SIL Summit

The Statewide System of Support Special Education Resource Leads collectively offer a wealth of resources on special education and continuous improvement, available on their websites or through free training opportunities. However, despite this abundance, there was no clear path for parents, students, or educators to access information related to the major components of the IEP. Based on research, field surveys, and partnerships we’ve created in the first year of the grant, the HQ IEP project has created an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Toolkit specifically for special education providers. This toolkit provides a centralized location for resources, focusing on critical components such as assessment, present levels, measurable goals, and supports and services aligned to California’s newly created state IEP template. Join us as we walk through our learning journey in bringing to life our hypothesized change idea, implementation and data we are collecting in hopes to increase transparency, consistency in messaging, training, and resources around the IEP journey.  We hope to enhance knowledge, equity, and meaningful participation.

As local educational agencies (LEAs) across the state work toward creating access to a high school diploma for students with extensive support needs, many questions have surfaced regarding how to make this a reality. Join this presentation where you will learn about and leave with a new toolkit designed to help LEAs move through the steps and considerations necessary to create and continue to improve this new pathway to a high school diploma for students with disabilities who are eligible to take the California Alternate Assessments.

RC SELPA and RCOE began a collaborative relationship 8 years ago to support LEAs in Riverside County with their efforts to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.  What started as a local partnership, has expanded to the state level, as RC SELPA serves as a lead SELPA agency through the SIL grant, and RCOE is a county office Geo Lead.  Since the beginning of our partnership, we have developed tools to support the collaboration between the two separate organizations and worked diligently to create one system to support LEAs with Differentiated Assistance, Compliance and Improvement Monitoring, as well as LCAP and SPSA development.  Come along with us, as we share the story of our journey on how we created a cohesive and collaborative system that brought together two separate organizations to create one countywide system of support dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

Our Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) EmbraceAbilities grant team is proud to be one of seven Special Education Resource Leads (SERLs) within the CA Statewide System of Support. Our project goal is to build capacity by providing support for systemic, continuous improvement to County Offices of Education (COEs) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to include students with disabilities, more specifically, students with extensive support needs. During the first year of this grant project, we visited several sites within 17 COE-operated Regionalized Special Education Programs. We collected data via classroom walkthroughs, student, family, and staff interviews, and surveys to identify best practices and opportunities to support programs from a systems perspective. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching shared an article, Building A Culture Of Improvement In The Context Of External Accountability. In this article, they shared the idea of a team embracing the mantra of “possibly wrong and definitely incomplete.” Our team utilized this mantra in our journey with our SIL coach, Beverley Jenkins. We want to share how we developed a Process Map that laid the foundation for our team to determine best practices and opportunities in supporting students with extensive support needs.  

Discover the power of the Improvement Data Center (IDC). Join us for an exclusive introduction to this essential resource, designed to help you track California's State Performance Plan Indicators for special education. The IDC offers a wealth of report options, enabling you to monitor critical indicators like Least Restrictive Environment, suspension rates, and timely assessments. With its user-friendly tools, you can create custom snapshot reports, providing a closer look at your LEA’s performance on these key indicators. Stay informed and take action with the IDC—your gateway to understanding and improving special education outcomes!

This presentation will explore an innovative improvement project developed through a collaborative partnership among the county library, county office of education and First 5 Commission. At its core, this initiative emphasizes creating a culture of safety that fosters effective teamwork and promotes community engagement.

This initiative embraces failure as a learning opportunity. By including members at all levels of project management, the team was empowered to take ownership of the work, integrate a variety of perspectives and encourage innovative approaches. We’ll discuss how data informs decision-making and enhances project outcomes.

In this session, we will address the essential need for trust across all partners, including the administration and leadership. By creating an environment where those engaged in the work feel supported, we can cultivate a more cohesive and empowered team. This collaborative approach not only enhances project success but also strengthens the overall community fabric.

Join us to discover strategies for tackling perfectionism by failing forward and fostering meaningful partnerships that drive impactful community service.

