Professional Development Events

WebEx: Improving Expository Text Comprehension in Students with Learning Disabilities 6/30/2008 - 6/30/2008 The Center on Instruction Special Education Strand hosted a WebEx on June 30, 2008, focused on a soon-to-be-released synopsis of a research synthesis, "Improving Comprehension of Expository Text in Students With LD". One of the authors, Asha Jitendra, discussed the results of the synthesis that addressed instructional approaches for enhancing reading comprehension in upper elementary, middle, and high school students with learning disabilities. The PowerPoint presentation from the WebEx is available for download below, and the archived WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=9978912&rKey=6D3141F6D0B937C0  Improving Expository Text Comprehension in Students with Learning Disabilities (700.5 KB)  Synopsis of Improving Comprehension of Expository Text in Students with Learning Disabilities (473.33 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 7/2/2008 10:50 AM

Workshop on Language Development and Reading Interventions for ELLs 5/29/2008 - 5/30/2008 The Center on Instruction ELL Strand hosted a training-of-trainers workshop May 29-30, 2008, in Houston, Texas to provide Regional Comprehensive Center staff and state personnel with current research and instructional strategies related to language development and reading interventions for ELLs with and without disabilities. The workshop centered on the use of two soon-to-be-released COI products: a training module in language development and a guidance document on teaching reading interventions to ELLs with and without disabilities. The event provided participants with content as well as activities that can be used in future professional development meetings with teachers and school administrators. The PowerPoint presentations from the meeting are available for download below. NOTE: In order to see the Speaker's Notes on the PowerPoint presentations (depending on the web browser you are using), you may have to "save" the file to your computer.  Effective Language and Reading Interventions for English Language Learners (318 KB)  Language Development for English Language Learners (1.06 MB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 6/26/2008 3:02 PM

Workshop: High Quality Science Instruction: Findings from Research 5/7/2008 - 5/8/2008 The Center on Instruction Science Strand hosted a meeting in St. Louis, MO May 7-8, 2008, for RCC staff and state personnel to increase their understanding of, and ability to, support high quality science instruction. As part of the meeting, the elements of effective science instruction were presented and participants engaged with vignettes of science instruction to increase their understanding of the various elements. Materials from these sessions are available for download below. NOTE: In order to see the Speaker's Notes on the PowerPoint presentation (depending on the web browser you are using), you may have to "save" the file to your computer.  Effective Science Instruction with Speaker Notes (320 KB)  High Quality Science Instruction Meeting Handouts and Resources (304.5 KB)  Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell Us? (260.14 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 7/1/2008 8:21 AM

WebEx: Algebra Readiness: Mathematics Interventions 4/2/2008 - 4/2/2008 The Center on Instruction Math Strand hosted a WebEx on April 2, 2008, presented by Russell Gersten and Brad Witzel, focused on the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in algebra, what the content of intervention programs should contain and which instructional strategies are most effective for delivering these intervention programs. The PowerPoint presentations are available for download below, and the archived WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=9529877&rKey=7371C3CF5392A6A4 .  Mathematics Interventions & Algebra Readiness; Best Evidence from Scientific Research and Research Mathematicians (82.9 KB)  Algebra Interventions for Students Who Struggle (7.59 MB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 6/10/2008 7:52 AM

State RTI Implementation Meeting 3/12/2008 - 3/13/2008 The Center on Instruction Special Education strand met with eight states (Alaska, California, Idaho, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming) and their Regional Comprehensive Centers representatives in Phoenix March 12-13, 2008, to discuss statewide implementation of RTI. Previously collected information on RTI implementation in these states was reviewed and synthesized. Participants also provided input on future deliverables designed to help other RCCs and states as they implement RTI. Documents from this meeting are available for download below. For more information, please contact christymurray@austin.utexas.edu.  State RTI Implementation Meeting Agenda (94.69 KB)  PowerPoint: Welcome/Purpose/Outcome of Meeting (2.09 MB)  PowerPoint: Collaborating States' Implementation (816.02 KB)  Template and Sample for In-Depth Discussion of RTI Implementation Considerations (39.5 KB)  Alaska Implementation (179.37 KB)  California Implementation (187.97 KB)  Idaho Implementation (178.57 KB)  Mississippi Implementation (183.73 KB)  Pennsylvania Implementation (183.16 KB)  Texas Implementation (194.34 KB)  Vermont Implementation (144.33 KB)  Wyoming Implementation (216.64 KB)  Flow Chart Day 2 Whole Group Discussion-Dissemination (36 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 4/9/2008 2:51 PM

