Focus on LEARNING

Our Tier 2 Professional Learning Community Team members have been digging into "Whatever it Takes" by Rick DuFour. One of the major changes they are discussing is changing from a focus on teaching to a focus on LEARNING.
Use this blog space to comment about how your PLC team is using this premise to make changes in your building and district.

PLC Teams Networking Page

Until we have our Region 2 SST website up and running. Please consider using this SERRC Blog to network with others as you work toward raising the achievement of students with Special Needs in your district.

Region 2 State Support Team

School Improvement initiatives are under way. All 17 districts in Tier 2 will have met with the SST by Oct. 11. Dates have been scheduled for Tier 1 meetings. The regional website is in the works.
Our single point of contact for Region 2 SST is Dr. Sharon Rybak. She can be reached at rybak@esclc.org or contact her at the Educational Service Center of Lorain County 440-324-5777.
Larry Melia is coordinating the State Support Team Facilitators for Tier 1 districts. He can be reached at lmelia@centurytel.net.
Moira Erwine is coordinating the Tier 2 high quality professional development initiatives. She can be contacted at erwine@esclc.org or call 440--967-8355 ext 224. Our mission is to raise achievement with students with disabilities.

Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age

David H. Rose and Anne Meyer have written a very comprehensive and easy to read book on Universal Design for Learning. Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age, describes teaching methods that support brain research using the UDL framework with an emphasis on technology. The book has a companion website at www.cast.org/TeachingEveryStudent offering professional learning communities an opportunity to discuss the content in a variety of ways. Even if you have a good understanding of UDL, you will want to read the book either online or in hardcopy. Let me know what you think by posting a comment to this blog.

Technology Usage in our Region

I have just completed three ETECH Ohio courses on blogging and wikis, podcasting and online Prof. Development environments. I have discovered that social networking is a must. Blogging provides a much more convenient layer to our services. I have created this blog to provide a way to share information but also to get a feel for needs in our region. Wiki's have the potential of creating a document with several authors which is applicable for us for grant writing, collaborating on agendas, and possibly working on our newsletter. We will be creating podcasts with a new grant from the ESC. Using Visual Communicator 3 and a designated computer, we will be creating video podcasts to archive on our site beginning in the fall of 2007. Podcasts will be used for technical assistance and possibly for professional development. All of these vehicles have great potential. I am interested in knowing how you are using blogs, wikis and podcasts in your districts and if you have a specific need that could be addressed using one of these technology tools.

Alternate Assessment Feedback

We are interested in your feedback regarding Alternate Assessment training, implementation, and technical assistance to better meet your needs for 2007-2008. Please feel free to comment, to this post. We would like to know about your preferences for training (small group, one-one one, work sessions, train the trainer...). We also want to know what is the best time to offer trainings (during the school day, after school, other?). As you look for new activities we would be interested in knowing what areas you are focusing on to help build a bank of activities for our region. PLEASE DO NOT USE student names or any confidential information in your comment. If you prefer to comment personally, contact Kay or Jane at 440-967-8355.

Meeting Needs of the Region

As I begin to plan inservices for next year, I am interested in knowing what areas of focus are priorities to you.
*Content Standards: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
*Compliance (topics, needs...)
*Integrated Systems Model
*Technology in the Classroom
*Co-teaching
*Intervention Assistance Team Training
*IAT Coaches Training
*Assistive Technology Tools
*Universal Design for Learning
*Differentiated Instruction
*Response to Intervention
*Using Visual Supports in the Classroom
*Culturally Responsive Practices
Who is the target audience? Teachers, administrators, teams etc..
Are you willing to participate in web based sessions or through Distance Learning?
Do you prefer face to face inservices?