The Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE-SEU) is offering a comprehensive training package on the co-teaching model, which provides educational and behavioral support to students with disabilities in general education classrooms. This training is designed to support the implementation of a co-teaching program and improve existing programs within a school or district.
The training package is composed of three phases. Districts choosing to participate must commit to completing all three phases of training. The following choices of dates and locations are available:
Phase 1: One-Day Building Leadership Team Training
November 1, 2005 Holiday Inn Airport, Little Rock
November 2, 2005 Western Sizzler Conference Room, Hope
November 15, 2005 Northwest AR Educational Cooperative, Farmington
Phase 1. A one-day training that is provided to a building-based leadership team to assist in planning, monitoring and evaluating the co-teaching program. This team should consist of four members: a building level administrator, both a general education and 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). Participants may select where to attend training at one of the regional locations.
Phase 2: One-Day Co-Teaching Partnership Training
December 7, 2005 Holiday Inn Airport, Little Rock
December 8, 2005 Holiday Inn Airport, Little Rock
Phase 2. This consists of a one-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. It would be beneficial for the building administrator or support person from the leadership team to attend this training in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the co-teaching process and classroom application. Participants should indicate the preferred date of attendance on the application.
Phase 3: Webinar Follow-up Meetings
Phase 3. This phase provides web-based implementation support to both the building leadership team and co-teaching partnerships. Each participating school will receive assistance in evaluating the impact of implementation efforts and the effectiveness of co-teaching partnerships in improving student outcomes. This web-based support will consist of on-line modules and five, two-hour web meetings tailored to meet identified needs of participants. Spring 2006 web meeting dates will be announced at a later date.
On the attached application form, individuals are to indicate preferred dates and locations for training. Each training session will begin at 8:30 AM and conclude by 3:30 PM.
Lodging and travel expenses are the responsibility of the individual participants. The Holiday Inn Airport is offering accommodations at a rate of $58.00 for its next-door Holiday Inn Express facility and $71.00 per night in the main Holiday Inn building. To make reservations at the special rate, call 501-490-0092 and reference the ADE-SEU Co-Teaching Training.
The total cost of the training package is $400.00. The fee will offset the cost of meals and materials that will be provided for the registered teams. Additional team members and co-teaching partnerships may attend for an extra $50.00 per person, if space is available. Payment should be made in the form of a check made payable to the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education, and mailed with the attached application to:
Rose Merry Kirkpatrick
ADE, Special Education
1401 W. Capitol, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Deadline to apply is October 19, 2005. Space is limited. Applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Cancellation must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the training date in order for the team to be eligible for a refund.
For questions about Co-Teaching or the Co-Teaching training package, please contact Rose Merry Kirkpatrick at 501-682-4222 or by e-mail at rkirkpatrick@arkedu.k12.ar.us .