2015 Wisconsin RtI Summit
Pre-conference Workshops
(Separate Registration Required)
Wednesday, March 4:
8:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
1.
Registration - Convention Center Lobby
Pre-Conference Workshops
Investigating Achievement Gaps with Public Data
During this workshop, participants should bring technology to investigate achievement gaps for their
schools. Participants will closely analyze data from school report cards as well as WISEdash public.
Teams will also learn the steps for meaningful data inquiry and how to link data findings to closing
gaps strategies.
Presenter: Judy Sargent, WISExplore Team, CESA 7
2.
UDL: ALL ABOARD! Designing Learning Environments for ALL!
Everyone’s journey: each school, district, and class will be unique to them (just as a trip/vacation is
unique to the travelers). However, having been on a similar trip/journey with my district, I have
learned some key ideas that may help you plan your trip! Just as with any well planned vacation,
there are many details to consider. Think of me as your friendly UDL Tour Guide.
Phase 1: Exploration: It's all about selling the trip! (Buy-in). Why? Because it's the most awesome
place you could ever go with students!
UDL Coach, Teacher buy-in (excitement).
Phase 2: Prepare: Seems like a good fit...how did we book this trip?
Phase 3: Integrate: How do we reflect and measure changes toward implementing UDL?
Phase 4: Scale--It's working in some classrooms, schools or pockets. What are the next steps to bring
it to scale?
Phase 5: Optimize- integrated into many of the school district and how do we reach our goal for
continual improvement?
Presenters: Kim Schiefelbein, UDL Coach; John Flannery, Director of Curriculum and
Instruction; and Lisa Dawes, Director of Student Services, Oconomowoc School District
11:30 a.m.
Lunch on your own
2015 Wisconsin RtIi Summit Program
Reaching Varied Learners
Within a Culturally Responsive Multi Level System of Support
Wednesday, March 4:
1:00 p.m.
Welcome - Exhibit Hall C
Dr. Jon Bales, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators
1:15 p.m.
General Session - Exhibit Hall C
Chaired by Jon Bales, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School District
Administrators
1:15 p.m.
Promoting Excellence For All
Presenter: Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent
1:45 p.m.
Wisconsin Teachers of the Year - IGNITE TALKS
• Kay Zastrow, Green Bay – Using Challenging Behaviors to Teach Social Skill
Development
• Terry Kaldhusdal, Kettle Moraine – Elevator Speech for Parents on the Common Core
• Jane McMahon, Baraboo – Putting Panache into Your Gifted and Talented Program
• Rachel Rydzewski, Madison – Addressing Implicit Bias in Education
2:15 p.m.
Break
2:30 p.m.
Promotion Excellence for All: How to Eliminate Variation in Educational Experiences
for All Students
Presenter: Dr. Demond Means, Supt., Mequon-Thiensville
4:15 p.m.
Team Time Reception - Hyatt Atrium
5:30 p.m.
Adjourn for the day.
Thursday, March 5:
7:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast - Convention Center Lobby
8:00 a.m.
Breakouts
1.
Title I and Excellence for All: Secondary Instruction That Works
The overarching purpose of ESEA and Title I is to promote equity in education. As we work toward the
"College and Career Ready" goal of Agenda 2017, we must consider how our secondary schools promote
excellence for ALL students. Designing instruction that supports successful learning for each student at the
secondary level requires collaboration, content, and instructional knowledge. It also takes an intense desire to
guide every student to success.
No single teacher can do it alone, but when a system is designed to support teachers, while challenging them
to collaborate in meeting individual student needs, student success occurs. This session will describe some of
the key components of a multi-level system of support at the secondary level, and the specific actions taken
by teachers to make the most of that system using highly effective and engaging curriculum and instruction.
Guidance around the use of Title I funds to support this work will be embedded in the discussion. Participants
will leave with a system vision and specific strategies that can be used across disciplines to promote student
learning.
Presenters: Blair Perzentka, NCTE Teacher of Excellence, and Mary Jo Ziegler, Title I and School
Success Consultant, Marshall School District
2.
