The Institute for Practitioners of Diverse Learners:
Current Approaches in Special Education and Dual Language Education
Sponsored by
The Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education
The New England Equity Assistance Center
Learning Innovations at WestEd
March 7, 2008
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Four Point Sheraton Hotel
Leominster, MA
The special education strand in this one-day institute focuses on two overlooked yet critical factors reflecting the complexities in the referral and placement process of English language learners (ELLs): authentic parental involvement and culturally responsive assessment practices. The dual language program strand focuses on assessment and instructional practices within a bilingual/biliterate context.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Beth Harry, “Building Culturally Responsive Relationships with Families”
Dr. Harry is a professor of special education in the department of teaching and learning at the University of Miami. Her research and teaching focus on the impact of special education on families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Dr. Mary Cazabon, (Title Pending)
Dr. Cazabon is the director of bilingual and English language acquisition programs K–12 in the Cambridge Public Schools. Dr. Cazabon works in the development, implementation and monitoring of ESL and sheltered English immersion and bilingual education programs. She is an adjunct faculty member in the University of Massachusetts, Boston’s applied linguistics graduate school program.
Workshop Presenters:
Dr. Sheranz Garcia, “Parents and Professional Collaboration in the Assessment Process”
Dr. Garcia is an associate professor in the department of special education at the University of Texas, Austin. Her teaching and research interests include intercultural communication in the classroom, effective programs for language minority students at educational risk, the disproportionate representation of students from culturally diverse backgrounds in special education, bilingual and multicultural special education, and teacher education.
Dr. Elizabeth R. Howard, “Best Practices in a Dual Language Program”
Who should come?
Attendance is recommended for school evaluation team members such as social workers, guidance counselors, special educators, speech and language pathologists, general educators, English as a second language or bilingual/dual language teachers, reading specialists, occupational/physical therapists, school administrators, and other educators who provide services to ELLs in their school or district.
Participation will be limited to 200 people due to space constraints. THERE IS NO ONSITE REGISTRATION. Registration forms can be downloaded from the MABE website (http://www.massmabe.org) and the New England Equity Assistance Center website (http://neeac.alliance.brown.edu) from January 15 to March 1, 2008.
Cost: $120.00 (or $100.00 per person for groups of 4 or more per district)