At the national level, we know there have been meaningful and research-supported changes in special education law. Changes in IDEA, for the first time have been made with the idea that schools will not have to invent tools, technologies, and strategies. Field-tested, practical and efficient ways of accomplishing what IDEA intends are currently available. We believe that we should support and assist you in implementing the kinds of technologies clearly implied in IDEA . These local and national needs align with our capacity to provide support to local school systems and practitioners.
Capacity building is the sum of interest, expertise, and time.
We have more expertise to support change than ever before, in large part because of our success in attracting practitioners to the School Psychology Program who have worked within school systems to support special education change. References about her ability to work with school staff are available from principals, teachers, school psychologists, and special education administrators. Madi Phillips, Ed. S. who worked for 2 years as a school psychologist and staff development person in the Heartland Area Agency in Iowa, and for a year in Deerfield, Illinois. References about her ability to work with school staff are available.