WI FACETS, WSPEI & DPI
Present
REGIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
For Parents and Professionals
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES CONFERENCE
MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
CHULA VISTA HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
WI DELLS, WISCONSIN
MAY 9, 2015
8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
EVENT PROGRAM
This Conference is supported by a U.S. Dep’t of Education, Office of Special Education grant (PTIC– H328M110014), WI Dep’t of
Public Instruction, and the WI Statewide Parent/Educator Initiative. Training content does not necessarily represent the policy of the
U.S. Dep’t of Education or the WI Department of Public Instruction. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government
or any other participating agency. U.S. Department of Education Project Officer, Perry Williams.
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS! Saturday, May 3, 4—9-3:30 pm
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
MAY 9, 2015
AGENDA
8:30-9:00
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15
Welcome - Bonnie Vander Meulen - WI FACETS Training Coordinator
Cheri Sylla - WSPEI Family Engagement Coordinator
9:15-10:15
Keynote Session: Family Engagement and Results Driven Accountability
Barbara Van Haren, State Director of Special Education, DPI
Historically, special education has placed heavy emphasis on procedural compliance without consideration
of how the requirements impact student learning outcomes. IDEA is now placing a priority on Results
Driven Accountability (RDA), the improvement of educational results and functional outcomes for chil
dren with disabilities, while ensuring the IDEA program requirements are met. Family Engagement was
identified as a core value in Wisconsin’s Results Driven Accountability system. This presentation will pro
vide an overview of the Department’s plan for increasing outcomes of children with disabilities and the
connection to family engagement.
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Session #1
Salon A - Literacy Resources from the DPI to Support Families - Laura Adams & Kay Guberud, DPI
The Department of Public Instruction creates and provides resources for teachers, but did you know that
we also have resources for families to support literacy development? Come check them out in this
interactive session.
Salon B - Growing WI Readers: Intersection of Early Literacy, Public Libraries and the Community Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI
The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is particularly true when it comes to insuring that all
of our children are ready to learn when they start school. Find out how Rock County is using the Growing
Wisconsin Readers program to spark community partnerships for early literacy.
Salon C - Next Generation IEPs - Daniel Parker, DPI
Next Generation IEPs provide IEP teams with a framework to accelerate growth of students with disabilities with a focus on closing achievement gaps. To do this, IEP teams must have high expectations for
students and utilize a standards-based lens when determining students’ academic and functional needs. In
addition to a focus on accelerated growth and achievement of standards, Next Generation IEPs enhance the
capacity of IEP teams to produce results by providing guidance on collaboration, development of strengthbased and student-centered IEPs, utilization of universal design for learning concepts, and the provision
of frameworks to connect academic and functional disability-related needs to services, accommodations,
goals, and supports.
Salon D - Serving on Groups that Make Decisions - Emilie Braunel, WI FACETS
The most effective decision-making groups start with well prepared members. Many times we are on
committees or in meetings (including IEPs) but don’t know what the process is or how to fully participate.
his session will discuss the importance of family engagement in education, the role of family representatives on decision making groups, and the personal skills needed to be an effective group member. Partici
pants will also be introduced to a resource to help navigate decision-making groups.
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
MAY 9, 2015
AGENDA
11:30-12:15
Luncheon Speaker - Patti Williams, DPI - Special Education Legal Updates
This session will provide an update on recent guidance and decisions involving special education law.
12:15 -1:15 Session #2
Salon A - Students with Learning Disabilities and Reading - Debra Heiss, Laura Adams
and Kay Guberud, DPI
Why do we want our children to become readers? This session will explore the continuum of school
reading programs and offer some concrete suggestions for parents to support their child at home.
Salon B - . What We Know About Dyslexia - Cheryl Ward and Pam Heyde, WIBIDA
Most children who struggle with reading and spelling have characteristics of dyslexia. For parents of
these children, the importance of understanding the nature and implications of dyslexia is crucial in help
ing their child develop foundational reading skills.