WebEx: Identifying and Implementing Key Components of Effective Writing Instruction 2/20/2008 - 2/20/2008 The Center on Instruction Special Education Strand hosted a WebEx on February 20, 2008, focused on writing as a critical aspect of literacy and one in which effective instructional techniques and models for intervention are needed. Presenter Dr. Steve Graham, co-author of Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle & High Schools, described the results and the implications for selecting and implementing effective instructional methods for adolescent writing, especially for students who are struggling or have learning disabilities. The PowerPoint presentation and the synopsis of the Writing Next document are available for download below. The archived WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=9302927&rKey=97D4B274E08F086F .  Identifying and Implementing Key Components of Effective Writing Instruction (2.21 MB)  Synopsis of Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle & High Schools (47.5 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 2/28/2008 8:59 AM

WebEx: RTI in Math: An Introduction 2/19/2008 - 2/19/2008 The Center on Instruction Math Strand hosted a WebEx on February 19, 2008, focused on the realities and benefits of using an RTI system for mathematics. Dr. David Tilly, Director of Innovation for the Heartland School District, and Sharon Kurns, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership for Heartland Area Education Agency, described critical features of the use of RTI in math in the Heartland School District. Skip Fennell, President of NCTM, followed with a discussion of the essential components of mathematics interventions from the perspective of mathematics educators and mathematicians. The PowerPoint presentations are available for download below, and the archived WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=9290207&rKey=CC085FE2B1056FBA .  Response to Intervention: General Overview and Implications (195.5 KB)  Intervention & Mathematics Teaching and Learning (549.5 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 2/27/2008 2:32 PM

WebEx: Snapshots from Five Schools Implementing RTI: Practices and Perspectives 12/4/2007 - 12/4/2007 The Center on Instruction Special Education Strand hosted a WebEx on December 4, 2007, to discuss how RTI is being implemented in different content areas in both elementary and middle schools in five RTI implementation sites. The PowerPoint presentation by Kathryn Klingler Tackett is available for download below, as well as the audio file of the WebEx (download may be slow for the audio file).  Snapshots from Five Schools Implementing RTI: Practices and Perspectives (121.88 KB)  Audio file of 12/4/07 WebEx: Snapshots from Five Schools Implementing RTI: Practices and Perspectives (61.14 MB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 12/17/2007 4:22 PM

WebEx: The Use of Mathematics Specialists in Elementary School Mathematics Programs 12/3/2007 - 12/3/2007 The Math Strand hosted a WebEx on December 3, 2007, for Regional Comprehensive Center staff. Math experts Dr. Deborah Loewenberg Ball and Dr. Hung-Hsi Wu discussed the use of mathematics specialists in elementary school mathematics programs. The PowerPoint presentation from the meeting is available below. The archived WebEx is also available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=8837812&rKey=9FBF00A4FCCEB4A3 .  The Use of Mathematics Specialists in Elementary School Mathematics Programs (229 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 12/11/2007 5:15 PM

WebEx: An Overview of Recently Released Math Resources: Screening for Mathematics Difficulties in K-3 Students, and Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) in Elementary Mathematics 11/6/2007 - 11/6/2007 The Center on Instruction Math Strand hosted a WebEx on November 6, 2007, for Regional Comprehensive Center staff, to discuss two recently released math resources. Author Dr. Ben Clarke presented Screening for Mathematics Difficulties in K-3 Students. Authors Dr. Erica Lembke and Dr. Pam Stecker presented Curriculum-Based Measurement in Mathematics: An Evidence-Based Formative Assessment Procedure. The PowerPoint presentation from the meeting is available below. The archived WebEx is also available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=8672312&rKey=FD5D9EE4CC1BBFF5 . The two documents are also available for download below, or from our resources section.  An Overview of Recently Released: Screening for Mathematics Difficulties in K-3 Students, and Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) in Elementary Mathematics (1.05 MB)  Screening for Mathematics Difficulties in K-3 Students (258.13 KB)  Curriculum-Based Measurement in Mathematics: an Evidence-Based Formative Assessment Procedure (241.74 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 11/8/2007 4:29 PM