Implementing a Culturally Responsive RtI/PBIS System at the Selected and Intensive Levels:
Tomorrow River School District’s Journey
Amherst Elementary and Middle School will share their journey from creating to implementing our RtI/PBIS
system. We will talk about how we got started, who and what resources and data helped us along the way, and
where we are today. We will also be sharing snapshots of our system's procedures, protocols, interventions
and assessment tools.
Presenters: Sarah Scheunemann, Elementary RtI Teacher; Roberta Snyder, Middle School RtI Teacher;
Crystal Lutz, Grade 4 Teacher and PBIS/RtI Internal Coach; and Sherry Oleson, Director of Curriculum
& Instruction and PBIS/RtI External Coach; Amherst Elementary and Middle School, Tomorrow River
School District
3.
The Evolution of Data-Based, Multi-Level Academic Supports in a Rural Wisconsin School
District
This presentation will discuss the Westby Area School District's screening and progress monitoring systems
and their use in educator effectiveness (SLO's and PPG's) as well as identifying individual student needs for
progressively intensive reading and math interventions. Additionally, the multi-year process for identifying
interventions currently in the district, identifying interventions needed in the district, purchasing interventions,
and providing training on purchased interventions will also be discussed. Specific interventions for low socioeconomic-status and ELL students will be presented. The use of PLC teams and preliminary intervention
results will also be presented.
Presenters: Scott Moline, School Psychologist, and Jason Windsor, Dir. of Special Ed. and Pupil
Services, Westby School District
4.
Where To Start? Using EWS to Develop an RTI Framework
Our presentation will focus on Wausau East High School’s implementation and use of the Early Warning
System (EWS) and the Dropout Early Warning System (DEWS) from DPI to create an effective and practical
RTI program. As a school struggling to accommodate and modify our approach to meet the needs of our
changing demographics, we want to utilize data already available to us and use it to improve instruction in all
content areas. Teachers are able to use this information to adjust and modify instruction in order to meet the
needs of our ever-increasing at-risk population. It is a journey that started over a year ago, and one we continue
to develop each and every day.
Presenters: Kelly Rohr, RTI and Academic Enrichment Coordinator, and Chris Budnik, Assistant
Principal, Wausau East High School, Wausau School District
5.
Finding Student Centered Solutions for Learning Emergencies: One Step at a Time
RtI at the Middle Level: Identifying and Responding to Student Learning Needs.
Developing a system of research based responses to individual student needs at the middle level begins with
courageous conversations and a belief that ALL students can and will learn at high levels with the proper time
and support. This session will focus on the impact of school culture and the questions that need to be asked
and answered by teachers, support staff, and administrators to empower a school-wide systematic response to
individual learning needs at the secondary level. One principal will share her story related to this educational
challenge at the middle level.
Presenter: Stacey Everson, Principal, Menomonie Middle School, Menomonie School District
6.
Results-Driven Accountability in Wisconsin: Improving Reading Outcomes for Students with
Disabilities
This presentation will outline Wisconsin's approach to Results-Driven Accountability (RDA), a new approach
to special education accountability and supports that balances compliance and literacy outcomes for students
with disabilities. Specifics will be provided on how this system aligns with Wisconsin's Agenda 2017 priority
areas, and how implementing a culturally responsive multi-level system of support can help accomplish these
aligned goals.
Presenters: Julia Hartwig, Asst. Dir. for RDA; Kay Guberud, Special Education Literacy Consultant; and
Barb Novak, Literacy Consultant, DPI
7.
Data mapping to examine racialization of behavioral problems and transform Wisconsin schools
from the ground-up
Federal and local legislation and programs such as Response to Intervention (RtI) and Positive Behavior
Interventions and Supports (PBIS) demand educators to collect and use meaningful and practical data in
schoolwide decision-making and problem solving activities. In this presentation, we will present the
development and use of the interactive data maps in the Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Interventions
and Supports (CRPBIS) Project. In close collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction,
the CRPBIS Data Maps were developed as a tool for understanding and addressing disproportionality by
improving behavioral support systems in Wisconsin schools.
Presenter: Aydin Bal, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
8.
