The importance of reading and language skills as the basis for learning and school success is clearly acknowledged. Yet, problems with fluency, word identification, and comprehension continue to impede the progress of struggling readers and their motivation for learning is seriously impacted. While there is no magic formula to obliterate weak reading skills, there are techniques and strategies which can help to minimize reading problems and facilitate reading development.

The intervention series of workshops are designed to address what the latest research has to say about the major components of reading and alternative approaches for increasing reading comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. Dr. Marilyn Gonyo has taught graduate courses in reading and learning disabilities and is a national consultant/ trainer for the Woodcock- Johnson III-Revised. She will be presenting a series of three workshops designed to be helpful to the both the novice and seasoned professional working with the at-risk learner or learning disabled student in the general and/or special education setting.

Emphasis will also be placed on reading in the content areas and Dr. Denise Geier, who has been a teacher, principal and curriculum director and has published numerous articles, will address the challenges of dealing with content area subjects for struggling readers. In another workshop, Dr. Geier will present strategies to motivate reluctant readers and writers to achieve more success in their everyday school environment.

Since we know that no single strategy works for everyone, Dr. Brian Friedlander will focus on the ways assistive technology can support students with reading problems as another way of dealing with content based areas across the curriculum. Dr. Friedlander teaches graduate courses, is editor and publisher of Inclusion Times and is a partner with Tom Caine Associates, well-known for providing assistive technology resources.

Fundations is based on the Wilson Reading System principles and serves as a prevention and early intervention program in grades K-3. It is designed to supplement existing literature-based reading programs for 25-30 minute daily lessons and is highly appropriate for the lowest 30 percent of the children who are at risk for reading and writing difficulties. Joyce Kaskow, Reading Specialist and certified Wilson Reading and Language Trainer, will provide a two-day comprehensive Fundations training.

As educators try to deal with a variety of troubling issues and psycho-social dynamics students bring with them to school, which most often interfere with the process of teaching and learning, this strand remains an area for continued professional development. Not only do we want the school staff to feel comfortable dealing with potentially disruptive situations, we also want both general and special education students to feel safe and advocate for themselves when they feel they are being bullied.

Dr. Michael Asher, a clinical psychologist from Behavior Therapy Associates and an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, will present three important but different workshops. The first relates to developing social skills as a means of dealing effectively with bullying and teasing. The next workshop on anger management will help teachers to intervene and de-escalate in order to prevent more serious problems from occurring. Due to the overwhelming response to last Spring's "Motivating Disaffected, Disinterested and Depressed Students" we have again scheduled this topic for the Spring. School personnel and parents will be able to gain an understanding of risk factors associated with disaffected and depressed students so that they can intervene.

Since challenging behaviors are significantly increasing at the elementary level, Dr. Jeanne D' Haem, Assistant Professor from William Patterson University will bring her wide repertoire of strategies and techniques and latest research to this workshop. School personnel and parents will become familiar with activities that reinforce positive behavior and techniques for handling group discipline problems.

Due to the many requests for continued participation in Crisis Intervention/Passive Restraints, we have scheduled this workshop for teachers, paraprofessionals, all school staff and parents. Joe Chiarello, the Adventure Education Specialist for MOESC and instructor for the Crisis Prevention Institute will cover proactive crisis measures, self-defense and the safety of others in this hands-on workshop.

Positive and non-threatening strategies are the most effective tools when working with students who can be defiant and disruptive. Frank Picone, Director of Frank Picone Seminars and an instructor for the School of Social Work, Rutgers University will present a seminar that will provide a conceptually different approach to creating cooperative and positive classroom environments.

The significant increase in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders compels educators to have continued training in methodologies that have proven effective in the development of language and social skills for this population. Social interaction is one of the most critical needs and successful inclusion in school and the community at large, depends greatly on one's ability to be accepted socially.

The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) is recognized as a valuable assessment, curriculum and skill tracking system for children with language delays. Lauren Payer, and educator and consultant with experience in the field of autism, will present a two-part seminar on the use of ABLLS. She will also incorporate Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Participants must register for both Part One and Part Two and bring their own copy of the ABLLS. The website for ABLLS is: www.difflearn.com

Sensitivity and understanding to autism spectrum disorders can provide positive experiences for both disabled and non-disabled students. Through opportunities provided by non-disabled peers, students with autism can practice and learn appropriate social skills. Dr. Rochelle Borsky, an Educational Consultant in both public and specialized school settings will provide training in the development and implementation of peer supports in general education settings.

