Special Education Strategies to Improve P-16 Teaching and Learning

• Our Masters program in Special Education is designed to assure professional development as part of the degree program for practicing teachers. In 2001-2002, about 27 teachers enrolled in coursework.
• Joy Russell presented a workshop on ADD/ADHD Spring 2002 at Lakeland College and another to the Mattoon PTA. These two activities involved about 100 people.
• Kim Varner did five workshops for varied audiences on parenting and mentoring. Approximately 50 people were served.
• Rebecca Cook has developed and implemented a supplementary on-line mentoring program to Eastern Special Education majors in their first through fourth year of teaching. The program is called TIPS: Technology Based Induction Process Support. Approximately 25 teachers are involved.
• Kathlene Shank presented in Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 on certification to the State Directors of Special Education. There were about 100 participants in each of these presentations.
• Sigma Rho Epsilon, the Department of Special Education Honorary, provides tutoring to majors in their first seven hours of Special Education coursework and mentoring for community college transfers in their first semester at Eastern. About 25 students were served in Fall 2001 and 20 more Spring 2002.
• The Department of Special Education has an on-going partnership with Sangamon Area of Special Education. This partnership involves provision of the Special Education approved Standard Special Option and post-baccalaureate certification coursework on-site in Springfield, Illinois. In 2001-2002, there were 22 students enrolled in the provided coursework.
• In Spring 2002 a partnership was reinitiated with Wabash Ohio Valley Special Education Cooperative. In Summer 2002, 50 files of individuals interested in beginning coursework to earn certification Fall 2002 were reviewed.
• A new partnership with LaSalle Area Special Education Cooperative was initiated Spring 2002. This partnership will offer coursework to post-baccalaureate certified regular classroom teachers who wish to also be certified in Special Education commencing Fall 2002. It is anticipated 12-15 teachers will enroll.
• Janice King, as instructor of one of our initial Special Education courses, piloted use of "Live Text," an electronic portfolio, Fall 2001 and Spring 2002. The pilot was designed to see if "Live Text" would be helpful in enhancement of student learning and as a department assessment strategy.
• Denise Smith and Janice King worked with Pam Storm, Charleston Public Schools, to pilot a method of evaluating young children's language development using technology to conduct an oral language assessment. 2001-2002, 24 Eastern students were involved and 25 young children.
• Linda Kirby served on the Charleston Community Unit Technology Committee. The goal of this committee is to enhance student learning through technology. Learners across the Charleston District are affected.