News

2008 LD Intermediate Academy

The 2008 LD Academy was offered in State College from November 11th through the 13th. Based on the evaluation results and comments by participants it was viewed as being very effective by the participants. The Academy was built around the four major themes of effective instruction: 1) development of a sound conceptual foundation, 2) diagnostic assessment, 3) effective planning based on the assessment, and 4) adapted instruction. The Academy ended with demonstration lessons presented by the participants.

L-R Back: Karen Alley, Diana Beatty, Jennifer Glunt, Scott Fennell, Amy Snyder, Carol Miller, Dawn Rafter, Evelyn Berry L-R Front: Amy Wilson, Bootsie Barbour, Sharon Harilla, Sandy Scanlon, Marie Steinbacher. Kneeling: Dr. Cooper, Dr. Gacka

Fast Facts Series 4 Case Studies - Now Being Offered

A new collection of 10 readings that comprise Series 4 of the Fast Facts has been approved by the Pennyslvania Department of Education for Act 48 professional development credit and offered to practitioners. Series 4 consists of ten “Case Studies” that show the complexity that students bring to the educational setting and the need for effective diagnostic assessment and effective planning. Series 4 will be offered bi-monthly.

For more information on the Fast Facts or to sign up to complete one of the Fast Facts Series, e-mail Pat Capito at pcapito@stairwaysbh.org

ABLE LD Project Displays at the PAACE Mid Winter Conference

The ABLE LD project provided an interactive display at the Marketplace area of the PAACE Annual Conference in Hershey, PA. The display consisted of three Imac computer activities including an overview of services available through the LD coaching initiative, a self-test of LD knowledge using a Jeapordy game format, and demonstration of text to speech software using the Internet and the LD project web site.

Mr. Pat Smith joins the LD project as a presenter and agency mentor. Pat retired from high school teaching with the Crawford Central School District where for many years he taught advanced placement classes. He most recently was the teacher/supervisor of the Stairways Impact Grant program and has classroom experience with ABE Level adult education instruction.

Pat brings to the mentoring situation a seasoned and insightful perspective of the need to present material from many perspectives and the importance of establishing rapport while at the same time providing sturcture for student achievement.

To help agencies to plan for LD professional development, a PowerPoint slide presentation was sent to all ABLE funded programs. The PowerPoint steps an individual through a sequence related to contact with students, identifying areas where training might be desired. Click on the graphic to the right to download the Powerpoint document.

2009 ABLE LD Academy Scheduled for Nov. 16th through 18th

The 2009 ABLE LD Academy, a three day intensive intermediate level training has been scheduled for Nov. 16 through 18, in State College at the Hilton Gardens Hotel. The agenda for the professional development activity includes presentations on the essential elements of understanding learning difference as well as presentations developed by participants to display their understanding of the material presented. E-mail the LD project at ldconsultants@mac.com to request a flyer and registration materials. You can also click on the graphic to the left and download a flyer and application materials. The Academy is approved for 15 Act 48 hours.

With the addition of new Fast Facts series the time came for us to update the flyers used to publicize the availability of this professional development opportunity. If you click on the graphic to the left you can download a PDF file contining flyers for Series 1 through 4 (the case management series) as well as a Fast Facts Overview flyer.

New ABLE LD Project Newsletter: July/August 2009 Now Available

Click anywhere on the newsletter above to download the LD Newsletter