WebEx: Center on Instruction Orientation to Year 3 Work Plan 10/30/2007 - 10/30/2007 The Center on Instruction held a WebEx on October 30, 2007, as an orientation to Regional Comprehensive Centers to COI's Year 3 Work Plan. The Power Point presentation is available for download below.  Center on Instruction Orientation to Year 3 Work Plan (124.5 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 12/11/2007 5:20 PM

WebEx: Extensive Reading Interventions in Grades K-3: From Research to Practice 10/24/2007 - 10/24/2007 The Center on Instruction Special Education Strand hosted a WebEx on October 24, 2007, to provide an opportunity for authors Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Jeanne Wanzek to present findings from the Extensive Interventions in Grades K-3: From Research to Practice report and to discuss the implications on reading-related issues for primary-grade students at risk for reading difficulties and learning disabilities. The PowerPoint presentation from the meeting is available for download below. An archived file of the WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=8603017&rKey=3E421CC665485FD3 . The document itself can also be downloaded below, or from our resources section.  Presentation from WebEx: Extensive Reading Interventions in Grades K-3: From Research to Practice (688 KB)  Extensive Reading Interventions in Grades K-3: From research to Practice (464.44 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 10/25/2007 6:23 PM

WebEx: A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to Low-Achieving Students 9/14/2007 - 9/14/2007 The Special Education Strand held a WebEx on September 14, 2007, for Regional Comprehensive Center staff. The Special Education Strand has recently released a synopsis of the 2002 publication A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to Low-Achieving Students. In the September WebEx, Dr. Scott Baker and Dr. Russell Gersten, two of the authors of the original research article, discussed their synthesis and provided an update on research in the area of math interventions since its 2002 publication. The PowerPoint presentation from the meeting is available for download below. An archived file of the WebEx is available at https://rmcres.webex.com/rmcres/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=8424957&rKey=6C7D29FD87B74B13 . The original report itself as well as the COI synopsis can also be downloaded below, or from our resources section.  Presentation from WebEx: A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to Low-Achieving Students (223.5 KB)  A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to Low-Achieving Students (3.13 MB)  A Synopsis of a Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to low-Achieving Students (141.03 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 10/26/2007 11:41 AM

Video Conference: Overview of Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents 4/30/2007 - 4/30/2007 In a video conference held April 30, 2007, Dr. Joseph Torgesen of COI's Reading Strand provided an overview of the newly released "Adolescent Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction." To view the archived video, go to http://www.wfsu.org/fcrr/ and click on "Overview of Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents" in either RealTime or Windows Media. A PowerPoint used as the handout discussed in the video conference is also available  Video Conference PowerPoint - Overview of Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents (605.78 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 5/11/2007 5:59 PM

Math Institute: Content Knowledge for Elementary School Teachers 1/26/2007 - 1/27/2007 The Center on Instruction's Math Strand hosted a Math Institute: Content Knowledge for Elementary School Teachers on January 26-27, 2007, which discussed the importance of teachers' content knowledge in making pedagogical decisions to improve student achievement. The highlight of the conference was demonstrations of conceptual foundations of mathematical content by Professor Wu of the University of California at Berkeley. Professor Wu described the underlying mathematical concepts for different algorithms including whole number multiplication and division of fractions. Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 4/12/2007 5:26 PM

Podcast of Presentation: Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners 12/11/2006 - 12/11/2006 Dr. David Francis of the ELL Strand of the Center on Instruction delivered a teleconference presentation providing an overview of the series of Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners, and an podcast of this is available for download below.  Podcast of WebEx Presentation: Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners (9.29 MB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 10/18/2007 11:43 AM

