AI to Increase Special Education Capacity and Effectiveness

AI is Everywhere... but are we getting the most out of it? In this interactive, hands-on workshop hosted by Playground IEP, you will learn the history and develop a technical understanding of AI, and will experience first-hand using AI to build capacity and increase effectiveness with your Special Ed Team. Topics covered:

1. Understanding AI: The history and how it works 
2. Practicing Prompt Engineering: using ChatGPT 
3. AI for Special Ed: using IEP Copilot 
4. AI for Inclusion: using IEP Copilot 
5. Developing an AI Policy & Best Practices for AI 

Whatever comfort level you currently have with generative-AI currently, this will level-up your AI leadership skills for your district.

ABC Addressing Behavior Challenges
Participants will be provided with statewide statistics from the IN*SOURCE response center database that illustrate patterns in problematic responses to difficult behaviors. Then, using a storytelling format, participants will discuss alternative actions that may have potential for better outcomes for schools and the families that they serve. Participants will be given materials to help better explain the manifestation determination process to building administrators who may be on the front lines of making decisions.
Dawn McGrath, IN*SOURCE
Michelle Jones, IN*SOURCE

Personalized Learning for ALL; at the classroom level.
Listen to two great special education teachers share their story utilizing GoalBook app in the classroom. They will explain how they differentiate instruction including Universal Design for Learning that supports the achievement for all students. They will also share how GoalBook helps them to collaborate with teachers, students, and parents around individual student learning goals.
Jill Lambert, Greenwood Community Schools
Megan Clem, Heather Beeson

The New Director's Ten Biggest Takeaways - (Anyone can still learn)
Takeaways from the following 10 areas will be shared. 1. Organizational Systems 2. Collaborative Teams, 3. Evaluations 4. Assessing Issues 5. Creating a Plan 6. Taking Action 7. Navigating Resistance 8. Challenging Behaviors 9. Technology 10. Budgets (Bonus) Reflect on it all.
Lauren Phipps, Plymouth Community Schools
Angie Mills

Trends in Complaints Filed with IDOE and Complaint Investigation Reports
There is an uptick in complaints being filed by parents with the IDOE. We will review the most common issues raised in those complaints and discuss steps you can take to prevent parents from filing and to defend the complaints that are filed.
Karen Glasser Sharp, Lewis & Kappes

Universal Design for Learning – Supporting Meaningful Inclusion
The variability of students in any given classroom in Indiana is not decreasing or narrowing in scope. To prepare for all students who walk through their doors, teachers, schools and districts need to employ Universal Design for Learning. UDL can be applied to any curriculum in any grade; participants will leave with strategies to do just that, making inclusion and learning meaningful for all students.
Lucy Fischman, Center on Education and Lifelong Learning

Reflect, Recognize, Resolve: Navigating Bias through Self-Reflection
The agenda for this session includes 1) research on how relationships impact learning and productivity, 2) self-reflection: culture, identity, power, 3) discover our implicit biases, 4) strategies to combat implicit biases.
Lynne Hall, IU Early Childhood Center

How you Lead is how you do everything, sometimes it's not always about Special Education.
In this day and age, Directors find themselves coaching, mentoring, and supporting others in the field. It's time to build your leadership toolbox to be a proactive leader in the ever-changing role of the special education director. This will be a time to stop and think about solutions and strategies you can put in place to be proactive.
Jill Lambert, Greenwood Community Schools
Khailey Brown

Resident Advisor: What to do when Parents Request Residential Placement.
When parents and the School disagree regarding residential placement, the stakes are high. Learn the legal standards at play and practical takeaways to implement.
Jessica Billingsley, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Caroline Crouch

Best Practices to Equip Special Educators and Drive Student Outcomes
Start with assessment over a topic or topics mentioned above (instructional methodology, classroom management and set up, technology, and data/assessment), review steps that can be taken to improve scores based on assessment, allow time to talk to presentation team for Q&A
Scott Wyzgoski, TeachTown
Emily Ippolito, MSEd. BCBA
Nancy Farr MSEd.

