanding of how rural contexts impact inclusive education for students with CSN.
Presenters
avatar for Katie McCabe

Katie McCabe

Assistant Professor, Buffalo State University
Katie McCabe is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State University, with a Ph.D. in Special Education and a minor in Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A former special education teacher in rural Upstate New... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Caught in the Continuum: How Special Educators Provide Access for Students with Extensive Support Needs
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 8
Despite the preponderance of scholarly literature advocating the benefits of including students with disabilities in general education, students with ESN continue to be educated in restrictive settings. Limited research exists on how to facilitate access to inclusive opportunities in these segregated self-contained settings, yet this is primarily where these students are educated. Additionally, educators of these students are often caught in the continuum; teaching in a system that is set to exclude their students while attempting to facilitate access. This qualitative research study used collective case study methodology to analyze this gap in the literature. Through semistructured interviews and related documentation, findings highlight the perspectives of special education teachers, including the supports, educational practices, and barriers they experience when providing access for their students with ESN. These findings lead to recommendations for future research & practice.
Presenters
avatar for Megan Doty

Megan Doty

Program Specialist
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Deciding What to Teach: Prioritizing Outcomes for Students with CSN
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A
To help teachers identify priority grade-aligned learning goals to be taught in general education settings for students with complex support needs, we developed a priority planning intervention and tested it with 41 teachers. We determined if the priority planning intervention changed teacher planning for inclusive academic instruction, identified the general education content teachers prioritized, assessed the social validity of the priority planning intervention, and measured the extent to which students learned prioritized goals when taught entirely in general education classrooms. Our findings revealed that teachers were more likely to develop instruction based on the general education curriculum after the intervention. Teachers developed primarily math, communication, and academic vocabulary goals. Students were successful in learning those prioritized goals when taught entirely in general education settings, and teachers reported the intervention was helpful and efficient.
Moderators
avatar for Jennifer Kurth

Jennifer Kurth

Professor, University of Kansas
Inclusive Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Letting Their Voice Be Heard: Student Government and Campus Involvement for Students with IDD
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
Self-advocacy and participation in student clubs and organizations for students with IDD in inclusive postsecondary education is vital to their experience, just as it is for college students without IDD. However, with the historically recent inclusion of students with IDD in postsecondary education, our knowledge of campus involvement, particularly in student government, is limited. The purpose of this session is to give voice to a student with and a student without IDD to share their experiences working together to create meaningful change and documented gains in access for students with IDD on a large Southern public four-year campus. This session hopes to empower participants with key skills and information to support students with IDD to get involved, engaged, and included on their campuses.
Presenters
JR
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Making it Happen! Writing Inclusive IEPs
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 11
Inclusive education is a fundamental right of all students, including those with the most significant support needs. Creating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that effectively support these students is crucial for their academic, social, and emotional development. This presentation aims to explore strategies for developing comprehensive IEPs tailored to the unique needs of students with significant support needs. Through a combination of research insights, practical examples, and collaborative discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to create inclusive learning environments that empower every student to thrive.
Presenters
avatar for Kara Halley

Kara Halley

Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Dr. Halley has over twenty years of experience as a teacher in the public school system and university settiings.  Dr. Halley is also a consultant with the Colorado Department of Education. Her research interests include inclusive education, transition and post-secondary services... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Making Systems Change in Personnel Preparation to Improve Inclusive Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 10
This presentation will focus on the systems change efforts in the College of Education at one University, related to personnel preparation for general education and special education teachers, as well as multiple other school-related disciplines. We will provide the systematic steps taken to improve collaboration between preservice multiple and single subject general education teachers and the preservice education specialists with a focus on inclusive education prior to exiting their credential programs; and the creation of a course that all credential candidates take together. We will also provide the next steps taken in which all disciplines who work with students with disabilities in schools are involved in a strengths-based IEP meeting (parents and teachers, Ed leadership, school psychology, counseling, speech therapy, social work, nursing, etc.); what it has taken to get to this place; and the outcomes we are seeing as a result.
Presenters
avatar for Jenna Porter

