A Conversation and Collaboration with Community Leaders
Keeping Expectations High for Students with Autism
Creating an “IEP” for Education Programs in L.A. County
Monday, November 28, 2011
(please note this is the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend)
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
The California Endowment
1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012
Please join leaders in the Los Angeles area autism community as we create an “IEP” for educational programs through a lively, interactive and collaborative discussion of the current and future state of education for students with autism. This forum will help shape recommendations for the future of education for individuals with autism and lead efforts to advocate for these proposals with policymakers.
Who should attend?
Leaders of parent organizations, school districts, public and nonpublic schools, service providers, regional centers, and anyone who has an interest in improving the quality and diversity of education programs for students with autism.
Please note: We strongly urge meeting participants to attend the entire day. Your involvement and input is vitally important. This is a collaborative forum, not a how-to workshop or a discussion about individuals or specific student issues.
Cost: $50 per person including lunch
Seating is limited. RSVP early.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration Deadline – November 18, 2011
For more information call 562-804-5556.
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SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)
8:30–9 am Registration and Welcome: Creating an “IEP” for Educational Programs for Students with Autism
9:00–10 am Panel Discussion: Present Levels of Performance: The Current State of Education of Autism Students in LA County
• Are current teachers and aides qualified and supported?
• Self-contained classrooms or inclusion, public schools or nonpublic schools. How do we determine what is appropriate and how do we ensure a range of good options?
• Are students getting prepared for adulthood? Focus on academics vs. focus on life skills
• Consequences of budget cutbacks, increased class sizes, and, closing of programs.
10–11 am Panel Discussion: Accommodations, Modifications, and Supports: Overcoming Challenges for the Future
• Increasing support for funding of special education
• Providing appropriate training and support for teachers, staff and administrators
• Recruiting and retaining good educators and encouraging school districts to support autism programs
• Assuming competence- all students with autism getting what they need no matter where they are on the spectrum
• Addressing behavioral concerns in the classroom with positive behavioral support
• Creating a more cooperative and collaborative relationship between parents and school districts.
11 am–12 pm “IEP Team Meeting” Part 1 - Setting Goals and Objectives: Creating Model Autism Programs in the Schools
Participants will be divided into diverse teams that include educators, therapists, regional center staff, advocates, and parents. Teams will design multiple model educational programs that will benefit children from across the autism spectrum. You will remain a part of your team for the remainder of the day.
Each team will focus one of the following areas:
• Preschool
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• Transition Programs
Teams will be told that they have no barriers to creating model programs: they will have sufficient funding, supplies, and classroom space; experienced teachers and aides; and, support from administrators. They can design both inclusion and self-contained models on both public and nonpublic campuses. The teams must show how they will measure the success of their programs.
12:15–1:15 pm “IEP Team Meeting” Part 2 - Developing a Support Plan: Working Together to Address the Barriers to Creating Great Educational Programs
Teams are charged with developing creative solutions to overcome the barriers that prevent us from building model programs in Los Angeles County. Teams must develop ideas that are feasible and could potentially be implemented in our region. Each team will address the following challenges as it applies to the grade level of their team:
• Developing cooperation and collaboration between districts, regional centers and parents
• Improving recruitment and training of teachers, aides and administrators
• Creating meaningful inclusion for students across the spectrum
• Building consistent behavioral programs in the classroom and on campus
• Addressing the needs of the most impacted students
• Preparing all students for the transition to adulthood
• Parent training for the IEP process with an emphasis on low income and Spanish-speaking parents
1:30–2:30 pm “IEP Team” Reports
A representative of each team will report to the entire group about the different model programs they have designed and their ideas to overcome barriers to developing these models.
2:30-3:00 pm Closing Remarks: Monitoring Progress and Outcomes of Educational Programs in the Future
REGISTER NOW
Registration Deadline – November 18, 2011
For more information call 562-804-5556.
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Please mark your calendars for the remaining meetings of this Autism in L.A. series:
The Autism Epidemic Grows Up:
Adults with Autism Creating Meaningful Lives
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The California Endowment
Harnessing Our Power:
Mobilizing the Autism Community in Los Angeles County
Friday, March 16, 2012
The California Endowment
Autism in L.A.: Assessing a Year’s Community Collaboration
Creating a Plan to Advocate for and Implement the Recommendations
Follow Up Annual Meeting
Friday, May 18, 2012
Location to be determined