Areas of Activity

Professional Development

Interdisciplinary Disability and Diversity Studies Certificate for Student Services Coordinators

The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii State Department of Education, and parents of children with disabilities partnered to develop an Interdisciplinary Disability and Diversity Studies Certificate for Student Service Coordinators. The 15-semester credit graduate level certificate is designed to provide Department of Education Student Service Coordinators (SSC's) with interdisciplinary leadership and skill training to effectively implement a comprehensive student support system (CSSS) within Hawaii public schools for all children to learn and perform toward high standards. The certificate is intended to support SSC's and support staff to promote service integration and coordination of state and local education, social, health, mental health, and other services to meet the social, emotional and physical needs required for all children, including children with disabilities.

Outcomes:

• 145 SSCs across 6 islands participated in 1 or more interdisciplinary certificate courses (Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Kauai, & Lanai)
• December 13, 2001, thirty-five (35) SSCs received the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Disability and Diversity Studies for the successful completion of the 5 3-credit graduate level courses in the certificate program.
• May 4 & May 11, 2002, twenty-eight (28) SSCs on Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai received the Interdisciplinary Certificate.
• Fall 2000 - Spring 2002, over 145 SSCs on 6 islands participated in one or more courses in the certificate program.
• March 4 & 5, 2002 over 100 SSCs attended the 2002 PacRim Conference at the Sheraton Waikiki on March 4 & 5.
• SSCs also had a special meeting from 5-9 pm on Monday, March 4 to enhance networking of SSCs throughout the state.
• SSCs are participating in leadership roles including SIG SBBH Workgroup and Advisory Council
• SSC Projects developed in training implemented in school sites
  

Next Step Recommendations:

• Evaluate SSC training and impact on their school site
• Identify "What's Working" practices in SSC trained schools.
• Continuation of SSC training within expansion to Student Support Teams
  

Additional Training and Development Activities

Through the SIG grant the CDS, in partnership with DOE, has provided professional development opportunities for educational leaders through the Principal's Institute. The Institute provided principals with an opportunity to learn about the conceptual framework for a comprehensive system of student supports (CSSS) and how to build an array of student supports and an infrastructure to continue the improvement process. * • A team of presenters from three agencies conducted a one-day training providing 180 family members and agency personnel with attitudes, skills and knowledge for smoother transitions from Early Intervention into DOE Special Education Preschool.

• Train the Trainer: A one-day train-the-trainer workshop was conducted on Steps to Transition for District STEPS teams, providing 51 family members and agency personnel with attitudes, skills, and knowledge for training others to implement smoother transitions from Early Intervention into DOE Special Education Preschool.
  
• A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA): In partnership with the Hawai`i Parent Training and Information Program (Learning Disabilities Association of Hawai`i), partial support was provided for the implementation of more than 80 training events attended by more than 1,300 parents, school personnel, and related services providers. Topics included overview of IDEA and Section 504, IEP eligibility and preparation, special education process, using the IEP for future planning, Chapter 56, and procedural safeguards.
  
  Next Step Recommendations:
  
• What’s Working in Hawaii Schools: Current practices that have been found to effectively support students, families, and staff are being identified and printed in the “What’s Working in Hawaii Schools”. This publication is created to provide support for sustainability and the sharing (scaling up) of these practices with interested sites.
• Professional Development Opportunities: To provide professional development opportunities for School Resource Coordination Teams (SID and CSSS Cadres) .
• Capacity Building Institute: The Capacity Building Institute will be held on February 11th and 12th at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. School Teams of 5-10 members will receive hands on Training to improve their school’s capacity to provide a quality system of student supports. Scholarships are available to qualified teams. For more information, please contact Jacki Rhuman, Center on Disability Studies, rhuman@hawaii.edu.
  
  In-Service and Pre-Service Training
  
  Literacy Brown Bag Focus Group
  
  This group looks across all grant partner's departments with a focus on improving literacy instruction and supports for all kids and particularly kids with disabilities. Invitations for participation went to members of the DOE General Education and Special Education Branches including the State Literacy Specialist, Title One Schools, the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, College of Education Dual Track co-hort, and Special Education Department, Hawaii Families As Allies, and various community based literacy groups. Participants feel the monthly gatherings have been invaluable for networking, increased awareness of literacy events, offerings and projects. Next steps for the group are to identify specific projects that would bring the DOE, COE, and Chaminade University together to create and implement pre-service and in-service training that in concert improves literacy instruction and supports in the State of Hawaii.
  
  > October 2002 Meeting Minutes
  > November Agenda
  
  For information on upcoming meetings contact Dr. Shannon Simonelli, Center on Disability Studies, 956-8710
  
  Additional Pre-Service and In-Service Training & Development Outcomes
  (related SIG and Felix Consent Decree funded activities)
  
  • About 150 teachers were supported to progress towards special education certification through the Respecialization In Special Education (RISE) Program (conducted in collaboration with Chaminade University).
    
  • Through an Educational Aide Career Ladder Training Program, 224 educational aides completed basic training and moved on to intermediate training, and 153 educational aides were progressing in advanced training.
    
  • In order to attract more students to university special education training programs, tuition waiver programs are in place for all special education training programs, under MOAs with UH College of Education and Chaminade University.
    
  • In order to attract more young people into the field of special education, a media/public awareness campaign is being undertaken with the UH College of Education aimed at intermediate and high school students.
    
  • Through an MOA with the UH College of Education, pre-service courses providing essential attitudes, skills, and knowledge for effective special education practice have been expanded.
    
  • Through an MOA with the UH School of Medicine (Speech Pathology and Audiology Department), pre-service courses providing essential attitudes, skills, and knowledge for effective speech pathology practice have been expanded. During 2001, 24 students completed the speech pathology program, and with the support of this MOA, it is projected that the number of program graduates will increase annually, to 37 in 2002, 55 in 2003, and 62 in 2004.
    
  • Numerous in-service training activities for DOE teachers, administrators, and support personnel were developed, scheduled, and implemented on a wide range of topics, including the integrated IEP, literacy for special education and Section 504 students, positive behavioral supports, school-based mental health services, and autism.