Motivated and Engaged Learners: It starts with a Growth Mindset
One of the biggest challenges teachers face today at all levels of support is student motivation. A fixed mindset
approach to learning contributes to this challenge. If we want students to be in charge of their own learning,
and to be persistent and resilient learners, promoting a growth mindset is an important first step. This session
will offer strategies and resources for teachers to support students taking charge of their own education through
a growth mindset, knowing that learning is about hard work and effort. Attendees will leave the session with
an overview of Fixed versus Growth Mindset approaches to learning and a variety of strategies to support a
growth mindset with students.
Presenters: Amy Miller, Advanced Learner Coordinator, and Maria Katsaros-Molzahn, Teacher of
Advanced Learners, Oregon School District
9.
Family Engagement in a Culturally Responsive Multi-level System of Support
A vast amount of research exists connecting the importance of families in their child’s education - specifically,
increased grades, higher achievement test scores, lower drop-out rates, and increased sense of self-efficacy.
The focus of this session is how a small rural school and an urban school have used family engagement
strategies to strengthen and enhance their implementation of a culturally responsive multi-level system of
support. Participants will leave with practical resources they can adapt and use within their districts.
Presenters: Allison Space, Principal, Wabeno Elementary; Dr. Carrie Willer, Principal, Franklin
Elementary, Appleton Area School District; and Sheree Garvey, Coordinator of School
Improvement/PBIS and Parent Partnerships, Appleton Area School District
10.
UDL: ALL ABOARD! Designing Learning Environments for ALL!
It started with a need for change: Without our district's prior work (2 years before) in Social Justice and a
paradigm shift to inclusive learning environments, we would not be where we are with Universal Design for
Learning. Through that 2 year process, we developed non-negotiables as a district through focus groups. Once
those were established, a framework like UDL was/is possible to implement and is rooted in that overall belief
that ALL means ALL...meaning we have to design our learning environment for ALL students. Just as the
variability of our students is unique to each classroom, UDL implementation is unique to each situation and is
a recursive process.
Presenters: Kim Schiefelbein, UDL Coach, and John Flannery, Director of Curriculum and Instruction,
Oconomowoc School District
9:00 a.m.
Break
9:15 a.m.
1.
Breakouts
Title I and Excellence for All: Secondary Instruction That Works
The overarching purpose of ESEA and Title I is to promote equity in education. As we work toward the
"College and Career Ready" goal of Agenda 2017, we must consider how our secondary schools promote
excellence for ALL students. Designing instruction that supports successful learning for each student at the
secondary level requires collaboration, content, and instructional knowledge. It also takes an intense desire to
guide every student to success.
No single teacher can do it alone, but when a system is designed to support teachers, while challenging them
to collaborate in meeting individual student needs, student success occurs. This session will describe some of
the key components of a multi-level system of support at the secondary level, and the specific actions taken
by teachers to make the most of that system using highly effective and engaging curriculum and instruction.
Guidance around the use of Title I funds to support this work will be embedded in the discussion. Participants
will leave with a system vision and specific strategies that can be used across disciplines to promote student
learning.
Presenters: Blair Perzentka, NCTE Teacher of Excellence, and Mary Jo Ziegler, Title I and School
Success Consultant, Marshall School District
2.
Implementing a Culturally Responsive RtI/PBIS System at the Selected and Intensive Levels:
Tomorrow River School District’s Journey
Amherst Elementary and Middle School will share their journey from creating to implementing our RtI/PBIS
system. We will talk about how we got started, who and what resources and data helped us along the way, and
where we are today. We will also be sharing snapshots of our system's procedures, protocols, interventions
and assessment tools.
Presenters: Sarah Scheunemann, Elementary RtI Teacher; Roberta Snyder, Middle School RtI Teacher;
Crystal Lutz, Grade 4 Teacher, PBIS/RtI Internal Coach; and Sherry Oleson, Director of Curriculum &
Instruction, PBIS/RtI External Coach; Amherst Elementary and Middle School, Tomorrow River School
District
3.
The Evolution of Data-Based, Multi-Level Academic Supports in a Rural Wisconsin School
District
This presentation will discuss the Westby Area School District's screening and progress monitoring systems
and their use in educator effectiveness (SLO's and PPG's) as well as identifying individual student needs for
progressively intensive reading and math interventions. Additionally, the multi-year process for identifying
interventions currently in district, identifying interventions needed in the district, purchasing interventions,
and providing training on purchased interventions will also be discussed. Specific interventions for low socioeconomic-status and ELL students will be presented. The use of PLC teams and preliminary intervention
results will also be presented.
