The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education is offering a comprehensive training package on co-teaching, which provides support to students with disabilities in general education classrooms. This training is designed to support the implementation of a co-teaching program and/or improve existing programs within a school/district.
The training package is composed of three phases. Districts choosing to participate must commit to completing all three phases of training.
Phase 1: February 10, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phase 2: February 24 and 25, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phase 3: Spring and Fall 2005, Web meeting dates to be announced
Phase 1-- a one-day training that provides information to a building-based leadership team to assist them in planning, monitoring and evaluating their co-teaching program. This team should consist of four members: a building level administrator, a general education co-teacher, a special education co-teacher, and one other school support staff (such as a special education supervisor, curriculum coordinator, math or literacy coach, or professional development coordinator.
Phase 2 – a two-day training for the general and special education teachers using co-teaching in the classroom setting. Each building that participates must send the co-teaching partnership from Phase 1 and may send one additional co-teaching partnership, with a maximum of four teachers attending. The partnerships must attend both days of Phase 2 training. It would be beneficial for the building administrator and support person from the leadership team to attend the first day of this training in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the co-teaching process and its classroom application.
Phase 3 -- provides web-based implementation support to both the building leadership team and co-teaching partnerships. Participating schools will receive assistance in evaluating the impact of implementation efforts and the effectiveness of the co-teaching partnerships in improving student outcomes. This web-based support will consist of on-line modules and five 2-hour web meetings tailored to meet identified needs of participants.
The location for the Phase 1 & 2 trainings will be at the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center, 925 South University Avenue, Little Rock. The Hilton is offering accommodations at a rate of $82.00 per night. Individuals are responsible for their own reservations and travel expenses. To make reservations at the special rate call 501-664-5020 and reference Co-Teaching Conference.
The total cost of the training package is three hundred dollars ($300.00) per building team. This fee will offset the cost of lunches and materials that are provided as part of the training. The checks should be made out to the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education, and mailed along with the attached application to:
Crenisha Wright
Grants and Data Management
ADE, Special Education
1401 W. Capitol, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Deadline to apply is January 14, 2005. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Space is limited; applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible.