M E M O R A N D U M
TO:County Superintendents of Schools
County Special Education Administrators
County Instructional Leaders
Brenda Williams, Executive Director, Office of Instructional Technology Frank Andrews, Superintendent, Institutional Education Programs
Jane McBride, Superintendent, West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind
FROM:Lynn Boyer, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Office of Special Education
DATE:April 3, 2006
SUBJECT:Building Tech Savvy Special Educators in West Virginia Middle and High Schools
The Office of Special Education, in collaboration with the Office of Instructional Technology, is implementing an initiative in a maximum of 70 middle schools and high schools to enhance the knowledge and skills of special education teachers to integrate technology into instruction specifically for students with disabilities in general education classes. Special education teachers selected to participate in this initiative will receive 40 days of professional development that parallels the professional development received by the Technology Integration Specialists (TIS). This training results in an authorization in instructional technology integration awarded by the Office of Professional Preparation. Schools employing Technology Integration Specialists for Special Education (TIS-SE) will receive a $5,000.00 grant to defray the costs of the required technology and professional development.
Special education teachers who participate in this initiative are expected to maintain a caseload, albeit one that is reduced, and to bring added value to their consultative and co-teaching roles. They are expected to bring knowledge and skills in technology instruction to the classroom(s) to which they are assigned to benefit all students, but especially those with disabilities. In addition, they are expected to be a resource to other educators in the school as appropriate and relevant. Their assignment will need to accommodate this expectation. Participating special education teachers must complete the required training provided within this initiative and are expected to remain in special education assignments for at least two years following completion.
TIS-SE Memorandum
April 3, 2006
Page 2
Schools where special education teachers are participating in this initiative will receive a grant of $5,000.00. These funds will help to defray the costs for stipends, substitute teachers and travel associated with training during the 2006 summer and 2006-07 school year. Negotiations for the purchase of hardware are ongoing, but schools may be responsible for approximately $4,500.00 in hardware, including the provision of a wireless laptop computer, LCD projector and whiteboard for each participating special education teacher. Principals should work with county technology contacts to ensure appropriate configurations and to take advantage of state contracts. Examples of other funding sources that can be used to support this pilot at the local level include Medicaid dollars, Title II professional development monies, other school improvement or professional development monies and IDEA, Part B funds identified in the LEA application for FY 07.
Special education teachers who are ideal candidates for participation in this initiative have the following characteristics:
- Certification in special education
- Three years experience as a special educator
- Experience working in general education classrooms in a consultative or co-teaching role
- A flexible instructional style
- Demonstrated ease with using instructional technology
- Demonstrated computer literacy and regular access to a personal computer at home or school.
Professional development for the participating special education teachers will be coordinated by the Instructional Technology for Special Education Coordinator, a new position in the Office of Special Education. All components of the training will be done in collaboration with the Office of Instructional Technology.
The 40 days of professional development are anticipated to follow the schedule below:
15 days:
July 10 – 14Embassy Suites in Charleston
July 17 – August 11 Online course requiring equivalent of 5 days work to be completed between July 10 - August 11
August 7-11Technology Conference, Charleston Civic Center
25 days:
Required professional development will be provided during the year, e.g., workshops, online modules, site visitations and attendance at national conferences. Specifics will be determined in conjunction with counties and provided at a later date.
TIS-SE Memorandum
April 3, 2006
Page 3
The achievement of students with disabilities at the middle and high school levels is particularly distressing and impacts their pursuit of graduation requirements and post school options. Their access to the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives and to 21st Century skills is as critical as the instruction that addresses their unique learning needs. As the number of students with mild and moderate disabilities receiving instruction in general education classes increases, the need for special and general education teachers to be knowledgeable in presenting information through technology that will engage the students is crucial. Teachers participating in this initiative will expand their expertise in technology integration for improving instruction through enhanced consultative and co-teaching relationships.
An application for the special education teacher to complete and assurances statements to be completed by the principal and county special education administrator are attached. Please contact Mary Nunn at or 304-558-2696 for further information regarding the Technology Integration Specialist for Special Education initiative.
cc: OSE staff
RESA special education administrators