OSDE - SES - March 7, 2024 - External

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Announcement

**NEW** OKMTSS on EdPlan Training

OSDE is offering a FREE intervention management tool for all districtsthis is a different aspect of EDPlan that is different than EasyIEP. This tool is intended to support district and site level intervention tracking that schools are already completing. Weekly sessions regarding how to use the OKMTSS on EDPlan data management system's intervention platform are open for all educators to attend. We will have two sessions in February, three sessions in March and five sessions in April.  These training sessions will provide time for general education teachers to learn how to create a group of students for interventions, how to create an individual student intervention plan targeted to evidence-based intervention protocols provided within the platform, and to see how the progress monitoring data is graphed to provide the visual story necessary to determine if a student is or is not responding to the intervention.

OSDE invites general education teacher to access OKMTSS on EDPlan to learn the function of the system this spring, so that when the system is integrated with all of the district's Student Information System (SIS) across the state starting in the 2024-2025 school year, teachers will have a good understand of how to utilize OKMTSS on EDPlan.

Below are the registration links for the February training sessions. Please consider sending as many general education teachers as possible to these sessions.  OSDE seeks to ensure the platform is accessible for all educators so they can practice this spring, in order to prepare for the coming school year use of the OKMTSS on EDPlan system.

For those interested, please do not update any user types prior to the training.

Trainings/Webinars

The Center on Transition Innovations

The Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University provides many secondary transition publications and guides that offer step-by-step, practical tools that will assist in implementing effective practices.  Here are a few of their Fast Facts publications related to transition topics of interest:  

For a complete listing of Fast Facts and other resources available through the Center on Transition Innovations, visit their Publications page.  Resources found there can be sorted by Title, Topic, Year, and Format.


SERC Wisdom Wednesday Webinars

SERC

These Wisdom Wednesday webinars take place on the third Wednesday of each month from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

They provide helpful information that will benefit educators, parents, SDE personnel and resource providers. All of our webinars are listed with registration info on our Wisdom Wednesday page. The webinars are free, and all webinars are recorded and posted after editing for viewing later.


Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education (ODCTE) Innovative Grants

  • “Supporting CTE Special Populations Grant Application 2024-2026” is now available.​ Check it out and begin planning in advance for an opportunity to be awarded a two-year grant (up to $50,000/year) aimed at helping schools implement transition programs and/or other support strategies to assist in the provision of transferable skill sets to students regarding the attainment of meaningful employment and becoming productive members of society!!!
  • The Supporting CTE Special Populations Overview (oklahoma.gov) outlines the requirements for the 2024-2026 grant application and required goal priorities.
  • Perkins LEAs or consortia meeting the $15,000 requirement OR technology centers, technology center co-ops, postsecondary institutions, or consortia meeting the $50,000 requirement are eligible to complete the grant application. ​
  • Application deadline is currently listed as May 3, 2024 (subject to change).

12th Annual Research to Practice Symposium - The Intersection of Reading and Writing

Language is the foundation for the development of reading and writing. Learn about what the intersection of reading and writing instruction look like for young students, older students, and bilingual students. We invite you to attend AIM's 12th Annual Research to Practice Symposium to discover the intersection of reading and writing.

When: March 11, 2024, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm ET

Where: Live Stream Access - In-Person Attendance Has Reached Capacity

Cost: FREE Online Attendance Options

CEUs Available: ALTA, IMSLEC, IDA and Wilson® Professional Learning Credits

Register: 12th Annual Research to Practice Symposium - The Intersection of Reading and Writing

Social Media: Hashtag: #AIMSymposium2024 @aimtolearn (X) and @aiminstitutepa (Facebook)


State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Informational Sessions

The Office of Special Education Services at the Oklahoma State Department has developed a state-systemic improvement plan (SSIP) to support educators who serve kindergarten through third grade students, with a focus on students with special needs and early literacy outcomes.

We are excited to offer an opportunity for the coming school year for school sites who educate students K-3, within the State of Oklahoma, who have scored 0% proficiency for third-grade reading based on state testing proficiency for students with IEPs.

We are hosting informative virtual meetings to answer your questions and provide insight into this program! The informative meetings will be the same session but offered at different times to accommodate your schedule:

What is the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)? 

