The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 were signed into law by the President on June 4, 1997. A number of substantive changes were made in Part B of the IDEA which set forth requirements for education of all children with disabilities. Significant changes were made to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) content and process, including changes in the transition planning process which now begins at age 14. Additional changes in the format of the IEP forms were mandated in September of 1998.
To assist local school districts with implementation of changes relevant to Transition Plan Development, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education Unit, Transition Staff, has scheduled statewide training. To maximize school district staff time away from the classroom, a new training format has been developed. The morning session will focus on "basic" Transition information and the afternoon session will provide training on how to use the Life Centered Career Education (LCCE) Assessment and Curriculum. Both training opportunities will be offered on the same day. All training materials have been updated by the Transition staff to reflect September 1998 changes in IEP forms.
Regional training will be provided. This training will be beneficial to LEA Supervisors, special educators (teachers of students 14 and up), general educators (teachers of students 14 and up), principals, paraprofessionals, etc. Training will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. The upcoming ten training dates and locations are:
City Date Location
Hope December 2, 1998 Southwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative
Melbourne December 3, 1998 Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Center
Springdale December 3, 1998 Harvey and Bernice Jones Center
Little Rock January 12, 1999 Arkansas Teacher Retirement Building, Rm. 200
Plumerville January 14, 1999 Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative
Forrest City January 14, 1999 East Arkansas Community College
Monticello January 28, 1999 Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Harrisburg February 16, 1999 Crowley's Ridge Educational Cooperative
Little Rock February 16, 1999 Arkansas Teacher Retirement Building, Rm. 200
El Dorado February 24, 1999 Carver Building
The above trainings are provided to districts at no charge. Registration is limited to 50 people per site, therefore, reservations will be on a first come, first serve basis. The attached registration form must be turned in no later than November 18, 1998, to:
Virginia Clements
Arkansas Department of Education
Special Education Unit, Transition
#4 Capitol Mall, Room 105-C,
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone 501-682-4299 or Fax 501-682-5168
THERE IS AN ATTACHMENT TO THIS DIRECTOR'S COMMUNICATION.