Leveraging the IEP TA Center Resources to Maximize Co-teaching Outcomes
Effective co-teaching provides instruction and support for all students, but implementation struggles often impede the increased outcomes of this inclusion strategy. Leaders attending this session will dig into the logistics of co-teaching implementation to effectively plan for scheduling, building partnerships, training teachers, and obtaining and utilizing resources.
Niki Avina, IEPTA Center & Donna Biggs, Jennifer Bognar, Ezra Burke, Alana Harveth, Nikki Saulters

The Namaste Project
Description coming! 
TBA

Do's and Don'ts of Student Discipline and Alternative Placement
Don't make the most common mistakes when disciplining students! This presentation will guide you in being legally compliant, knowing the best practices for managing student behavior and discipline, and determining when to bypass disciplinary procedures and pursue other behavior management or placement options.
Karen Glasser Sharp, Lewis & Kappes

Positive Childhood Experiences: How to Support these Practices in School and through Family Partnership Practices
We will begin with a brief overview of the research showing the power of PCEs to combat Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We will then use large group discussion, small group "turn and talk" and Mentimeter to get participants thinking about how the identified PCEs could supplement their work. Presenters will share strategies and online resources for further exploration.
Katie Herron,Early Childhood Center & Lynne Hall

Session from our Keynote Speaker
Description coming! 
Joe Beckman

ESA 101
Members of the ICASE ESA Sub-Committee will provide updated information regarding Education Scholarship Accounts including examples of procedures used by districts to navigate ESAs and current issues surrounding ESAs. Directors will leave this session with a better understanding of the ESA process and resources to help develop local procedures.
Emily Dykstra, ICASE ESA Sub-Committee & Amy Selby

Etiology of Special Education Dispute
The Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education at Indiana State University, in collaboration with Unified Leadership, is engaging in a research project to examine special education dispute resolution in Indiana. An underlying assumption of the study is that many disputes can be resolved prior to a due process hearing and that these hearings should be avoided whenever possible. The study examines 1) the root causes of parent/school disputes 2) what efforts were made by the parties in conflict to resolve the issue prior to a due process hearing request being filed, 3) stakeholders perceptions of formal dispute resolution options, and 4) the financial and time commitment related to due process hearings for both the school district and the parent. Attend this session to learn about preliminary findings and how the data gathered will inform practice.
Bruce Kulwicki, ISU Blumberg Center & Angie Balsley

Interactive Technology to Effectively Achieve Outcomes
From perspective of school principal:
-The growing need for social, behavioral, and communication skill growth
-Curriculum for success
-Impact of RoboKind in my classrooms
-Outcomes across the state
Diana Spence, RoboKind

Open Care and Billing for Section 504 Services
Inform attendees how Open care has affected Medicaid Reimbursement and what is and is not billable
Steve Letizia, Go Solutions & Heather Royer and Glenelle Bruneske

How to Prepare Teachers to Safely Use Generative AI to Prepare Inclusive Lessons And Effectively Differentiate Learning
The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education presents significant opportunities and challenges. GenAI can transform teaching and learning by automating tasks such as creating assessment questions, lesson materials, and grading assignments, thus saving teachers time and enhancing student support. However, the successful integration of GenAI requires that teachers are properly trained to utilize these tools effectively and safely in lesson preparation and classroom activities. This presentation will explore how GenAI can improve education, the importance of equipping teachers with the necessary skills, and strategies for special education directors to provide engaging professional development.
Adele Smolansky, AI-Learners

Early Intervention; Indiana HEA 1558; Science of Reading: Unlocking Student Potential: Empowering Special Education Staff with the Science of Reading
Indiana as recently passed science of reading legislation. This presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of the science of reading, equipping special education staff with evidence-based practices and interventions crucial for effective instruction and individualized support. By understanding the science behind reading, practitioners gain early identification and intervention tools, fostering collaborative approaches and advocacy skills. Moreover, it emphasizes the significance of continuous professional development to stay abreast of evolving research and best practices. Empowering practitioners with this knowledge enhances their ability to support students with diverse needs, ensuring improved outcomes in reading and beyond. Join us in transforming education and unlocking the potential of every student.
Robert Frantum-Allen, MA CSLT, Public Consulting Group, LLC