AGENDA

## 

## 

## [Annual Leadership Conference]{.smallcaps}

##### [IDEA 2004: Supporting Student Success]{.smallcaps}

**[March 29-31, 2005]{.smallcaps}**

**[Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill]{.smallcaps}**

[400 New Jersey Avenue, N.W.]{.smallcaps}

####### [Washington, DC]{.smallcaps}

[202-737-1234]{.smallcaps}

**[Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)]{.smallcaps}**

## U.S. Department of Education

######## ![](media/image1.png){width="1.0in" height="1.0in"}  {#section-2 .unnumbered}

######## [Monday, March 28, 2005]{.smallcaps}

**6:30 PM -- 8:00 PM: Early Registration Regency Foyer**

######## [Tuesday, March 29, 2005]{.smallcaps}

**8:00 AM: Registration Regency Foyer**

######## [Pre-Conference Sessions]{.smallcaps}

**9:00 AM -- 11:30 AM: MSIP Pre-Conference Session -- IDEA 2004 Columbia
A**

> 9:00 AM -- 9:15 AM: Welcome and Opening Comments
>
> Presenter: Ruth Ryder
>
> 9:15 AM -- 9:30 AM: Evaluation of States\' Monitoring and Improvement
> Practices
>
> Presenter: Marsha Brauen, Westat
>
> 9:30 AM -- 10:00 AM: State Eligibility for Funds
>
> Presenter: Ruth Ryder
>
> 10:00 AM -- 10:30 AM: General Supervision
>
> Presenter: Lois Taylor
>
> 10:30 AM -- 10:45 AM: Break
>
> 10:45 AM -- 11:15 AM: Extensions for Liquidation
>
> Presenter: Ruth Ryder

**11:15 AM -- 12:30 PM: Lunch on your own**

**12:30 PM -- 2:30 PM: MSIP Pre-Conference Session (cont.) Columbia A**

> 1:00 PM -- 2:30 PM: Distribution of Funds and Other Funding Issues
>
> Presenters: Suzanne Sheridan, Greg Frane, Mark Snyderman

**1:00 PM -- 2:30 PM: Two Additional Pre-Conference Sessions**

> **Pre-Conference Seminar for Advisory Panel Members Columbia B**
>
> Presenters: John Copenhaver, Ray Miner

Description: The State Advisory Panel has a unique statutory role,
making it vitally important that Panel members have accurate information
on critical current issues. This seminar will give State Advisory Panel
members an opportunity to hear how the conference sessions can assist
them in their role as Panel members. Changes to IDEA 2004 relevant to
stakeholder groups will be discussed.

> **Pre-Conference Seminar for PTIs, CPRCs and RPTACs
> Concord/Lexington/Bunker Hill**
>
> Presenters: Patty Guard, Donna Fluke

Description: Staff from Parent Training and Information Centers,
Community Parent Resource Centers, and Regional Parent Technical
Assistance Centers, funded under Part D of IDEA, provide valuable
support and technical assistance for families of children with
disabilities. This session will give representatives of these Centers an
opportunity to hear how the conference sessions can assist them in their
respective roles. Changes to IDEA 2004 Part D relevant to the Parent
Program will be discussed.

**2:30 PM: Adjourn All Pre-Conference Sessions**

######## [Conference Begins]{.smallcaps} 

**3:00 PM -- 4:30 PM: Regency Ballroom**

> **First General Session: Convening the Conference**
>
> Presenter: JoLeta Reynolds, OSERS
>
> **Message from the OSEP Acting Director**
>
> Presenter: Patty Guard, Acting Director, OSEP
>
> **Agenda Review**
>
> Moderators: Renee Bradley and Larry Wexler, OSEP

#### **Remarks by Conference Partners**

> Presenters: Doug Cox, President, NASDSE
>
> Caroline Moore, WRRC Director, RRFC Network
>
> Sharman Davis Barrett, Co-Director, Technical Assistance Alliance for
> Parent Centers

#### 

#### **IDEA 2004 Implementation and Regulation Process -- Input Session**

> Presenters: Troy Justesen, Thomas B. Irvin, JoLeta Reynolds, OSERS
>
> Description: OSERS Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Troy R.
> Justesen, will give conference participants an update on the status of
> the NPRM development. Dr. Justesen will then be joined by Thomas B.
> Irvin and JoLeta Reynolds and they will conduct a listening session
> that is designed to allow participants to express their views,
> thoughts and comments regarding the impact of the statutory changes on
> the States, LEAs and children with disabilities and their families.
> Please come and join Troy, Tom, and JoLeta for this timely session.

