Conference Sessions and Speakers

Keynote 

Better Data is Better Communication

IEP meetings are a time in which all stakeholders have an opportunity to review data that is supposed to reflect the level of progress a child has made over time.  All too often, however, there is much confusion as to what, how, and why certain data was collected, what the data truly represents, and how it will inform educational planning and setting appropriate, attainable goals.  This confusion leads to various levels of miscommunication and mistrust, especially between two key partners - the home and the school. Dr. Shanock will discuss the importance of clear, well defined data so that all team members can more effectively and efficiently make appropriate educational decisions in an environment of trust and collaboration. 

Speaker:

Dr. Andrew Shanock, president of the NY Association of School Psychologists (NYASP), is an Associate Professor of School Psychology at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. 

Dr. Shanock is nationally certified and specializes in cognitive and academic assessment.  Dr. Shanock has been a featured speaker at the national and state level.  He consults with school districts around the country to promote issues such as collaborative assessment, Response to Intervention, and instructional support team building.   Dr. Shanock’s presentations are informative, interactive, and entertaining.  He enjoys engaging with the audience and using their experience and knowledge to better address specific concerns or needs. 

Baselines, and Benchmarks, and Goals Oh my! 

This session will build off various concepts presented in the keynote discussion as Dr. Shanock will review how to collect data that best correlates and can measure in a sensitive, precise manner the progress towards academic and/or behavioral success.  Commonly used tools such as Fountas and Pinnell as well as various curriculum based measures (CBM) will be reviewed.  Dr. Shanock will also discuss how some data can correlate to performance on various high stakes assessments. 

Speaker:          

Dr. Andrew Shanock, president of the NY Association of School Psychologists (NYASP), is an Associate Professor of School Psychology at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. 

Mental Health Partnership in Schools

Where do creativity, grit, compassion, and purpose fit within the current educational culture of common core standards and high stakes testing?  Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is critical not only for success in school, but also in life.   SEL is the process that leads to the acquisition of the understandings and specific skills that are at the heart of a child's academic, personal, and social development. Recent research supports the implementation of SEL programs by showing how it leads to 1) improved student attitudes, including motivation and increased sense of belonging to school, 2) positive behavioral changes, including reductions in bullying behaviors and risky health behaviors, and 3) improvements in academic achievement as assessed by a variety of measures, including standardized achievement test scores and grades.  In addition, a positive psycho-social environment at school can affect the mental health and well-being of young people.  For example, a sense of connectedness, good communication, and perceptions of adult caring have been shown to be related to a wide range of mental health outcomes. This presentation will provide a short overview of trauma, both big and small, and how trauma may affect a child’s development. The workshop will explore trauma from the student's perspective and helpful classroom interventions.

Speaker

Michael Gilbert Psy.D., Executive Director It’s About Childhood & Family, Inc.

Least Restrictive Environment: The What, The When and The How

LRE an key component to the creation of an appropriate education for students with disabilities.  This presentation will address the history of this term, its evolution through special education and how the courts have shaped education for students with disabilities with these three letters.  The presentation will also use a case study to fully explore the process of LRE -giving a practical guidepost for how you assess the least restrictive environment for a student with a disability in school.

Speakers

Lisa Meade, Corinth Central School District

Jennifer Monthie, Esq. Director Disability Rights New York

Tara Moffett, Esq. Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC

Free and Appropriate Public Education: What Does it Mean?

FAPE is one of the most important legal terms in special education but what does it really mean?  This presentation will explore each word in this term and define how statute, regulation and the courts have used this term to shape the education of students with disabilities.

Speakers

Jennifer Monthie, Esq. Director Disability Rights New York
Tara Moffett, Esq. Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC

Restraints and Time Out Rooms:  Requirements and Alternatives

The use of physical restraint and time out rooms are a “last resort” option governed by state regulations.  This workshop will inform participants of the requirements and limitations relevant to physical restraint and time out rooms with an emphasis on de-escalation and prevention strategies.

Speaker

Julie Keegan, Esq. Disability Rights New York

Jennifer A. Zalucky, Behavior Specialist/Education Consultant

Assessing, Understanding and Developing Effective BIPs

This is a workshop to introduce participants to the principles and techniques of Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavior Support. Particular emphasis will be on a practical user-friendly step by step process that is adaptable to both home and school settings. Tools will be presented to create a “summary statement” of child and adolescent behavior problems and plan for interventions to support more positive behavior. It is designed for both novices to FBA and individuals with more experience in the technique.

Speaker

Frank Slamone, Psy.D. Campbell House Psychological Associates

Discipline in Schools:  What works and What doesn't

Speakers

Michele Handzel, Esq. Capital Region BOCES

Dr. Peter Teromina, Capital Region BOCES

Understanding ACCES-VR in the Transition Process

This presentation will focus on the role of a key agency in the NYS Education Department, Adult Career & Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).  ACCES-VR helps eligible individuals with disabilities seek, train for, and maintain employment.  This presentation will explain the ideal working relationship between school districts and ACCES-VR, and will also explore the various ways in which this state agency may be able to contribute to an individual’s transition planning process.

Speaker

Erica Molina, Esq. Disability Rights New York

Christina Asbee, Esq. Disability Rights New York