Math Summit: Providing Evidence-Based Practices and Implications of NCTM Focal Points 11/13/2006 - 11/14/2006 The Center on Instruction Mathematics Strand, in conjunction with the New York Regional Comprehensive Center, hosted a Math Institute November 13-14, 2006, to introduce recently developed materials and to discuss how these PowerPoint presentations and tools can be used in work with states. PowerPoint presentations from this Institute are available below for downloading.  Early Mathematics Assessment/Clarke and Gersten (198.36 KB)  Curriculum Focal Points for PreK-Grade 8 Mathematics: A Quest for Coherence/Fennell (355.4 KB)  Pre-Algebra and Algebra Instruction and Assessments/Geller (447.3 KB)  Principles of Effective Assessment for Screening and Progress Monitoring/L. Fuchs (890.78 KB)  The Mathematics Teachers Need to Know/Milgram (1.51 MB)  Progress Monitoring for Elementary Mathematics/Stecker (439.33 KB)  Effective Instructional Practices for Students with Difficulties in Mathematics: Findings from a Research Synthesis/Gersten, Baker, and Chard (159.08 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 12/14/2006 11:07 AM

Conference Presentation: Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners 10/28/2006 - 10/29/2006 Dr. David Francis of the ELL Strand of the Center on Instruction delivered a presentation describing a series of guidelines for the education of English Language Learners which were released at the LEP Partnership meeting Washington, DC October 28-29, 2006. The PowerPoint presentation is available for download below.  PowerPoint Presentation from LEP Partnership Meeting October 28-29, 2006, Washington, DC (5.29 MB) Sponsored by LEP Partnership Published: 12/11/2006 5:57 PM

Webcast: Overview of A Principal's Guide to Intensive Reading Interventions for Struggling Readers in Elementary Schools 5/10/2006 On May 10, 2006, Dr. Joseph Torgesen presented a Webcast of "A Principal's Guide to Intensive Reading Interventions for Struggling Readers in Elementary Schools." The Webcast is available at http://www.wfsu.org/fcrr under Conference Archives. Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 6/14/2006 12:22 PM

Symposium: Response to Intervention 4/12/2006 The Special Education Strand of the Center on Instruction hosted a one-day symposium on April 12, 2006, on Response to Intervention in Austin, Texas. Nationally known presenters Jack Fletcher, Don Compton, Doug Marston, Sharon Vaughn and Joe Witt provided information on recent empirical and practical developments related to Response to Intervention models and methods. PowerPoint presentations are available for downloading below.  Why RtI? Some Research Findings/Fletcher (833.37 KB)  Utiliting CBM to Predict Placement Status/Compton, Fuchs and Fuchs (936.17 KB)  Core Concepts of RtI/Witt (952.98 KB)  Problem Solving and Response to Intervention/Marston (2.15 MB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 8/22/2006 2:56 PM

Workshop: K-3 and Adolescent Literacy 2/14/2006 - 2/15/2006 On February 14 and 15, 2006, the Center on Instruction hosted a two-day workshop for Regional Comprehensive Centers staff on the topic K-12 literacy. Presented by the Center on Instruction's Reading Strand partner, the Florida Center for Reading Research, the first day focused on beginning reading instruction (K-3) while the second day focused on adolescent literacy (grades 4-12). The training presented strategies for supporting literacy problems for average and struggling readers and research-based strategies for literacy instruction and content enhancement. PowerPoint presentations by presenters Dr. Joe Torgesen and Dr. Marcia Kosanovich of the Florida Center for Reading Research, Dr. Nell Duke of Michigan State University and the Literacy Achievement Research Center, Dr. John Guthrie of the University of Maryland, and Dr. Keith Lenz of the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning are available below for downloading.  K-3 Adol. LW - Adol. Lit. Overview PPT (496.5 KB)  FCRR Reports: A Resource for Selecting Reading Programs (1.03 MB)  Assistance to States: Revising Certification Exams and Reading Standards (132.5 KB) Sponsored by Center on Instruction Published: 6/6/2006 10:50 AM