#### 

**4:45 PM: Adjourn**

**5:00 PM -- 6:30 PM: Reception Columbia ABC**

######## [Wednesday, March 30, 2005]{.smallcaps}

**7:30 AM -- 8:30 AM: Early Bird Sessions**

**B/C Data Community of Practice (CoP) Valley Forge**

> Description: This session will begin with an overview of the CoP's
> purpose and goals, a review of topics discussed at the 2004 Leadership
> Meeting, and a summary of how these and other topics were addressed by
> the CoP over the past year. The second part of the session will be a
> facilitated discussion about suggestions for future Data CoP
> activities.

**LRE-Part B Community of Practice for Current and Future Members
Lexington/Bunker Hill**

> Description: The group will have a quick look at current resources
> available through the LRE-Part B Community of Practice, will provide
> guidance on the development of Practice Groups on topics of common
> interest and need, and provide suggestions for web sites to schedule
> for community \"web tours.\"

**8:00 AM -- 8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast Regency Foyer**

**8:30 AM -- 9:30 AM: Regency Ballroom**

> **Second General Session: IDEA 2004 -- On the Road to Success**
>
> Presenters: Mike Armstrong, OH-SEA; Paul Ban, HI-SEA; Rachel
> Quenemoen, National Center for Education Outcomes; Daniel J. Wiener,
> MA‑SEA
>
> Description: Hawaii, Ohio, and Massachusetts are three States that
> have responded to the assessment and accountability requirements of
> NCLB by building the capacity of all of their schools and teachers to
> teach all students in the challenging curriculum. They have committed
> to building a standards-based system that supports student success.
> The reauthorization of IDEA has reinforced their commitment, but their
> road to success started before IDEA 2004 was passed! Representatives
> from these States will speak to what caused them to respond to NCLB
> requirements in this way, and to how they are moving forward with all
> stakeholders and partners. Although the three States are at very
> different stages of development, they have found it helpful to share
> information, ideas, and support with one another.

**9:30 AM -- 9:45 AM: Break Regency Foyer**

**9:45 AM -- 11:00 AM: Concurrent Sessions**

> **Breakout I: Road to Success Cont. Yellowstone/Everglades**
>
> OSEP Staff: Lou Danielson, Ruth Ryder
>
> Description: This session will allow for a more in-depth discussion
> with the \"On the Road to Success\" presenters. Presenters will focus
> on specific strategies, difficulties, politics, policies, and
> opportunities in an interactive format that will allow other States to
> share information and ideas.
>
> **Breakout II: Response to Intervention Panel Lexington/Bunker Hill**
>
> OSEP Staff: Ingrid Oxaal, Rex Shipp
>
> Presenters: Doug Fuchs and Daryl Mellard, National Research Center on
> Learning Disabilities; Carol Sadler, Tigard-Tualtin School District
>
> Description: Doug Fuchs and Daryl Mellard of the OSEP-funded National
> Research Center on Learning Disabilities will present a model
> responsiveness-to-intervention (RTI) framework that reflects current
> \"best practices\" in the scientific literature. They will complement
> this with what they have learned about the \"state-of-practice\" from
> a nationwide search of States and districts that have been
> implementing exemplary RTI programs. Carol Sadler will discuss RTI
> from the school district perspective.
>
> **Breakout III: PBIS Panel Columbia C**
>
> OSEP Staff: Renee Bradley, Paul Steenen
>
> Presenters: George Sugai, Educational and Community Supports; Cyndi
> Boezio, Colorado Department of Education; Suana Wessendorf, Iowa
> Department of Education
>
> Description: The purpose of this session will be to describe the core
> features of a state-wide implementation of school-wide positive
> behavior support. Core features will focus on basic organizational
> requirements, implementation steps, and outcome information. In
> addition, two examples (Iowa and Colorado) will be presented to
> illustrate variations in the process.
>
> **Breakout IV: The National Instructional Materials Accessibility
> Standard (NIMAS) and Universal Design:\
> Implications for Student Success Columbia B**
>
> OSEP Staff: Bonnie Jones, Marie Mayor
>
> Presenters: Chuck Hitchcock, Chief Education Technology Officer, CAST;
> Bonnie Jones, OSEP; Dave Schleppenbach, CEO, ghBraille LLC
>
> Description: The purpose of the panel is to introduce the IDEA 2004
> NIMAS requirements for States and locals; describe the need for NIMAS;
> demonstrate how NIMAS actually "works" to promote access to the
> general education curriculum; and use examples that demonstrate the
> effectiveness of universally design instruction.
>
> **Breakout V: Alternate Assessment/Alternate Achievement Standards
> Valley Forge**
>
> OSEP Staff: Cindy Bryant, Dave Malouf
>
> Presenters: Jacqui Kearns, Project Director of the National
> Collaborative Center on Standards and Assessment Development; Sue
> Rigney, OESE
>
> Description: IDEA 2004 expands State requirements for ensuring that
> all students with disabilities are included in State accountability
> systems. The added language in the new statute creates a closer
> alignment with the requirements of NCLB, particularly for students
> with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The presenters will
> provide information critical to the development of alternate
> achievement standards and alternate assessments aligned with those
> standards for students with the most significant cognitive
> disabilities. These presentations will be followed by an opportunity
> for the audience to engage in discussion with the presenters.
>
> **Breakout VI: Using Evidence-Based Curriculum Congressional CDE**
>
> OSEP Staff: Kristen Lauer, Larry Ringer
>
> Presenter: Mary Watson, Director, NC-SEA
>
> Description: State and local education officials and educators must
> sort through a number of curricula and interventions to determine
> which should be adopted in their schools. However, introducing a
> scientific/evidence-based curriculum in schools is only the first step
> toward transforming the quality of instruction and improving student
> outcomes. This session will discuss the challenges faced when
> scaling-up the use of scientific/evidence-based curricula. Suggestions
> for building the capacity of State and Local Education Agencies to
> adopt evidence-based curricula will also be provided.
>
> **Breakout VII: Improving the Performance of Students with
> Disabilities in Reading City School District Columbia A**
>
> OSEP Staff: Margaret Romer & Anne Smith
>
> Presenters: Elizabeth Kozleski, National Institute for Urban School
> Improvement; Connie Garafalo, Principal; Jason Jones, 4th Grade
> Teacher; Belinda Binford, Parent, Reading Central Community Elementary
>
> Description: A systemic change agenda that links federal, State, local
> and school-wide efforts is critical for sustaining school progress
> over time. Central Elementary School in Reading City School District
> has been identified as a School of Promise that has successfully
> leveraged LEA supports and high expectations for all students to
> increase student performance. This session will combine a brief look
> at student results at the school level with a description by a school
> team about how they have been able to meet AYP by raising all student
> achievement. Technical assistance through national and state-wide
> efforts has increased the school\'s capacity for sustained school
> improvement activities.

