The Virginia Department of Education, Office of Student Services is pleased to announce the fall institute addressing disproportionality, "Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together: Aligning Resources for Improved Student Outcomes", to be held September 30 - October 1, 2009, at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center,  Roanoke, Virginia. The focus of the institute is to partner with instructional leaders to examine general education practices and early intervention strategies that may contribute to fewer students being referred for special education services. Particular emphasis will be on instruction for reading and math, as well as behavior challenges for minority students. The institute will include a planning session to provide an opportunity for every school division to examine its' procedures for promoting student success.  The recommended participation for this conference is a team of at least three form a school division, particularly instructional administrators, coordinators, and principals.

For room reservations, please call the hotel directly at 540-985-9500 or toll free at 1-866-594-4722 (between the hours of 8:00am - 5:30pm Monday thru Friday) and ask for the Creating Connections 2008 room block.

2009    VDOE DISPROPORTIONALITY INSTITUTE

September 30 – October 1, 2009

PUTTING THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER:  Aligning Resources for Improved Student Outcomes

 The focus of this Institute is to partner with instructional leaders to examine general education practices and early intervention strategies that may contribute to fewer students being referred for special education services. Particular emphasis will be on reading, math and behavior challenges for minority students. The Institute will also include planning sessions to provide an opportunity for every school division to examine its’ procedures for promoting student success.

September 30, 2009

 12:00 – 12:45 Conference Registration

 12:45 – 1: 00 Welcome - Doug Cox & Cindy Cave

 1:00 – 2:10 Keynote Speaker - Dr. Wade Boykin, Professor, Howard University

Dr. Boykin will focus on the whole child approach with attention to the cultural context of creating conditions that promote high achievement for all students.

 2:10 –2:30 Break

 2:30 – 3:15 Current trends in Virginia   Dr. Deborah Jonas & Dr. Vivian Stith-Williams

Presentation on where we now: achievement gap, disproportionality, dropout and graduation rate; where we need to go! State Plan and Division Action Plans

 3:15 – 4:30 LEA Presentations

Representatives from selected schools will discuss the processes they used to move their schools toward success, AYP and improved outcomes for students.

4:30 – 5:30 VDOE  Presentations

                      Ginna Glover -Reading Instruction             

                      Irene Walker-Bolton - Effective Schoolwide Discipline

                      Debbie Wickham -Math Instruction       

                      Susie Trulove - Response to Intervention

                      Wayne Barry – Instructional Consultation Teams

  5:45 - 6:45 Networking          

October 1, 2009

 7:00 – 8:00 Breakfast

 8:00 – 10:00  Breakout sessions

Individual school representatives will share in more detail how they have been able to make significant improvements in academic and behavior gains for all students. A researcher will provide the evidence-based perspective for each of the top areas to balance the presentations.

10:00 – 10:15 Break

·        Math instruction – Saunders Elementary School & Dr. Debbie Wickham

·        Reading instruction – Yancey Elementary School & Rachel Swords, NNPS           

·        Behavior Management – Prince Williams Schools

·        Cultural Responsive Practices – Dr. Tonika Green, San Diego State University

·        Connecting with African American males – Dr. Brenda Townsend Walker

·        Parent & Student Engagement – Dr. Jeffrey Lewis University of Wisconsin

 10:15 – 11:45 School Teams Action Planning

 11:45 – 1:00   Lunch Keynote Speaker - 

1:00 – 3:00 Repeat Breakout Sessions 

·        Math instruction – Saunders Elementary School & Dr. Debbie Wickham

·        Reading instruction – Yancey Elementary School & Rachel Swords, NNPS           

·        Behavior Management – Prince Williams Schools

·        Cultural Responsive Practices – Dr. Tonika Green, San Diego State University

·        Connecting with African American males – Dr. Brenda Townsend Walker

·        Parent & Student Engagement – Dr. Jeffrey Lewis University of Wisconsin

 3:00 – 3:30   Evaluation and Closing