Presenters: Scott Moline, School Psychologist, and Jason Windsor, Director of Special Education and
Pupil Services, Westby School District
4.
Growing a Culture of Excellence Through Responsive Systems
Using systems to organize structural supports within a school building that help change culture and grow
student success. This presentation will touch on the following systems that have been strategically designed
to build a culture of excellence in our school: 1. Early Warning Systems and Grade Level Data Meetings, 2.
Morning Faculty Meetings, 3. All School Advisory Hour, and 4. Linking School and Student Learning
Objectives to Your Building Goals.
Presenters: Jill Sharp, Principal, and Kara Muthig, School Psychologist, Wittenberg Birnamwood High
School, Wittenberg Birnamwood School District
5.
A Collaborative Approach to a Systematized RtI Process
"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." -Mattie
Stepanek
Forest Park Middle School is a Wisconsin RtI Center Recognized School realizing positive outcomes and
student growth through the RtI framework. Learn about our journey to responsiveness leading to student and
school success. In this presentation, we will address the following:
*Structures, roles and responsibilities for RtI implementation
*Collaborative structures for success
*Data analysis and reflection for continuous growth
*Q&A about successes and struggles
Presenters: Chris Reuter, Principal; Kathy Dercks, School Pyschologist; Erin King, Associate Principal;
and Katie McBride, Reading Specialist; Forest Park Middle School, Franklin School District
6.
An Authentic Conversation: Systems, Data, Practices to Consider when Meeting the
Requirements of the SLD Rule through a MLSS
In this session, we will model conversations that may be occurring in your schools and districts relative to
meeting the Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) eligibility requirements. Specifically, the conversation will
explore how a multi-level system of supports (MLSS) framework acts as a foundation, how to use data to
create ‘decision systems’ versus data systems, and shifting the focus away from ‘which intervention’ to ‘what
do we need the intervention to do.’
Presenters: Deb Adrian Heiss, Consultant, Specific Learning Disabilities, DPI, and Dana McConnell,
Coordinator of Instructional Supports for Students With Disabilities, Wisconsin RtI Center
7.
Integrating Classroom Management and EE
Panel discussion featuring schools that have used the Classroom Management On-Line resource to address
implementing PBIS at the classroom level, and how this fits with Educator Effectiveness.
Presenters: Tanya Sanderfoot, Teacher/Internal Coach, and Kim Yeghiaian, School Psychologist,
Kimberly School District; and Tina Taylor, Counselor, and Becca Gerow, Counselor, Crandon School
District
8.
RtI and Advanced Learners: Taking the Ceiling Off of Learning
Response to Intervention (RTI) is traditionally associated with meeting the needs of students not yet meeting
benchmark. Wisconsin's RtI Framework is intended, however, to meet the range of student needs, including
the needs of advanced learners (an often under-served population of students in schools). In this session, we
will share how we use RtI needs-based structures, data-based decision-making processes, and personalized
learning practices to ensure growth of our K-8 advanced learners.
Presenters: Amy Miller, Advanced Learner Coordinator, and Maria Katsaros-Molzahn, Teacher of
Advanced Learners, Oregon School District
9.
Math Achievement for All … and Mean It!
In a suburban school district, the predictors of success are often visible. However, when a school district builds
a system of supports to address ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL, the ability to understand and replicate positive
results is important and sometimes not so apparent. Through focused professional development and educator
collaboration, the Elmbrook School District is currently developing and deploying a system of supports to
ensure all students not only reach academic proficiency in math, but exceed it. Learn how one district partnered
with the RtI Center to develop school and district action plans that engage teachers and administrators in
supporting improvement efforts.
Presenters: Kristin Olson, Teaching & Learning Specialist, and Dawn Hipp, Teaching & Learning
Specialist, Elmbrook School District
10.