Jenna Porter

Principal Investigator/Co- PI, CSU Sacramento
avatar for Kathy Gee

Kathy Gee

Professor, California State University, Sacramento
inclusive education, meaningful access to core curriculum; augmentative communication; PBIS; elementary and secondary education; resaerch
avatar for Cindy Collado

Cindy Collado

Assistant Professor, Sacramento State University
avatar for Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Professor, Teaching Credentials-Special Education, California State University, Sacramento
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Promoting Meaningful Inclusion for Students with Significant Disabilities at Recess
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5D
Simply placing students with significant disabilities in the same educational environment with peers does not result in meaningful inclusion. FLIP Recess (Focusing on Learning, Interaction, and Play at Recess) is an intervention designed to increase interactions, interactive play, and social connections for elementary students with significant disabilities at recess. In a randomized controlled trial of FLIP Recess, we measured social interactions, interactive play, social skills and social connections through over 600 observations of children at recess and survey data from teachers, parents, and students. Interim findings from over 80 participants show that FLIP Recess produces large effects on all of these outcomes, and that effects generalized to other times of the school day and outside of school. We will share outcome data from the randomized controlled trial as well as practical implications for teachers, paraeducators, and related service personnel.
Presenters
MB
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Teacher Perceptions of Adaptations for Curriculum Access and Professional Development
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 9
Teachers should be familiar with adaptations that can make learning accessible for all students. Providing access to the general curriculum not only meets requirements outlined in important legislation such as the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act, but it elevates expectations for students with extensive support needs. Among the challenges special education teachers face in providing access are a lack of resources, time, and skills needed to make curriculum adaptations. Given these challenges, teachers can benefit from additional resources and training. This session presents a study on teacher perceptions of curriculum adaptations as a resource for promoting access to the general curriculum and professional development. The study addresses questions related to teacher involvement in curriculum decisions and the challenges and benefits of making adaptations. The findings aim to improve teacher training and outcomes for students with extensive support needs.
Presenters
JB

Joshua Baker

Professor/Researcher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational and Clinical Studies
CB

Catherine Bacos

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

11:15am CST

Where I Belong: Cora's Story
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5C
This presentation will present the methods and findings from a case study that explored the phenomenon of belonging from the perspective of Cora, a school-aged child with an intellectual disability and significant support needs. Findings from the study illuminated how Cora's microsystem influence her sense of belonging in the school, neighborhood, and her community.
Presenters
AR
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:00pm CST

Bridging Beliefs and Guidelines: Exploring Educators' Views on Paraprofessional Implementation
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Imperial 11
This study investigated the alignment between special education teachers' beliefs and professional guidelines regarding the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals, essential in providing support to students with disabilities, often receive inconsistent training and are assigned varied tasks across educational settings. Through a national survey of certified special education teachers, this research explored how educators' beliefs align with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) guidelines and explores differences in these beliefs across various educational placements (general education, resource, self-contained, and separate schools). The findings reveal significant variations in alignment, with higher agreement observed in inclusive settings. This study underscores the need for tailored professional development to enhance paraprofessional support and highlights the impact of educational context on teachers' perceptions and expectations.
Presenters
avatar for Mary Mansouri

Mary Mansouri

Doctoral Student, University of Kansas, Department of Special Education
Mary Curran Mansouri is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas in the Department of Special Education. Her research focuses on inclusive education and understanding interactions that enhance learning and socialization for students with complex support needs.
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:00pm CST

Language... Does it Matter in Teacher Prep?
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G
The words we use and allow our students to use matter. As teacher educators, we are preparing the next generation of educators, and they will impact thousands of K-12 students every year. This presentation will explore the nuanced role of language in shaping perceptions of students with disabilities and strategies for integrating disability representation into teacher preparation curricula. The presentation will review what two colleagues, including a disabled professor, at one Texas university are doing to change language and the perception of students with disabilities in coursework and with colleagues. Participants will gain actionable insights, learn updated disability-centered language, and examples of ways to cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment where all students thrive.  
Presenters
avatar for Jessica McQueston