**11:00 AM -- 11:15 AM: Break Regency Foyer**

**11:15 AM -- 12:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions**

> \[Repeat of the above sessions: This will allow conference
> participants to attend two sessions.\]

**12:45 PM -- 2:15 PM: Regency Ballroom**

> **Third General Session: Luncheon and Keynote Address: OSEP
> Accountability Under IDEA 2004:** **State Performance Plans, Annual
> Performance Report, and 618 Data**
>
> Presenters: Ruth Ryder, Director, Monitoring and State Improvement
> Planning; Lou Danielson, Director, Research to Practice

**2:15 PM -- 2:30 PM: Break Regency Foyer**

**2:30 PM -- 3:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions**

> **Breakout I: States\' Needs in Meeting the Requirements for Highly
> Qualified Teachers Lexington/Bunker Hill**
>
> OSEP Staff: Cindy Bryant, Helen Thornton
>
> Presenters: Rene Islas, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary,
> OESE; Mabrey Whetstone, AL-SEA
>
> Description: States are making progress toward ensuring that all
> teachers of core academic subjects are highly qualified. IDEA 2004
> specifically addresses the requirements under NCLB for ensuring that
> special education teachers are highly qualified. The session
> presenters will set the stage for a discussion around the challenges
> States are facing and their emerging approaches as they continue to
> make progress in developing a highly qualified workforce.
>
> **Breakout II: New 618 Data Requirements Columbia B**
>
> OSEP Staff: Judy Holt, Rex Shipp
>
> Presenters: Judy Holt, Rex Shipp

# 

# Description: IDEA 2004 requires changes in the collection of annual data from States. OSEP is working toward implementation of those changes. This session will provide a briefing on OSEP\'s progress toward implementation of data changes.