"Change What?" Leading and Sustaining Change for the Implementation of a District-wide
MLSS
Implementing a multi-level system of support for students leads to numerous changes in instruction,
assessment, collaborative practices and culture. Without systematic and systemic leadership and coaching,
these changes may be difficult to sustain. This session will highlight how district administrators, principals
and instructional coaches from the Superior School District have initiated and sustained changes that have
resulted in improved student outcomes in their district. Both elementary and secondary examples will be
provided.
Presenters: Crystal Hintzman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Dan Arvidson-Hicks, Instructional
Coach; Becki Stuart, Instructional Coach, Superior School District; and Heidi Laabs, Coaching
Coordinator, Wisconsin RtI Center
10:15 a.m.
BREAK
10:30 a.m.
Team Planning
School/District teams will be provided two times during the conference to share, debrief and
integrate the learning from the sessions with one another and into their work with students. DPI
and RtI Center staff will be available to provide consultation and clarification during this time
as schools and districts translate what is being learned at the conference into next steps in
progressing the learning of all their students.
11:30 a.m.
Lunch - Exhibit Hall C
12:45 p.m.
1.
Breakouts
Align By Design: A School Wide Approach To Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Kids
As educators across the state attempt to navigate how to best use Educator Effectiveness and School
Accountability Report Card Data as instruments for continuous growth, the need for goal alignment has never
been greater.
This session will focus on our collaborative efforts at Jack Young Middle School to create individual literacy
based SLO’s that align with a specific building goal/school improvement plan. We will share our journey on
the path towards school improvement that best meets the needs of our students.
Presenters: John Gunnell, Principal, Jack Young Middle School; Jane McMahon, Instructional
Facilitator; Maggie Schumacher, Literacy Coach, Jack Young Middle School; and Jennifer Flury, Middle
School Math Teacher, Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo School District
2.
Culturally Responsive Practices at Hillcrest Primary & LEADS Charter School
To showcase the ways we have implemented Culturally Responsive Practices throughout Hillcrest Primary
& LEADS Charter School, in addition to engaging our families and community members.
Presenters: Lena Johnson, Classroom Teacher; Kasey Keup, School Counselor; Amie Beyersdorf, School
Counselor, Hillcrest Primary School/Shawano School District
3.
Meeting the needs of students with Emotional Behavioral Disabilities through a MLSS: One
School's Journey
This session will highlight one schools journey of what they are doing to close achievement gaps and meet the
needs of their students with emotional/behavioral disabilities through a multi-level system of support/PBIS.
They will discuss their school culture, supports and structures they have in place to close achievement gaps,
use of data, lessons learned, the impact of their efforts, and next steps on their journey.
Presenters: April Nelson, Principal; Sara Strenger, Counselor; and Patty Obrecht, Program Support
Teacher, Stocker Elementary/Kenosha School District
4.
Implementing PBIS with Fidelity to Create a System that Works for ALL, including Students
with Disabilities: One Small School’s Journey
This session will highlight one schools journey of what PBIS implementation looks like in a small school
setting. They will discuss their school culture, supports and structures they have in place to close achievement
gaps, use of data, lessons learned, the impact of their efforts, and next steps on their journey.
Presenters: Matthew Wilbert, Principal, Wild Rose Elementary; Ashley Schulke, 4k/5k Teacher; Kelly
Wahlstrom, 4th Grade Teacher; Sharon Yeska, 5th Grade Teacher; Cindy Pomplun, School Psychologist;
and Stephanie Wilson, 1st Grade Teacher/Reading Specialist; Wild Rose School District
5.
High School Implementation of a Multi-Level System of Support
Onalaska High School will share how an Early Warning System is used to drive team problem-solving, develop
interventions, and communicate most effectively to PLCs throughout the building. OHS will also describe the
process used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Presenters: Jared Schaffner, High School Principal, and Anna Curtis, Associate Principal, Onalaska
High School, Onalaska School District
6.
School Based Mental Health Services: A Wisconsin Update
What can Wisconsin do to enhance prevention and intervention programs aiming to meet the mental health
needs of our students? Dr. Bush will examine current statewide efforts in Wisconsin and what school based
practitioners are doing to respond to and meet those needs using a multilevel system of support. Hear the latest
updates on legislative policy and task force efforts related to school based services and other statewide
initiatives.
