The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) and the Elementary and Middle Schools Technical Assistance Center (EMSTAC) Present:

Collaboration: Teaming to Provide Technical Assistance to Local School Districts

Collaboration

A Group Definition

Collaboration

Characterized by: mutual respect trust open communication pooling of personal resources and expertise joint ownership

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Our Mission The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an

educational service agency and regional partner providing customized programs and services to advance the quality of life for all learners.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Our Vision The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an

educational service agency dedicated to success for all learners. We champion best practices and innovative approaches in teaching and learning. Through partnerships and collaborative leadership, we enhance the capacity of schools and communities to support all children and families.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Our Home Forty-two school districts in Allegheny

County, PA Range of Services

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Technical Assistance

OSEP has long funded technical assistance and dissemination projects. Currently 40 different centers across the country are operating. EMSTAC is one of these centers.

Clearinghouse Regional Resource

Center Topical Center:

Early Childhood Transition Inclusion Families Technology Behavior Reading

The EMSTAC Team

Barbara Acosta Keith Berman Brad Carl Shirley Cole Christina Diamond

Miriam Gerver Jim Hamilton Tony Johnson Lydia Killos Jessica Margolin

Maury McInerney Eric Mesmer Laurel Nishi Christine Paulsen Suzanne Ritter

Kristin Ruedel Jessica Saunders Amanda Schwartz Muna Shami Michael Smith

Caroline Sunshine Judy Wald Charity Welch Darren Woodruff

Martha Young Aashti Zaidi

Elementary and Middle Schools Technical Assistance Center

EMSTAC’s mission is to develop a comprehensive approach to technical assistance that can be used nationwide to improve results for children with disabilities

EMS CElementary & Middle SchoolsTechnical Ass is tance Center

TA

Our Goal: Positive Outcomesfor Children

Identify and Team with Local Advocates

Develop Collaborative Communication Networks

Promote Knowledge Exchange

Supporting Linking Agents in their efforts to implement research-based practices

Outcomes for Students with

Disabilities

Technical Assistance (TA)

Involves helping local school districts build their capacity to improve educational services & outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.

Some examples of EMSTAC TA efforts include school-wide behavioral interventions reading instruction inclusion of students with disabilities

into general education programs disproportionate representation of

minorities in special education

A Variety of Supports for Schools

Technical Assistance Liaisons

Local Linking Agents

National Network of Educators and Resources (e.g. CASE, CCSSO, MPRRC)

Comprehensive Website: www.emstac.org

Online Training

Technical Assistance Liaisons (TA Liaisons)

TA Liaisons are AIU and EMSTAC staff who work with the Linking Agent to support his/her role.

TA Liaisons consult with Linking Agents, provide guidance and problem-solving assistance, and connect Linking Agents to research.

Linking Agents

“Linking Agent” is a term to describe individuals in school systems that promote school improvement by helping districts implement research-based practices.

Linking Agents are problem-solvers, connectors to research, and facilitators of change in their school district.

Recent EMSTAC Chat Events• Reducing Behavioral Referrals, Suspensions, and Expulsions: The Use of Social Skills Training and Other Behavioral Interventions in the Classroom

• Using Co-Teaching and Teaming Strategies to Facilitate Inclusion for Students with Disabilities

• PAM: Prereferral Assessment Model

• Literacy Interventions for Elementary and Middle Schools

• Behavioral Interventions and Strategies

• Spring Forward: First Steps as a New Linking Agent

• Life as an EMSTAC Linking Agent

• Conducting a Needs Assessment at the Local Level

• Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners

EMSTAC Products Reading Instruction for Students with Disabilities Literacy Instruction for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing English Language Development/English as a Second Language Social Skills Instruction and Schoolwide Discipline Selecting an Intervention or Program: A Guide for Education Personnel Addressing the Challenges of Autism: Research Findings and Promising Practices Study Skills: Information and Strategies for Education Professionals Everyone Wins: Accessing the General Education Curriculum in Various Settings (in press) Addressing the Challenges of Disproportionality: Research Findings and Promising Practices (in press) Strategies to Help Districts Collect Evaluation Data (in press) A Qualitative Description of Collaborative Teams in Today’s Classroom (in press) The "A-ha" Guide to Maximizing School Resources: Tips and Suggestions (in press)

How Does the Change Process Fit In?

As interventions are brought into schools, change will occur.

If Linking Agents understand the process of change and can help the school district work through change, they are more likely to be successful.

The Change Process

The Collaboration(or, How AIU and EMSTAC Met)

CEC Conference 1999

Complementary Missions

Getting the Ball Rolling Visiting AIU Recruiting school districts Training Linking Agents Moving the process along

AIU-EMSTAC Collaboration Model

National-Level Resources and

Networking

State-Level Resources and

Networking

EMSTAC(Technical Assistance Liaison)

AIU(Technical Assistance Liaison)

School District A (Linking

Agent)

School District B (Linking

Agent)

School District C (Linking

Agent)

Benefits of the Partnership

Increased network opportunitiesAdditional resources for districtsRecognition for the Intermediate UnitResearch based practicesImproved outcomes for students

Keys to Successful School District Improvement

• District Leadership

• Building-Level Leadership

• Internal Collaboration

• Internal Locus of Change

• History with Past Initiatives

• External Support

Challenges

Administrative supportInternal governance issuesDistrict demographics and characteristicsThe role of the Linking AgentDistinction between AIU and EMSTAC

What’s Next?

Retaining School Districts Projections for school districts with which we

are currently working Utilizing videoconferencing capabilities

Extending Collaboration

Recruiting More School Districts

Wrap Up

Discussion, questions, and feedback

Thank you!