This workshop provides educators with the mindset and strategies needed to create truly inclusive learning environments where all students feel a sense of rightful presence and belonging. Participants will explore the impact of ableism in educational settings, learn how to be effective allies to students with disabilities, and discover practical methods for fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within their circle of influence. Session Outcomes: - Increased awareness and understanding of ableism and its impact on students with disabilities. - Enhanced ability to identify and address barriers to inclusion in educational settings. - Development of practical strategies for creating accessible and inclusive learning environments. - Strengthened skills in advocating for the rights and needs of students with disabilities. Improved capacity to cultivate a sense of belonging among all students, regardless of ability or background.
Discover how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can revolutionize your approach to inclusive education. This session will introduce the core principles of UDL as outlined in the 3.0 Guidelines and share a district's successful journey in implementing UDL strategies. Learn about practical changes and achievements that have fostered a more inclusive learning environment. Engage with Open Access resources, including a site readiness tool and FlipKits, which offer hands-on experience and practical application of UDL principles. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with actionable steps and inspired to advance your own UDL implementation. Join us to enhance accessibility and boost student success.
“Those closest to the problem are often the closest to the solution but furthest from the resources and power.” The CIM team at Palmdale Aerospace Academy, led by Chris Riley, Director of Special Education Services, worked to counter this common scenario by centering student and parent voice in their CIM process. Hear their story and gather strategies for eliciting student and family voice through the use of empathy interviews and survey data. Participants will learn how TPAA used this data to gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of chronic absenteeism for students with disabilities within their LEA.
Grant Coordinator, SELPA System Improvement Leads Project
Ashley MacGavin has worked in the field of special education for over 10 years and currently serves in the role of Grant Coordinator at Riverside County SELPA in Perris, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education and an Administrative Services Credential, Education Specialist... Read More →
This session will dive into the transformative journey of implementing inclusive practices, drawing on real-world experiences and challenges faced by secondary educators and administrators, as well as before/after school care providers. We’ll explore powerful stories from the field, showcasing the barriers encountered, the successes achieved, and the ongoing journey towards creating inclusive environments.
Based on the identified needs of educators that work with students with disabilities, specialized training sessions were developed and delivered, focusing on strategies like Co-Teaching, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and understanding disabilities. In this session, we will listen to real stories, highlight key points and valuable learnings from these training sessions, providing insights into how these approaches can be effectively integrated into diverse educational settings.
Join us to hear firsthand accounts of how inclusion has been reimagined in various contexts, and take away practical strategies that can be applied in your own practice.
Join us for a session dedicated to the journey of aligning improvement efforts for meaningful, sustainable change in education. In a time when many district initiatives falter, discover some essential elements that foster significant and lasting transformation.
Hear real-life examples from Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that have successfully tackled disproportionality. They will share their stories around providing strong superintendent vision and support, ensuring intentional and active involvement of educational partners (including general education colleagues and family members), and addressing contributing factors through targeted improvements for specific groups to create broader system-wide impacts. Learn about strategies these LEAs employed to identify and address contributing factors, and how aligning efforts can create and sustain a culture of continuous growth and equitable student outcomes.
Don't miss this opportunity to better champion equity and excellence in our schools!
This presentation explores how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Early Childhood promotes learner agency that is purposeful and reflective, resourceful and authentic, and strategic and action-oriented. By designing inclusive environments that support diverse learning needs, UDL fosters agency that empowers children to make choices, take initiative, and shape their own learning experiences. Even in preschool, fostering learner agency helps young learners develop independence, critical thinking, and confidence. By offering opportunities for decision-making and problem-solving, teachers can cultivate a sense of ownership in the classroom, encouraging children to be active participants in their learning journey.Through flexible teaching methods and diverse learning materials, UDL supports the needs of every child, including those with different learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.In this presentation, we will explore practical strategies to integrate UDL principles and promote learner agency in early childhood settings. Participants will walk away with actionable ideas on how to design learning environments that celebrate each child’s unique potential, offering choice and flexibility while minimizing barriers.
Friday December 13, 2024 1:30pm - 2:45pm PST
Ballroom B
Drive systems change in education. This session will equip participants with practical tools and strategies to leverage AI for creating more inclusive, adaptable learning environments. By focusing on reducing barriers, educators can ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, have equitable opportunities to engage and succeed. Join us to discover how AI and UDL can work together to transform educational practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