Salon C - Nurturing Lifelong Literacy by Raising Readers - Mary Jo Ziegler, DPI
Reading is one of the most-researched education topics in every country across the world, and yet finding
the answer to what makes a child a reader, seems elusive. In this session, we will explore the endless
possibilities for nurturing literacy throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence that will foster a love of
learning AND improve reading achievement. Examples and time-tested interactions will be shared.
Salon D - Independent Education Evaluation (IEE) - Paula Volpainsky, DPI
Parents are entitled to an Independent Education Evaluation at no cost to them when they disagree with a
school district’s special education evaluation of their child. The presentation will include a review of
federal law and the department’s guidance on the topic. Time will be allotted for questions.
1:15 - 1:30 Break
1:30 - 2:30 Session #3
Salon A - Spotlight on Reading - Cheryl Ward & Pam Heyde
Learning to read is much like a pyramid. You must have a strong and broad foundation. Reading develops
from well developed oral language abilities, exposure to written language, the ability to hear and the
distinguish sounds of language and the understanding of print and what it can convey. Parents who know
about the development of these skills will be empowered to help strengthen their child’s reading skills .
Salon B - Connecting the IEP and the New State Assessments (ACT and Smarter/Badger) Eva Kubinski, DPI
This session will provide an overview of the connection between student IEPs and Wisconsin’s
State assessments. Participants will learn how IEP teams determine which assessment a student
With a disability will participate in, as well as an overview of the current assessments that are
Part of Wisconsin’s State Assessment System.
Salon C - Universal Design for Learning– Nissan Bar-Lev, CESA 7
This presentation will describe the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Networks/Principals/Guidelines.
When UDL is implemented in the classroom, it removes learning barriers, and allows students to receive
classroom material in multiple ways, express what they learned in multiple ways, and to engage in the
classroom material in multiple ways. The workshop will also describe the multiple ways that teachers can
present information and the multiple ways in which students can get engaged in learning.
2:35 - 3:00 Wrap-Up, Closing Remarks and Door Prize Drawing Bonnie Vander Meulen, WI FACETS, and Cheri Sylla, WSPEI
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
MAY 9, 2015
PRESENTER BIOS
ADAMS, LAURA—DPI CONSULTANT, LITERACY
Laura is currently a Literacy Consultant at the WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI). She works on
a team that creates and shares resources with classroom teachers, administrators, and higher education
faculty to better support all students in achieving success with WI's academic standards in English language arts (Common Core State Standards). Laura has worked on the DPI Title I team, supporting
schools that assist students needing additional supports in English language arts and mathematics. She
also taught in Two Rivers Public Schools 13 years.
BAR-LEV, NISSAN - CESA 7, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Nissan Bar-Lev is the Director of Special Education for Cooperative Educational Service Agency # 7
(CESA 7) a consortium of 38 school districts, and is one of 3 partners in the WI Special Education Mediation System. Nissan serves on the Executive Board of the WI Council of Administrators of Special Services and co-chairs the special projects Committee. He is a member of the national Council of Administrators of Special Education Board of Directors. Nissan serves on the Governor’s Council on Autism,
and is the past president of the Autism Society of WI, and former member of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Autism Council. Nissan chairs the State Superintendent Blind and Visual Impairment
Education Council, and is a member of the WI PBIS State Advisory Council. He served on the WI State
Superintendent’s Council on Exceptional Education, WI Governor’s Council on Youth Apprenticeship,
WI Governor’s Council on Work Force Excellence and the Governor’s task force on statewide assessment of Children with Disabilities. He is a co-author of Special Education in Plain Language.
BRAUNEL, EMILIE - SPDG COORDINATOR, WI FACETS
Emilie Braunel is the State Personnel Development Grant Coordinator at Wisconsin Family Assistance
Center for Education, Training, and Support (WI FACETS) since 2011. Before moving to northern Wisconsin, she worked in the K-12 educational field as both a paraprofessional and a licensed teacher in
Minnesota and Nevada. She has also worked with both children and adults with special needs in and out
of the school setting. She is the parent of two young children.