Research shows beneficial effects of PBIS; however, not everyone receives equitable access to PBIS, especially students with disabilities. In this session, participants will learn to apply Universal Design and High Leverage /Evidence Based Practices so that ALL students can benefit from PBIS including those with the most significant support needs.

Join the High-Quality IEPs project for an immersive workshop exploring the 5 key components of educational benefit in the IEP. In this hands-on session, participants will dive into key elements: 1) assessment, 2) present levels, 3) identifying areas of need, 4) measurable goals, and 5) supports and services. Discover how each component interconnects to satisfy both procedural and substantive requirements in the IEP. Explore the newly developed High-Quality IEP Toolkit for Special Educators, collaborate with colleagues to overcome barriers, and leave empowered to unlock opportunities and growth for your students. This workshop is designed for active participation, including discussions, group work, and collaborative activities.

Systems improvement work, to include the Differentiated Assistance (DA) Process, Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI), and Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI) processes, may require data gathering related to the subgroups of English Learners (ELs) & Students with Disabilities (SWD). This session will center on using a resource guide to assist multidisciplinary teams, whether at the Local Education Agency (LEA) or school-based, with identifying and addressing key considerations for identifying root causes, analysis or systems, and how to enhance & improve positive outcomes for ELs and ELs with disabilities. 

Join the Project ARISE team as we share an intentional approach to developing and implementing local literacy plans through continuous improvement. This session showcases our work with a dedicated group of district and site leaders who are actively transforming their literacy initiatives.
Participants will gain insights into the process defined in the CA State Literacy Plan which includes:
1.Creating a compelling literacy vision
2.Conducting comprehensive needs assessments and analyzing student data
3.Prioritizing identified needs effectively
4.Performing root cause analysis to target core issues related to meeting all students’ needs
5.Generating innovative change ideas for implementation
6.Executing Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to drive measurable improvements
5Participants will receive a toolkit of practical resources and strategies, along with real-world examples, to identify areas for improvement and effectively support all students in achieving impactful, data-driven literacy outcomes.Through real-world examples, we'll demonstrate how to identify areas for improvement and translate change ideas into action.

Using an operational framework consisting of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, Michael Fullan’s Coherence, the CA MTSS Framework, Malsowe’s Hierarchy of Needs and the CA EL Roadmap, the Delhi USD team refined the Local Control Accountability Plan to facilitate a comprehensive approach to improvement science. Delhi USD uses board transparency and accessibility, multiple tiers of community engagement, and regular collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to ensure that their district priorities and LCAP address the needs of their community.  

Participants will learn how the Delhi USD leadership and governance team leveraged an integrated approach to create a strong core instructional program that uses the principles of improvement science to establish true community schools that monitor progress through transparency and inclusive decision-making.

In this session, participants will explore strategies, tools, and best practices for increasing accessibility district-wide. Accessibility is more than just compliance; it’s about creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Join us as we delve into the resources, materials, and tools for implementing Universal Design for Learning, Assistive Technology (AT), and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) and how they can be effectively executed across all levels of your district. Participants will learn practical approaches to remove barriers, adapt teaching methods, and provide multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. Through real-world examples and collaborative discussions, participants will leave with actionable insights and a toolkit filled with resources for transforming their district into a more accessible and inclusive community. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or looking to deepen your district’s commitment to accessibility, this session will provide the tools and inspiration needed to unlock the full potential of every learner.

Dive into the transformative world of qualitative data—often referred to as "street data"—in our enlightening session designed for educators who are eager to enhance their approach to data interpretation. This session will introduce you to the rich context and vibrant narratives that qualitative data offers, moving beyond numbers to capture the true essence of student experiences and community voices. By better understanding our student experiences, LEAs are better prepared to address inequities and barriers for student success.

Hear from Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that have successfully integrated qualitative data into their Continuous Improvement and Monitoring (CIM) process, enabling them to make informed decisions that foster equity and student engagement. Engage actively in a real-world vignette with your colleagues.

By the end of this session, you will have a better understanding of the value of qualitative data and learn about different processes to gather and apply it in your own context. Join us and learn how to unlock the hidden stories that can revolutionize educational outcomes!