Presenter: Kathryn Bush, School Psychology Consultant, DPI
7.
Selecting and Matching Support/Interventions along the MLSS Continuum
In the Appleton Area School District, we introduced WI RtI Center's learning modules to Review our Selected
and Intensive Levels of Support to all school improvement teams during a summer planning session.
Educators from 3 elementary schools will discuss the module experience at their site. We will describe how
this process guided decisions to create and sustain a culturally responsive multi-level system of support.
Presenters: Linda Kuhaupt, Director of Staff Development/Continuous School Improvement; Ashley
Bath, RtI Coordinator/External Coach; Tina Scott, School Psychologist; and Karen Russell, Literacy
Coach; Appleton Area School District
8.
Beginning to Examine Your Universal Practices from a Culturally Responsive Practices Lens
This session will engage participants in a beginning examination of their universal practices within a multilevel system of support with a focus on embedding culturally responsive practices. Participants will being to
learn how their own culture and experiences can engage students, learn how to begin to engage student prior
knowledge and experiences in the learning process and how to validate, affirm, build and bridge the
connections from home to school.
Presenters: Jodi Hubbard, Counselor/PBIS Coordinator, and Michelle Johnson, Teacher/PBIS Coach,
Locust Lane Elementary, Eau Claire School District
9.
Implementing an Equitable Universal Screening Process
Universal screening of academic skills is a necessary and critical activity related to RTI and MLSS. Schools
and Districts are charged with developing practices that lead to increased outcomes for all students. Universal
screening requires accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. However, using one measure alone often does not meet
the needs of all students. This practical session will provide participants the steps to build an efficient and
reliable universal screening process. Building a process from assessment to responsive instruction will be
addressed. Teams will leave with an understanding of a defensible and equitable screening process.
Presenters: Chris Birr, RtI Coordinator; Michael Sereno, Middle School Principal; and Tanya Fredrich,
Dir. of Student Services, Elmbrook School District
1:45 p.m.
Break
2:00 p.m.
Breakouts
1.
Align By Design: A School Wide Approach To Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Kids
As educators across the state attempt to navigate how to best use Educator Effectiveness and School
Accountability Report Card Data as instruments for continuous growth, the need for goal alignment has
never been greater.
This session will focus on our collaborative efforts at Jack Young Middle School to create individual literacy
based SLO’s that align with a specific building goal/school improvement plan. We will share our journey on
the path towards school improvement that best meets the needs of our students.
Presenters: John Gunnell, Principal, Jack Young Middle School; Jane McMahon, Instructional
Facilitator; Maggie Schumacher, Literacy Coach, Jack Young Middle School; and Jennifer Flury, Middle
School Math Teacher, Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo School District
2.
Meeting the needs of students with Emotional Behavioral Disabilities through a MLSS: One
School's Journey
This session will highlight one schools journey of what they are doing to close achievement gaps and meet the
needs of their students with emotional/behavioral disabilities through a multi-level system of support/PBIS.
They will discuss their school culture, supports and structures they have in place to close achievement gaps,
use of data, lessons learned, the impact of their efforts, and next steps on their journey.
Presenters: April Nelson, Principal; Sara Strenger, Counselor; and Patty Obrecht, Program Support
Teacher; Stocker Elementary/Kenosha School District
3.
Tier 2 Intervention Coordination
This session will focus on Tier II or Selected level intervention coordination designed to meet the needs of all
students. We will discuss the management of group-based interventions and the use of data in determining
how effective those interventions are. The session will explore how one school uses a continuous improvement
approach at the classroom level to progress monitor and design classroom level interventions.
Presenters: Scott Walter, Principal, and Jamie Weber, 1st Grade Teacher, Riverside Elementary
Menomonee Falls District
4.
Culturally Responsive Practices at Hillcrest Primary & LEADS Charter School
To showcase the ways we have implemented Culturally Responsive Practices throughout Hillcrest Primary &
LEADS Charter School, in addition to engaging our families and community members.
Presenters: Lena Johnson, Classroom Teacher; Kasey Keup, School Counselor; and Amie Beyersdorf,
School Counselor; Hillcrest Primary School/Shawano School District
5.