The program features three tiers of participation:  

  • Tier 1:
    • Universal Supports: Access to templates and protocols for early literacy interventions and evidence-based practices. You can access the Universal Supports through OK Multi-Tiered System of Supports | Oklahoma State Department of Education.
    • Sequenced Professional Development: Access to a professional development sequence, intended to support educators with early literacy outcomes.
  • Tier 2:
    • Strategic Leadership Coaching: To support development of a site MTSS leadership team, aide in implementing MTSS for K-3 early literacy, continuous coaching. Application due June 1, 2024.
  • Tier 3:
    • Instructional Coaching: Application to access direct, individual support for educators working with K-3 students, supporting early literacy. Educators must be concurrently participating in the professional development sequence. Application due June 1, 2024.

The application for participation has been included in the email as links. On-time deadline is June 1, 2024, and late-acceptance will continue until August 1, 2024, or until the capacity for the program has been reached.

For more information to determine if this program is right for your school site, please contact Alexa Hudak to set up a phone conversation to answer any questions you might have.  

We are eager for your participation!


The CVI Protocol: A Framework for Describing CVI – Webinar Series

Developed from current research in the field, individual stories, and assessment data, the CVI Protocol provides a new framework for understanding CVI. The protocol outlines 16 visual behaviors and associated compensatory strategies that describe how individuals with CVI can be impacted.

This presentation will:

  • Define each area of the protocol
  • Outline potential implications
  • Describe ideas for accommodations and strategies
  • Include stories from individuals with CVI

To find out more information about the webinar series in April, see the CVI Protocol Flyer.


**NEW** 2024 BEST STEPS

The BEST-STEP program includes a week-long employment program for youth to build their employment skills, followed by a 4 week-paid internship in their community. We are seeking work skills trainers to work with our youth to help develop jobs and serve as job coaches.

This is an excellent opportunity for educational professionals looking to earn some money this summer including teachers, paraprofessionals, classroom assistants, etc.

Applicants need their own transportation, be able to pass a background check, and be prepared to work with our awesome youth with disabilities.

Training is provided and there are several camps in the OKC metro and across the state for which they could apply.

Here are some of the tasks the BEST STEP Skills Trainers (BSST) will be doing with our students:

  • Employer of record will be OU (University of Oklahoma)
  • Hourly rate is $19 to $22 per hour depending on certification.
  • Working in April and May, up to 8 hours a week.
  • Estimated working at 20-25 hours a week, for up to 6 weeks in June and July.
  • Mileage reimbursement is available.

SUMMARY OF OBLIGATIONS

  • Collaboration and communication with all team members.
  • Participate in student interviews to determine student support needs, skill level and job interests.
  • Participate in job development to identify community job placements for student paid work experiences.
  • After the first week of employment, visit student worksite at least one-hour, one-time per week, during the remaining 3-week program period.
  • Provide technical assistance and/or guidance to employers, co-workers and/or students as needed to increase learning and to maintain employment success.
  • Facilitate assistance to employers, co-workers and/or students to complete timesheets and progress reports on a weekly basis.
  • Must have a reliable vehicle and required vehicle insurance. Staff will not transport students.
  • Must successfully complete the University's background screening requirements, Working with Minors training, and eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Must turn in a Direct Service Verification form filled out and signed by the student and turned into the team lead.

Please see the 2024 BEST STEP Skill Trainer Flyer and the 2024 BEST STEP Skill Trainer Questionnaire for more information. 

Professional Development

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Special Education Convention & Expo

Each year at the CEC Convention & Expo, thousands of special education professionals from around the world come together to learn, share, grow, and connect. With hundreds of sessions on just about every topic in the field, the CEC Convention & Expo is THE professional development event for special educators to find research, tips, and strategies to support students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. 

Please join us March 13-16, 2024. For more information, view the CEC 2024 Convention & Expo Website


Special Education Paraeducator Assessment and Evaluation Toolkit from CEC

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) provides this toolkit as a resource for school district administrators, teachers and paraeducators who work with students with disabilities. This toolkit provides ongoing mentoring and professional development.


Oklahoma Autism Center

The Oklahoma Autism Center is offering Professional Development Opportunities for 2023-2024 including:

  • Autism: Foundation Training
  • Reducing Challenging Behaviors
  • Conducting FBA and Writing BIP's

Please see the OAC Professional Development Opportunities for more information. 

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