Hello All.....
I'm back again, with info on the upcoming training for the continuously improving, continuous improvement process: QPVI Public Schools... this email also describes some changes in the process. Please read on and think about coming to the two days of training on Thursday & Friday, January 27 & 28, 2011 @ the ALL NEW TSBVI Outreach building on the ALL NEW campus of TSBVI.
The QPVI process continues to morph as the requirements of state and federal laws increase the need for us to meet requirements for data based decision-making, research based practice and the like. This year's training has some additional features that will allow facilitators to collect and track data that reflect quality programming.
I recommend the training for new facilitators or those considering implementing QP for the first time. For experienced facilitators, my plan is to address these changes with each of you individually as I meet with you this year.
A Sampling of Changes to QPVI
The analysis of the Master List of Students is used immediately as a starting point for making improvements. Since a major purpose of Key Component #1: Master List is to determine if the information required to be in student folders is current, complete and accessible, our analysis of the Master List ends with percentages for each required field. For example, how many/what percentage of students are missing or have out of date FVE/LMAs? If the percentage is not acceptable (is anything short of 100% acceptable?) Then a target percentage is agreed upon and strategies to achieve that percentage developed, with a timeline for implementation.
Since out of date or nonexistent FVE/LMAs is a statewide (nationwide) issue, addressing this alone will have a positive impact on VI programs. In one site, where only one teacher had been doing all the evals, the teachers decided to get some training, then do them as a team until there was a feeling of competency among those who had not done them. Looking at all the info on the Master List provides a baseline of data for the program. Action plans are developed to improve the data. That is revisited by the district at the start of every year, noting improved numbers and percentages to track their improvement efforts. In many sites, VI staff has decided to update all disability specific information by the student???s IEP date of the current year, which is a challenging undertaking, with exciting outcomes.
In addition to tracking the timeliness if this disability specific information, we model the use of each assessment piece to inform our IEPs and instruction through the use of our sample students (a sample of students selected to represent the student population as a whole).
Facilitators being trained this year will receive a couple of powerful tools that are useful in illustrating and tracking VI Program practice and progress. One is a graphic format for expressing this information, and tracking progress over several years??? time. Another is an instrument developed that allows us to screen all our students in all nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum in a way that is effective, but not time prohibitive.
We support VI staff in using research based and evidence based practice in all areas of instruction in areas of Unique Needs. Along those lines, we also address the assessment to IEP to instruction to performance outcome cycle and look at effective teaching practices.
We are absolutely thrilled to be adding the "Essential Assessments Rubric" which was rolled out last summer at AER in Little Rock by Karen Blankenship and Mary Ann Siller to our arsenal of tools promoting the establishment of standards of practice in the assessments TVIs and COMS conduct. (FVA, LMA, ECC)
And last, but definitely not least, is the redeveloped QPVI website, which not features Implementation Sites to support QPVI Facilitators and Participants in completing their QPVI process more efficiently and, at the same time, sharing their valuable documents and resources with others. Participant portfolios, with artifacts representing their best work and a list of their own professional development efforts is also an option.
I hope some or all of this has piqued your curiosity. Please contact me if you would like to come.
As usual, we have an interesting group participating from other states ..... they are always welcome and can be counted on to spice up our meetings with tales of their own experiences. As many of you know, January is the very best time to enjoy a "cool" Austin experience... so plan to come on down. I hope to see you or hear from you soon.
Please see the agenda for both days.
Thanks, Nancy