GUBERUD KAY- DPI, SPECIAL EDUCATION LITERACY CONSULTANT
Kay is a Literacy Consultant for the Special Education Team at the WI DPI. She holds licensure in general education, special education and as a Principal. She has a master’s degree as a Reading Specialist.
Prior to her work at DPI, Kay worked as a Special Education teacher in Boulder, Colorado; and as a
Reading Specialist in Arcadia, Onalaska and Delavan, WI. Kay is the Mother of 2 grown children and is
filling up her empty nest with her cat and her Bernese mountain dog.
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
May 9, 2015
PRESENTER BIOS
GROVER, SHARON - HEAD OF YOUTH SERVICES, HEDBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sharon has spent more than 40 years working with children and families. Most recently, Ms. Grover has
extensively worked with Wisconsin early childhood practitioners, agencies, organizations, and public
libraries as part of collaborative early literacy efforts in Rock County.
HEISS, DEB ADRIAN - DPI CONSULTANT, SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES
Deb is the Consultant for Specific Learning Disabilities at the DPI. She has been actively involved in the
field of learning disabilities her entire professional career. Initially, Deb taught learners with SLD at the
elementary and middle school levels, and, consulted with general education teachers and other team
members to best meet students’ needs. After earning a Ph.D. at the U.W.-Madison, Deb was a faculty
member at the UW-Whitewater and at Cardinal Stritch University. At these universities, Deb helped to
prepare future special educators. These experiences provide a foundation for Deb’s work at DPI, work
that she views as an extension of service to students with SLD, their families, and their teachers.
HEYDE, PAM - READING/DYSLEXIA CONSULTANT
Pam is a reading/dyslexia consultant in private practice in the Madison area. She has worked in this
field for over 25 years. Her background includes Orton-Gillingham, RAV-O, and LETRS instruction.
Currently, she represents the International Dyslexia Association WI Branch (WIBIDA) on the Governor’s Read to Lead Council, and is co-captain of Literate Nation (WI). Pam has also taken a key role in
working on the passage of legislation to improve reading instruction in WI.
KUBINSKI, EVA - DPI CONSULTANT, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM
Eva is a School Administration Consultant on the Special Education Team at the DPI. Her focus is on
assessment, graduation, and disproportionality related to students with disabilities. Before working at
DPI, Eva was a trainer and assistant director of a federally-funded TA center at UW-Madison that served
schools and education departments in six states and several Tribal nations, and a school psychologist in
several WI school districts.
PARKER, DANIEL - DPI CONSULTANT, AUTISM AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
As Autism and Family Engagement Consultant for the WI DPI, Daniel provides autism related professional development across Wisconsin. He has a unique blend of home based, general and special education teaching, and administrative background at the school, district, and statewide levels with a focus on
data, applied behavior analysis, social skills interventions, and the use of technology in teaching. Daniel
works closely with WSPEI and other statewide parent organizations to supports families and educators
with efforts to improve family engagement activities and outcomes for students with disabilities
e
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
May 9, 2015
PRESENTER BIOS
VAN HAREN, BARBARA—STATE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, DPI
Dr. Van Haren is currently the State Director of Special Education at the WI DPI. Barb has worked at the district
and regional levels and in higher education prior to coming to the state level, bringing rural, suburban and urban
experiences. She most recently served as the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services and Regional Service Network Director at CESA #1 for 45 school districts and 23 2r Charter Schools in CESA #1. In the past,
Barb has served as an Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Services for the Howard-Suamico School District and as
an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Barb continues to teach as
an Ad Hoc Professor of Special Education at UWO, specializing in special education collaboration and leadership. Barb is a life-long resident of Wisconsin, attending Wisconsin public schools and the UW system, completing her doctorate in educational administration from UW-Madison. She has served as the past president for
WCASS and The ARC Fox Cities.