Dr. Jed Baker is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, a private organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. His books on social skills training are widely recognized. His workshop will help school staff and parents develop practices to facilitate social skills training in the school setting, by providing information on skill acquisition and application in various settings.

Another dimension of the autism spectrum disorders is Asperger Syndrome. Students with this syndrome often encounter social isolation due to their lack of understanding of the rules of social behavior. They tend to be emotionally vulnerable and easily stressed. Dr. Barbara Lee, Assistant Professor from Kean University will provide information on what it takes for these students to be successful as they are educated with their typically developing peers. Dr. Lee will present another workshop to help educators who work with students in the autism spectrum create effective classrooms. Various teaching and behavior management strategies will be addressed.

Since supporting and encouraging learning is considered a mutual responsibility of school staff and parents, it is important to value the role that parents and educators play in the lives of children with disabilities. While parents and educators may look at the educational process from a wide range of perspectives, the goal of optimal learning and a parent's hope for independent living at the conclusion of their child's education is not mutually exclusive. Children should experience their parents and teachers working together to create and maximize learning opportunities for all phases of their development. In order to make this possible, more collaborative efforts are needed to help bridge the gap between parents and educators that too often exists.

During special education meetings, parents need to be considered valuable members of the educational team as they experience the many facets of their child seven days per week. School staff can provide information to parents on how their child approaches learning in the school environment, and parents can share how their child approaches a variety of situations at home. Both parents and educators can gain valuable information about a child’s pattern of learning and develop strategies to support a child’s s trengths. Dr. Rodger Goddard, Chief Psychologist at Trinitas Hospital and Director of Wellness Management Services, will provide strategies to help parents and school personnel overcome the common sources of conflict during these meetings.

Lynn Muller-Guiser, Coordinator of a county group of parents who have children with disabilities and Melanie O’Dea, Special Education Consultant at the Learning Resource Center-Central, will prepare teams of parents and special educators to facilitate communication and collaboration. Participants will be able to turnkey this training in their school districts.

The Monmouth County Office of the Superintendent was instrumental in establishing a special education panel to support and facilitate inclusion. Members of this panel include parents and educators. They will address the importance of collaboration and the preparations that must take place in order for students to return to the least restrictive environment.

Howard Gardener’s work “Frames of Mind-The Theory of Multiple Intelligences” has profoundly changed the concept that intelligence is a single entity, resulting from a single factor and measured simply by IQ tests.His theory of the existence of seven intelligences has been incorporated by many educational institutions, in the planning of approaches to curricula and the designing of classrooms to meet the needs of a range of learners.

Medical technology in mapping brain functions, continues to enlighten both the medical profession and reaps tremendous benefits for educators. Dr. Pamela Gray, is an experienced educator with a great deal of knowledge in the challenges of diversity, inclusion and differentiated instruction. In “Brain Based Learning”, she will focus on the latest research so that participants can create instructional practices that utilize the learning process to its fullest capacity, for all types of learners.

Dr. Terry Burik who has served as a LDTC and Director of Special Services and currently consults throughout the state, will address multiple intelligences. She will help educators identify their neurological strengths and explore ways that will facilitate different ways of teaching and reaching a diverse group of students.

Knowing how to use flexible grouping is a key ingredient for high quality teaching. Understanding brain research and using the theory of multiple intelligences goes hand in hand with flexible grouping in order to meet the diverse needs in a classroom. Dr. Tracey Garrett, Assistant Professor at Rider College will help teachers accomplish this often difficult task through an interactive, activities based presentation.

The Steering Committee has seen the need to initiate specific training in various skill areas. This current year we have scheduled the Wilson Reading and Language Two-Day Overview on September 19th and 20th. In addition, we will be providing Level I Wilson and Reading Language Training beginning on October 2.* These seminars and training series are offered through the academy on a fee for service basis. A Level II certification training is also being planned.

If you have a need for skill training in a specific area, it is important that you contact a member of the Steering Committee to express that need. This will ensure that the identified need is communicated to the entire Steering Committee and we may than plan accordingly.

Two–Day Overview - $145.00 (includes continental breakfast-lunch on your own)

Level One Certification includes:

• Full day startup seminar
• Five implementation conferences
• Five observations by Wilson Trainer of Teacher on site
• Registration for on-line course

Fee for this program is based on the number of participants. Please call for this information.