> **Breakout III: Discipline Provisions -- Issues From the Field Valley
> Forge**
>
> OSEP Staff: JoLeta Reynolds, Renee Bradley, Ellen Safranek
>
> Description: Staff from OSERS/OSEP will conduct a listening session
> regarding the statutory provisions of IDEA 2004 related to discipline.
> The session will include a very brief summary of the changes made
> during the 2004 Reauthorization, however, the majority of the time
> will be spent allowing participants to express their views, thoughts
> and comments on the impact of the legislative changes to the States,
> LEAs and children with disabilities and their families. Please come
> and share your thinking about this important topic.
>
> **Breakout IV: State Personnel Development Grant Changes (formerly
> SIG) Yellowstone/Everglades**
>
> OSEP & OGC Staff: Larry Wexler, Patricia Gonzalez, Rhonda Weiss
>
> Description: This presentation will focus on the transformation of the
> State Improvement Grant to the State Personnel Development Grant
> Program. The Project Officer will discuss the differences between the
> two programs and be available for technical assistance to potential
> applicants. The attorney responsible for the State Personnel
> Development Grant Program will be available to respond from a legal
> perspective. The presentation will also include suggestions from the
> five-year State Improvement Grant evaluation project for effective
> project design, implementation and evaluation.
>
> **Breakout V: Performance Plans: Opportunity for Input on Performance
> Plans Congressional CDE**
>
> OSEP Staff: Lou Danielson, Ruth Ryder
>
> Description: Staff from OSEP will conduct an input session regarding
> State performance plans. The session will include a very brief summary
> of the changes made to the performance plans, however, the majority of
> the time will be spent allowing participants to suggest any changes to
> the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report package which
> is currently out for input. Please come and share your thinking about
> this important topic.
>
> **Breakout VI: Monitoring, Enforcement, and Technical Assistance
> Columbia C**
>
> OSEP Staff: Donna Fluke, Jane Hauser, Larry Ringer
>
> Description: This session will outline changes in two key sections of
> the statute, one related to technical assistance in general, the other
> related to enforcement issues. Discussion will focus on potential
> implications that these sections of the law may have on States and
> their partners, on OSEP's Technical Assistance and Dissemination
> Network, on the role of the Parent Technical Assistance Centers, and
> on the collaborative work of OSEP's two divisions.
>
> **Breakout VII: Disproportionality Columbia A**
>
> OSEP Staff: Grace Zamora Duran, Michael Slade
>
> Presenters: Julie Bollmer, Westat, Elizabeth Kozleski, NCCRESt
>
> Description: The disproportionate representation of students from
> culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds has taken on
> increased prominence in IDEA 2004. Disproportionality is highlighted
> in five sections of the law. Given the increased attention to
> disproportionality, this session will highlight changes to the
> statute, provide information about existing support for calculating
> disproportionality, and provide information about NCCRESt, the
> National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems and its
> role in technical assistance and dissemination to State educational
> agencies.

**3:30 PM -- 4:00 PM: Break Regency Foyer**

**4:00 PM -- 5:00 PM: Concurrent Sessions**

> \[Repeat of the above sessions: This will allow conference
> participants to attend two sessions.\]

**5:00 PM: Conference Day Ends**

**[Thursday, March 31, 2005]{.smallcaps}**

**7:00 AM -- 8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast Regency Foyer**

**8:00 AM -- 9:00 AM: Third General Session -- High Performing Students,
High Performing School Regency Ballroom**

> Presenters: Dr. Mel Riddile, Principal, J. E. B. Stuart High School,
> Falls Church, Virginia; Sandy Switzer, Literacy Coach, J. E. B. Stuart
> High School; J. E. B. Stuart High School Parent (invited)
>
> Description: New high school initiatives (President Bush\'s High
> School Initiative, National Governors Association) are focusing
> national attention on the challenges associated with developing and
> maintaining schools that demonstrate significant student achievement
> and that prepare students well for success after graduation. J. E. B.
> Stuart High School is a high achieving school despite a high poverty
> rate, is considered a national model, and has achieved recognition
> over a number of years for providing access to a rigorous curriculum
> for all students in its school. This session will highlight the key
> strategies used to implement significant changes throughout the
> school, including its literacy program, to raise the achievement of
> students with multiple challenges to success.

**9:00 AM -- 9:15 AM: Break Regency Foyer**

**9:15 AM -- 10:00 AM: Concurrent Sessions**

> **Breakout I: High Risk Pool Congressional CDE**
>
> OSEP Staff: Scott Brown, Larry Wexler
>
> Presenters: Doug Gill, WA-SEA; Heather Hebdon, Director, STOMP
>
> Description: IDEA 2004 allows States to establish a State-level Risk
> Pool Fund to assist local educational agencies in providing FAPE to
> high-need/cost children. It allows a State to reserve 10% of their
> State level funds (approximately 1% of total Part B formula grant
> award) to help local districts with costs for high-need and high-cost
> students. This session will:

-   familiarize the audience with the statutory requirements;

-   provide an overview of existing State high cost funds;

-   provide an overview of the benefits and challenges of a State high
    cost fund in existence for over ten years; and

-   provide a parent perspective and reaction to the State's high cost
    fund.

