Specific Learning Disability Criteria Implementation Update Richard Henderson Idaho State Department of Education Division of Federal Programs Division of Special Education Dr. Evelyn Johnson Executive Director, Lee Pesky Learning Center Gina Hopper Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies Boise State University

Overview Brief review current SLD policy Research findings Review year 3 training plan OSEP “Results Work”

Overview of Idaho’s SLD Policy Federal & State Definition ID CriteriaEvidence 1.Imperfect ability to learn 2.Disorder in a basic psychological process 3.Not a result of other factors 1.Evidence of insufficient progress and achievement 2.Pattern of strengths and weaknesses in psychological processing skills that impacts learning 3.Student’s lack of achievement is not the primary result of other factors 1.Progress Monitoring Data, ISAT, Achievement Tests 2.Assessment of psychological processing skills 3.Team consideration of other factors (examining evidence when other factors suspected)

SLD Process Flowchart Evidence of insufficient progress in response to effective, evidence based instruction Evidence of insufficient progress relating to effective evidence based intervention Evidence of low achievement in one or more of the suspected area(s). Evidence of a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in psychological processing skills that impact learning. Parental Involvement Evaluation Trigger & Exclusionary Factors

Policy Rollout and Training Information Dissemination: Webinars, Conferences, Newsletters (BREADTH) Year 1: Pilot Peer Review Training and Action Planning Year 2: Peer Review Increase Tier 2 & PM training focus (DEPTH)

PEER REVIEW RESULTS

SLD Year 3 Plan Focus on Tier 2 Interventions and Progress Monitoring

New partnership with the Lee Pesky Learning Center to help design the trainings and offer regionally, beginning in November to support Tier 2 work.

SLD Training Rationale WHY? In order for the implementation of the SLD Criteria to become a successful system, all tiers of instruction need to be partners in the process. For this reason, the SLD face to face trainings will require teams to participate. WHO? Teams of 5 per district: General Education Teacher responsible for Tier 2 Special Education Teacher Interventionist or Title I Teacher School Psychologist and Administrative Leadership/Decision-maker for Tier 2 in district

WHAT & WHEN?

Peer Review for Year 3 Regional Peer Reviews Submittal of files to Regional Offices by March 1, 2012 Previous Peer Reviewers will receive first opportunities for spots and there will be additional spots in each region for more attendees.

Peer Review for Year 3 Peer Reviewers will follow same process for applying to be a reviewer. More information will come from Rich Henderson in January 2012 on this process. Peer Reviewers’ list will be finalized by March 1, 2012.

Topical Webinars Topical webinars will be announced shortly via and ITC to support the year 3 activities. You will register for these webinars via the ITC and each webinar will be archived under the “SLD Learning Community” at

SLD - OSEP Results Work Connection OSEP asked States to identify one performance area to improve OSEP would leverage USDOE Resources to work with States –Access to USDOE TA-D Resource Centers State develop a 5 yr Plan to targeted area

OSEP Results Work Focus on one category: SLD 2 years of SLD Implementation Data –Progressive vs. Individual Analysis Finding where we went off the road –2 main areas arise as sources Tier 2 Interventions Progress Monitoring

Idaho’s Results Goal For the past five years, Idaho has stalled or demonstrated slippage in the performance of students with disabilities on statewide assessments as noted in indicator 3A. Starting from a baseline of 34% on the school year, the percent proficient dropped to 4.62% in 06-07, 14% in 07-08, 18% in 08-09, and back down to 8% in All stakeholders believe it is important to the future of Idaho that students with disabilities meet the proficiency targets.

Idaho Results Goal Given Students with Disabilities who are identified with a Specific Learning Disability residing in Idaho districts whom have failed to achieve AYP in the subgroup of SWD, districts will increase the academic performance of SWD who have been identified with a Specific Learning Disability, through increased collaborative leadership, focused progress monitoring, targeted interventions, and greater connection of IEP Goals to General Education Standards, to 60% combined proficiency within 5 years.

Idaho Results Goal: Next Steps Need for collaborative approaches –SPED, SSoS, Federal Programs, RTI, working with leadership to give them the support and resources needed. Tier 2 and Progress Monitoring: –SESTA will focus its SLD TA resources on these 2 areas and work with both national and local experts to inform and equip Idaho districts Connection of IEP Goals to Standards: –SDE/SESTA will design and implement training.

Idaho Stakeholders: Results Work Team Richard Henderson, State Director of Special Education, SDE - LEAD Steve Underwood, Director of School Improvement Marcia Beckman, Director of ESEA Programs, Title I Lisa Kinnaman, Associate Director CSI - PS, Center of Innovation and Improvement Gina Hopper, Director of CSI – PS, Special Education Statewide Technical Asst. Evelyn Johnson, Idaho Lee Pesky Center SEAP Chair Judy Randleman and SEAP Board Member Keith Allred Jim Leinen, WRRC State Contact 3 Regional Directors from the Directors Advisory Council Alison Lowenthal, Secondary Special Education Coordinator Frank Howe, Special Education Regional Coordinator Bev Benge, Special Education Regional Coordinator Beth Eloe-Reep, Special Education Regional Coordinator

Training and Technology for Today’s Tomorrow Website to link school professionals and parents with special education training opportunities and resources across the state Supported By: –Idaho State Department of Education (ISDE), Special Education Project Team: –Cari Murphy –Shawn Wright

Special Education Statewide Technical Assistance Gina Hopper, Director Katie Bubak, SESTA Coordinator

Contact Information: Richard Henderson Division of Special Education (208) Dr. Evelyn Johnson Lee Pesky Learning Center (208) Gina Hopper Director, Special Education Statewide Technical Assistance (208)