Jessica McQueston

Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University
CG
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:00pm CST

Rolling with Inclusion: IPSE Perspectives from Students with IDD
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Imperial 8
Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (or IDD) have most recently been welcomed into the halls of institutions of higher education (or IHEs) thanks in part to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. As the research agenda begins to blossom, the most critical voices to include are those of the students entering the halls of IHEs – students with IDD. Two students enrolled in an IPSE at a major IHE in the southeastern United States will lead a discussion on their experience, what they have learned on their college campus, and how they apply their experiences in inclusive spaces daily. The conversation will cover academics, employment, independent living, community access, and recreation/leisure activities. Participants should be prepared for a fun, lively, and engaging conversation with students!
Presenters
JR
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

3:00pm CST

Using Instructional Rounds to Build a Community of Inclusive Practitioners
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F
This presentation describes effective professional development in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to better support inclusive teaching practices for K-8 teachers. Specifically, the presentation will describe the successful design and implementation of a two-year instructional rounds model of professional development. Instructional rounds engage participants in a collaborative inquiry process that results in discussion and examination of instruction. I will detail how this evidence-based approach helped teachers in a K-8 school district build a common language and understanding of effective, inclusive teaching and learning; engage in critical reflection to improve inclusive practices; and increase individual and collective self-efficacy.
Presenters
avatar for Francesca Ciotoli

Francesca Ciotoli

Assistant Professor, St. Thomas Aquinas College
I have 20 years of experience inside New York City and New Jersey classrooms teaching diverse children and working with Pre-K -12 pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and administrators. I specialize in the preparation and ongoing learning of teachers for inclusive classrooms... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:15pm CST

Analysis of Literacy IEP Content Across Educational Placements
Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
Foster 2
Students with complex support needs are often at risk of not receiving instruction on grade-aligned literacy skills (Keefe & Copeland, 2011). Given the importance of instruction on these skills, and the importance of Individualized Education Program (IEP) content in guiding instruction, there is a need to understand the extent to which these skills are documented in student’s IEPs. We analyzed the IEPs of 112 students with complex support needs to understand the literacy skills that are stated in Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) and annual goals. We will present similarities and differences that exist in literacy skills included in IEPs for students with complex support needs in four different placements (general education, resource, self-contained, separate school). We will also share the results of an alignment analysis that examined the extent to which the IEP goals aligned with the literacy skills in the students’ PLAAFP statements.
Presenters
avatar for Alison Zagona

Alison Zagona

Assistant Professor, University of Kansas
I am a researcher and special education teacher educator, and I am passionate about advocating for inclusive educational experiences for students with extensive support needs.
avatar for Jennifer Kurth

Jennifer Kurth

Professor, University of Kansas
Inclusive Education
Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions

4:15pm CST

Using SETTT for Success to Plan Effective Professional Development
Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
Imperial 5D
The SETTT for Success project is an OSEP-funded grant to support trainers of teachers of students with extensive support needs (ESN) in planning academic-focused professional development (PD). Trainers plan PD using the SETTT for Success PD cycle, a series of phases trainers complete to use data to determine PD priorities, use backwards design to design and develop PD, and then evaluate the effectiveness of their PD. The PD is designed to target comprehensive academic instruction, defined by this project as building conceptual understandings across and within content areas to know when, why, and how to apply knowledge to solve problems and answer questions. Initial findings show the SETTT PD cycle is useful for trainers in planning academic-focused PD. In this presentation, we will describe the SETTT PD cycle, the resources available to implement the cycle, and invite participants to apply the PD cycle, using SETTT PD resources, to their own local context or a case study example.
Presenters
LR

Lindsay Ruhter

Doctoral Candidate, University of Kansas
Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
  Breakout Sessions
 
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