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PIL Program: Improving the Achievement of Special Education Students in Reading, Math and Career and Technical Education

Posted on June 04, 2010

September 16 and 17, 2010
Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

On-line Registration

Download Registration Form

Description

The purpose of this PIL program is to provide CTC administrative staff with the special education knowledge and skills to work with instructors to improve the achievement in math and reading of students with IEPs enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE). The 45-hour program will include 16 hours of instruction during the initial session, 25 hours of job-embedded assignments, and a 4-hour culminating session. The program will incorporate on-line technical assistance to participants throughout the program. This PIL addresses Core Standard III (Ability to access and use appropriate data for informed decision-making) to create a culture of teaching and learning with an emphasis on learning.

Specifically, the PIL will provide instruction in creating data driven instructional decisions based on a legally and accurate IEP. The learning-focused PDE Standards Aligned Systems will be an integral component of this PIL program.

Participants will learn how to utilize IEP-based knowledge to create a culture of teaching and learning among CTE instructors. Participants will be able to explain the legal requirements of an IEP and explain how to serve on an IEP team. The new Pennsylvania Department of Education IEP form will be a focal point of instruction. Specifically, CTE instructors will learn of their professional and ethical obligations to the student with an IEP by adhering to the requirements in the IEP. Participants will also understand Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and how to implement it based on the needs identified in the IEP. Progress monitoring will also accompany the SDI instruction so participants will understand how to track student progress in meeting the learning requirements of the IEP.

At the conclusion of the program, participants should be able to:

• Identify targeted levels of student achievement

• Work with teachers to create specially designed instruction (SDI) for students based on needs identified in the IEP

• Implement Progress Monitoring

• Analyze data derived from Progress Monitoring to determine the effectiveness of the SDI

• Modify IEPs as necessary based on student achievement data

Act 45 and 48 Credits

This PIL is approved for Act 45 credit for those who are required to earn PIL credits. It is also approved for regular Act 48 credits for those who are not required to earn Act 45 credits. Act 45 and 48 credits will be awarded upon completion of the entire program.

Date and Location

The initial session for this PIL will be offered on September 16 and 17, 2010 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Thursday, September 16 will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, September 17 will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registration

PACTA is encouraging team participation in this PIL. The cost for the first registrant from a school is $450, the second $400 and the third $300. The charge for additional registrants is $300. The registration fee covers the entire 45-hour course.

Accommodations

A block of rooms for PIL participants has been reserved at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel for the nights of September 15 and 16. The rates are $105.00 single and $115.00 double occupancy. Individuals are responsible for making reservations for hotel accommodations. Identify yourself as part of the PACTA group when making reservations. The group reservation identification number is PACI10A. Make your reservations by August 16, 2009. Reservations made after that date will be on an as available basis at regular rates. The telephone number for the Penn State Conference Center Hotel is (800) 233-7505.

Registrants from Schools Participating in the PDE Technical Assistance Project

54 PACTA member schools are participating in the Bureau of Career and Technical Education’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP). This PIL is a required component of that program. TAP Cohort II schools may send up to three individuals and TAP Cohort III schools may send one individual to this PIL at no cost for the registration fee to the school. PDE will pay the registration fee.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Jackie Cullen at (717) 761-3381or jackie@pacareertech.org.