Professional Development and Training

An overview of the training and Professional Development offered, including NHSEIS.

The New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Student Support can provide the following professional learning opportunities to school district/Special Education Private Providers in key special education topic areas at no cost.

Currently the Bureau offers a variety of trainings on key special education topics, the use of NHSEIS and Specially Designed Instruction. In addition to our trainings we operate a Mentor Program for New Directors and New Special Education Administrators and Coordinators meetings. Please see the descriptions below.

Key Special Education Topics

Measurable Annual Goals

Description:
Participants will learn how to use the student information/evaluation data to write Present Levels of Performance of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLOAAFP –IEP Page 2). They will learn to use the pertinent student evaluation data combined with other current observation and assessment data to write present levels for each annual goal. They will learn what components need to be included in the writing of age –appropriate measurable annual goals and objectives based on the each annual goal present level information; and how to write measurable annual IEP goals and objectives to help build the student skills so they can access, participate, and make progress in the general curriculum.

Audience: Special educators, administrators, and related service personnel

Length of Training: 2 hours

A follow up work session is also available upon request; 1-2 hours in which staff bring their goals to work on or ask specific questions.

Written Prior Notice Guidance

Description:
This professional development for Written Prior Notice (WPN) was created with stakeholder input in response to district requests for the Bureau to provide guidance regarding the use of and the content of WPNs. This training utilizes IDEA regulations as a guide to remind participants of the intent of the WPN, when districts should use a WPN, and the required components of the form. The guidance document and model WPN form will be shared along with sample compliant WPNs.

Audience: Special educators, administrators

Length of Training: 2 hours

Accommodations and Modifications

Description:
Participants will learn the legal definitions of accommodations and modifications, as well as how to determine the difference between the two. Types and examples of accommodations and modifications are discussed. Guidance is given as to how teams can make better decisions about when to accommodate and when to modify as well as how to review the effectiveness of accommodations and modifications, and how to document their implementation. A description of the continuum of support is provided as well as how to use and not use the NHSEIS dropdown menu of accommodations and modifications. Smarter Balanced accommodations and alternate assessment are briefly discussed in relation to how the law requires teams to tie them to the accommodations and modifications being used day to day in the classroom.

Audience: Special educators, administrators, and related service personnel

Length of Training: 2 hours

Specially Designed Instruction

Description:
Participants will learn what specially designed instruction is as defined by IDEA and how it applies to students with disabilities. They will gain a practical understanding of specially designed instruction, and the means in which it can be delivered as a service to special education students. Additionally, participants will learn how it is merged into the IEP using the special education process in a sequential and cyclical manner beginning with using evaluation data to describe unique student needs based upon present levels of academic and function performance, then identifying specific areas of specially designed instruction incorporated into special education services combined with annual measurable goals and progress monitoring.

Audience: Special educators, administrators, and related service personnel

Length of Training: 2 Hours

Understanding the Special Education Monitoring Process through the Self- Assessment Form

Description:
Participants will learn about and understand the special education process in accordance with Federal and State regulations using the NH Department of Education On-Site File Review IEP Compliance & Improvement Monitoring Self-Assessment Data Collection Form as a tool for walking through each requirement and what constitutes compliance.

Audience: Special educators, administrators, and related service personnel

Length of Training: 2½ Hours

How to Request a Training:

Contact

Amy Jenks, NH Department of Education
Bureau of Student Support
101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
Email: Amy.Jenks@doe.nh.gov
Phone: (603) 271-3842

Priority given to those schools currently going through or preparing for the NH Special Education Compliance & Improvement Monitoring process. Minimum 5 participants required.

Please contact Amy if you have questions.