VOLPAINSKY, PAULA - DPI CONSULTANT
Paula is a School Administration Consultant at the WI DPI dealing primarily with special education compliance
and complaint investigation. She has been with DPI since 1996. During this time, she has coordinated several major DPI initiatives aimed at helping all students succeed in school including REACH and READs. She also
served as the WI DPI Learning Disability consultant for 7 years and is enjoying temporarily filling in for this position until the currently vacant position is filled. Before coming to DPI, Paula served as an elementary and secondary teacher, special education administrator, and university faculty. Paula has developed TA materials, papers
and reports on variety of special education related topics. She is the proud parent of two adult daughters.
WARD, CHERYL - READING CONSULTANT, NORTH SHORE CENTER
Before working on behalf of students who struggle learning to read, Cheryl was a healthcare administrator for
many years. Her interest in education and knowledge about dyslexia resulted from her youngest being diagnosed
with dyslexia. After leaving healthcare, Cheryl trained at the Scottish Rite Children’s Dyslexia Center (CDC).
Cheryl continues working at the CDC and also works in a multidiscipline private practice, North Shore Center, in
Mequon. Cheryl is a Past-President of the WI Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and is
among the founding members of the WI Reading Coalition and Literate Nation, working to inform educators, legislators, and the public about evidence based reading practices for students and reading preparation for teachers to
ensure all students will be lifelong literate participants in the intellectual process of gaining meaning from print.
WILLIAMS, PATTI - DPI CONSULTANT, SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE
Patricia Williams is a consultant with the WI DPI who works in the area of special education procedural compliance. She is the coordinator for the State IDEA complaint process and is the liaison to the Due Process Hearing
System. She is a former WI DPI liaison to the WI Special Education Mediation System.
ZIEGLER, MARY JO - DPI TITLE 1 LITERACY CONSULTANT
In her 30 years as an educator, Mary Jo has Ziegler taught children from the age of 5 through high school. She is
also mother to two teenagers. Her experiences both in the classroom, and at home, have influenced her work in
literacy leadership positions at the school, district, and state level. Mary Jo has two Master of Science degrees,
one in Curriculum and Instruction with a reading specialist certification, and one in Educational Leadership and
Policy Analysis with certification as a principal and director of instruction.
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WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
May 9, 2015
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS
CHERI SYLLA - CESA #1 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Cheri has worked as a WSPEI Family Engagement Coordinator in Southeastern Wisconsin/Milwaukee
area for over ten years. She assists families with IEP questions and concerns, assists schools with family
engagement activities, and helps connect others to agencies and resources around special education,
family engagement, and disability-related issues. Cheri trains parents in special education topics and has
a particular interest in the transition process for students as they move from high school to the adult
world. She was a school board member of the Elmbrook School District for eight years. Personally
Cheri is the parent of four adult sons, including one who has an intellectual disability.
BONNIE VANDER MEULEN - WI FACETS TRAINING COORDINATOR
Bonnie is a licensed professional counselor with more than 45 years of counseling experience. She has
worked extensively with students and families on all levels of the educational spectrum. She served as a
member of the DPI’s State Special Education Continuous Improvement Focused Monitoring System
Stakeholders group. Previously she worked as the technical advisor for a MIG grant and as primary facilitator for a Department of Education grant at UW-Whitewater in supported education for students
with pervasive and persistent mental illness. Bonnie is a certified CHADD Parent to Parent Trainer, and
has previously served as the Co-Director of CHADD of Walworth County. The mother of an adult child
with multiples disabilities, Bonnie currently serves as the Parent Training Specialist for WI FACETS.
She is responsible for coordinating and implementing WI FACETS trainings for parents and professionals throughout the state.
WI FACETS/WSPEI/DPI
Presents
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES - MISSION: EVERY CHILD A READER
A CONFERENCE FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
May 9, 2015
Thank you for joining us today!
Remember, WI FACETS offers in-person and telephone
workshops each month on a variety of topics.
For the most current list of offerings, please visit our
website at: www.wifacets.org
This conference would not have been possible without the generous
support of several individuals and groups. We would like to extend a
very special thank you to:
Presenters for sharing their time & expertise
Sandra McFarland - WI FACETS
WI FACETS, WSPEI, and DPI Staff
Barb Van Haren & Daniel Parker, DPI
Chula Vista Hotel & Conference Center