Shared Leadership for the Implementation of a District-Wide Balanced Literacy Framework
Principals and literacy coaches in the School District of Beloit work together to ensure the implementation of
the district’s Balanced Literacy model with fidelity at the Universal level. Their emphasis on highly effective
instructional practices at the universal level has resulted in improved student achievement and a reduction in
the need for Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions in literacy. This session will describe the work done at the district,
school, and classroom levels to improve instructional practices, resulting in improved student achievement in
literacy and will share the successes and challenges of the journey.
Presenters: Marcia Jordahl, District Literacy Coach, and Melody Wirgau, Principal, Todd Elementary
School, Beloit School District
6.
Public Libraries and Public Schools: Win-Win
There are over 380 public libraries in Wisconsin communities, and all of them are poised to help students,
families, and staff have more successful school experiences. Find out how 3 Wisconsin librarians have
proactively responded on the local, regional, and statewide level to assist public schools with academic
concerns such as literacy skills, CCSS, STEAM, and college/career readiness. Learn how library partnerships
have benefited school staff through improved curriculum connections, hands-on learning, and behavior
support. Discover how parents and caregivers are honored and engaged as their child's first teacher in the
library setting. Re-think the role of the public library as summer reading destination or after-school homework
help locale, and instead rediscover the role public libraries play in improving the livelihood of youth and adults
in your school community. Sharon Grover (Hedberg Library, Janesville), Sue Abrahamson (Waupaca Area
Public Library), and Tessa Michaelson Schmidt (DPI Public Library Development Team) will offer concrete
examples, suggestions, and tools that educators and administrators can bring back to their own communities.
Presenter: Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Public Library Youth and Special Services Consultant, DPI
7.
Strengthening Systemic Universal K-5 Reading Instruction within a Culturally Responsive
MLSS: Coaching Through Back to Basics
Through developing a district coaching model, district coaches focus on developing consistency across the
district in implementing systemic literacy best practices, using the components of the Workshop framework.
Through a train the trainer or modeling process, systemic and systematic universal instructional practices can
be built throughout the district. The focus on each practice lasts for two months, or as needed, determined by
our observations and reflections on our initial goals and objectives. Our agenda remains the same for the two
months focusing on each practice. This coaching model is helping us implement universal best first teaching
practices through a structured process all integrated into our PLCs. Our intent through this process of Back to
Basics, focusing on universal level instruction first, is to strengthen the use of systemic literacy practices across
all classrooms.
Presenters: Julie Schwartzbauer, K-2 District Literacy Coach, and Amy Swick 3-6 District Literacy
Coach, Appleton School District
8.
Promoting Equity within Selected Tier II Interventions
This session will focus on Tier II or Selected level intervention coordination designed to meet the needs of all
students. We will discuss the management of group-based interventions and the use of data in determining
placement in services and effectiveness of interventions.
Presenters: Alli Rudich, Elementary Principal, and Heidi Pergande, Reading Specialist, MequonThiensville School District
9.
Implementing an Equitable Universal Screening Process
Universal screening of academic skills is a necessary and critical activity related to RTI and MLSS. Schools
and Districts are charged with developing practices that lead to increased outcomes for all students. Universal
screening requires accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. However, using one measure alone often does not meet
the needs of all students. This practical session will provide participants the steps to build an efficient and
reliable universal screening process. Building a process from assessment to responsive instruction will be
addressed. Teams will leave with an understanding of a defensible and equitable screening process.
Presenters: Chris Birr, RtI Coordinator; Michael Sereno, Middle School Principal; and Tanya Fredrich,
Director of Student Services, Elmbrook School District
3:00 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m.
Team Planning
4:00 p.m.
Summit Adjourns
WASDA BUSINESS PARTNERS IN ATTENDANCE
Key Classrooms
Pamela Whyte
Key Classrooms
P.O. Box 1618
Kenosha, WI 53141
Phone: (262) 515-8208
[email protected]
Viterbo University
Chris Valenti
Viterbo University
Off-Campus Coordinator
2323 S 109th St Ste 375
Milwaukee WI 53227-1912
Phone: (414) 321-4210
[email protected]
Thank you for your support!