> **Breakout II: Early Intervening Congressional A**
>
> OSEP Staff: Renee Bradley, Lois Taylor
>
> Presenter: Carol Sadler, Tigard-Tualtin School District, Tigard, OR
>
> Description: Under IDEA 2004 LEAs may use up to 15% of their Part B
> funds to fund Early Intervening services for nondisabled children.
> This session will explore the new provision of early intervening. A
> presentation of the statutory provisions and review of the relevant
> committee report language will be followed by a discussion of
> evidence-based practices that States and districts may want to
> consider. A district model incorporating some of these practices will
> also be shared highlighting successes and challenges. The session will
> conclude with a discussion on possible implementation challenges and
> needed technical assistance.
>
> **Breakout III: Part C Flexibility Columbia Foyer**
>
> OSEP Staff: Beth Caron, Nancy Treusch
>
> Presenters: Kala Surprenant (OGC); Jule Reynolds, IA PTI; Kathy
> Clayton, TX SEA (invited)
>
> Description: This session will involve a facilitated discussion of the
> new IDEA provision to allow States the option of continuing to provide
> early intervention services under Part C to children who are eligible
> for preschool services under section 619.
>
> **Breakout IV: Procedural Safeguards; Resolution Sessions; Response to
> Due Process Requests; Hearing Limitations Columbia B**
>
> OSEP Staff: Peggy Cvach, Kim Mitchell
>
> Presenters: Frank Lopez, OGC; Marshall Peter, Director, CADRE; Jeanne
> Bowman, Alliance Technical Assistance Coordinator, PTAC 6 in
> California.
>
> Description: This session will include a presentation about the
> statutory changes in procedural safeguards, resolution sessions,
> response to due process requests and hearing limitations; resources
> available to States as they implement the new statute and potential
> policy issues; and a parent\'s perspective on the implication of the
> statutory changes and new opportunities at the community level.
>
> **Breakout V: IEPs and Progress Monitoring Columbia A**
>
> OSEP Staff: Ingrid Oxaal, Paul Steenen
>
> Presenters: Nancy Safer and Whitney Donaldson, National Center for
> Student Progress Monitoring
>
> Description: Student progress monitoring is a tool that can be used
> to assess present levels of student academic performance, develop
> annual goals, and report progress in achieving annual goals for
> individualized educational programs. Teachers also use student
> progress monitoring methods as a means for monitoring student learning
> and adjusting instruction. This session will describe the use of
> curriculum-based measurement in reading and mathematics in the
> development of IEPs. In addition, a process by which teachers can
> examine data and make meaningful decisions about the overall
> effectiveness of their instruction will be described.
>
> **Breakout VI: Private Schools -- Input Listening Session Valley
> Forge**
>
> OSEP Staff: Anne Smith, Sheila Friedman
>
> Description: Staff from OSEP will conduct a listening session
> regarding the statutory provisions of IDEA 2004 related to children
> enrolled in private schools by their parents. The session will include
> a very brief summary of the changes made during the 2004
> Reauthorization, however, the majority of the time will be spent
> allowing participants to express their views, thoughts and comments on
> the impact of the legislative changes to the States, LEAs and children
> with disabilities and their families. Please come and share your
> thinking about this important topic.

**10:00 AM -- 10:15 AM: Break Regency Foyer**

**10:15 AM -- 11:00 AM: Repeat of Concurrent Sessions**

> \[Repeat of the above sessions: This will allow conference
> participants to attend two sessions.\]

**11:30 AM -- 1:00 PM: Lunch (on your own)**

> **Regional Luncheons (by invitation)**
>
> Region One Valley Forge
>
> Region Two Columbia B
>
> Region Three Columbia A
>
> Region Four Columbia Foyer
>
> Region Five Congressional CDE
>
> Region Six Congressional A

**1:00 PM -- 3:00 PM: Fourth General Session: OSEP Technical Assistance
Regency Ballroom**

> OSEP Staff: Renee Bradley, Lou Danielson, Ruth Ryder, Larry Wexler
>
> Description: This session will provide an overview of OSEP\'s TA&D
> strategies to implement IDEA 2004, including a presentation of:

-   OSEP\'s draft vision statement for TA&D;

-   The TA&D Matrix;

-   TA&D Templates; and

-   Upcoming TA&D Events.

> An opportunity will be provided for participant input.

**3:00 PM -- 3:15 PM: Break Regency Foyer**

**3:15 PM -- 4:00 PM: Fifth General Session Regency Ballroom**

#### **Keynote Address: Access to Excellence for People with Disabilities** 

> Presenter: John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special
> Education and Rehabilitative Services

**4:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Adjournment**

###### 

###### Presenter: Patty Guard, Acting Director, OSEP