Mary: email to ask
for Phone numbers to send Betty for Conference Call
Set up a gmail account in Google documents
Send the notes with the d/hh protocol
Judy and Janie will set up the document on Google documents
Everyone must set up an email account on Google documents
OI Consortium January 26, 2010
Sign in and Introductions were made.
Welcome to Ms. Nancy Buice and Ms. Rebecca Reeves
Upcoming Dates, Locations and Topics
Presentation:
Ms. Buice and Ms. Reeves
Consortia Focus and Administrative Walk-Through Instrument for Students with Orthopedic Impairments
The Metro Directors of GLRS met in a retreat to discuss the
stimulus funding and how we as educators can get our heads together to increase excellence in special education that will remain beyond those funds. Ms. Buice presented the focus of Metro Consortia and the development of a universal design tool with non-negotiable specifics in a walk-through classroom instrument for the various disability areas. The project idea originally focused on math but has since grown. Ms. Reeves provided guidance in the development of the project walk-through instrument. She shared that some of the other metro area consortia have completed their walk-through.
The Metro Directors of Special Education Shared Two-Year
Goals:
- To increase achievement of students with disabilities in Math,Reading and ELA
- To increase successful transitions of SWD’s from school to other viable
options - To create a sustainable model for building the capacity of special education personnel and their stakeholders
- Each Consortium will develop a walk-through instrument to be used by Principals and other Non-Special Education Personnel
- Purpose of instrument is to provide guidance on observable, non-negotiable practices and items that should be in place for students with a specific type of disability served in various settings – resource, self-contained or general education.
- All consortium members were invited to bring tools that they are currently using in the various systems.
Ms. Reeves discussed the informational meeting that took place with the Metro Directors and Consortia Chairs. Purposes of current consortia were reviewed. Common threads included networking and providing resources. Some were set up to do projects but others did not have the structure to do so.
Ms. Reeves shared the results of the on-line survey. She then asked the group if they feel they are up to the development of this proposed project. One concern mentioned is the ability of members to meet more often. The Metro Directors said they were willing to give more release time. Ms. Parks stated that we are finding it will work to our advantage to have local school system Principals and administrators on board as to non-negotiables. Ms. Nelson said she would like to see more consistency from the State Department. She also stated that with many teachers participating in the OI Consortia that it is important not to interrupt and impact instruction in the classroom with release time, but to utilize technology and webinars to increase collaboration.
Ms. Reeves charged us to think about the most essential accommodations and best practices that are crucial for students with orthopedic impairments. This should be a simple, informative type of tool that would be helpful to non-special educators.
Gwinnett and DeKalb shared their OI checklists they use for student evaluation, as well as their classroom adaptation/modification checklists.
Consideration factors in developing the walk-through tool:
*The instrument must be user friendly.
*This tool is for Administrators to know what to look for to
be able to be good instructional leaders of special education
*We are building the capacity of stakeholders. Therefore the tool must be:
Regular ed. Friendly
Jargon free
2+ tools for different settings
Walk-thru”
concept – 5 minutes
Keep “non-special ed” administrators in mind
Include the physical set up of the classroom
-Principals have such a load on them: this becomes an opportunity to help the Principals and other instructional leaders in the building to have an instrument to use over time.
What it is NOT for: evaluation of the teacher
The members were asked to break into small groups and determine the 3 most important factors for students with orthopedic impairments. These Best practices for OI are listed below :
Key:
I = Instruction
E=Environment
A=Assistive Technology
P=Personnel
C=Classroom Schedule
C – Classroom schedule that provides consistency of instruction – physical and health management
A – Assistive technology is available and used
A – Access to curriculum through assistive technology & alternative formats for materials (e.g. copies of notes)
E- Environmental set-up that does not isolate the student – ease of access to materials, equipment {Shows respect for fire code
while also providing outlets for student needs}
E- Medical equipment
I -Include special factors on checklist
I -Student engagement {activation of background knowledge}
I –Chunking of information
P – Level of support provided by parapros
P -Personnel sufficient for student supports:
Parapro, PT, OT, SLP, etc.
E– Positioning & mobility for students:
Student aids, e.g. crutch is nearby
Understanding that a student who is tilting in chair is not sleeping
A – Knowledge of the range of AT – low tech, no tech, high tech
I –Extended time is provided for students to perform
tasks and process information
I –Issue of performance of some children who are OI in self-contained setting . . . more intensive, individualized instruction
I – Instructional focus for OI students is related to general curriculum, not adapted for the most part
QUESTION: How can Principals know the difference in the performance of an OI student who is in self-contained class compared to one who is MI?
Format for the walk-through instrument:
First Actions:
Format of the tool should include :
(1) Category
(2) Element
(3) Checkmark
(4) Notes
(5) Columns
Next Steps/Actions
*Send a copy of d/hh sample to everyone (Mary)
*Investigate placing draft on google documents for everyone
to review and add changes (Judy H. And Janie)
*EVERYONE sets up a g-mail account
*All practices will be put into a format by Judy H.
*END RESULT: Judy will do 2 documents – general education and special education
*Everyone will save the documents for themselves and adopt
for their system
*FINAL STEP: Betty Nelson will arrange conference call to consolidate document
CONFERENCE CALL takes place Feb. 18th from 3:00 – 4:00
The Metro Directors will be meeting Feb. 18th
Georgia OI Teachers 
Is there a form used when RTI is bypassed for students qualifying for OI?
I do not think that there is a specific form that is used. I am guessing that the only applicable form would be your eligibility report that you complete when you have gathered the necessary information to determine OI eligibility. There is the OI checklist that does help to navigate the areas of concern for most OI students. Do you have a copy of that? If not, I can send it to you. – Judy
I do not have the checklist. I would love it if you would send me a copy. If you would like you can scan and email to me. Thank you so much for your help.