Greetings, SPDG Coordinators, Directors, and Evaluators:
We are pleased to inform you of the various SPDG happenings during the OSEP Project Directors' Conference. First and foremost is SIG Day, the SPDG Program Area Meeting, which occurs Monday, July 19, 2:30-5:00pm. This year's agenda provides you an opportunity to participate in two rounds of small group discussions focused on our popular PLC topics. Facilitators will guide the conversations using critical questions and the 3-2-1 Reflection Process. To prepare for these conversations we ask that participants review the guiding questions for each topic. To view the agenda or download the discussion questions go to: http://signetwork.org/content_pages/68 <http://signetwork.org/content_pages/68> . In addition, some facilitators have posted relevant articles or resources for participants to review prior to the live event. If you plan to attend one of the topics listed below, we strongly encourage you to go to http://signetwork.org/content_pages/68 <http://signetwork.org/content_pages/68> to download the posted documents for the specified subject. ROUND ONE * Coaching * Multi-Tiered Models of Intervention * Technology - Beginner Level * Evaluation: Measuring Collaboration ROUND TWO * Coaching * Technology - Advanced Level Monday, July 19 - Poster Session Title: Training, professional development, and technical assistance: Using an innovative technology to address a critical issue. Presenters: John A. Green, Kansas SPDG Coordinator, Lori Romano, Florida SPDG Director, and Audrey Desjarlais, SIGnetwork Coordinator Description: Audrey will describe the evaluation results of implementing the SPDG technology initiative for one year. The purpose of the initiative was assist SPDG projects to effectively and efficiently use technology to communicate, collaborate, and provide technical assistance and professional development. Lori Romano will provide a demonstration of how Florida is using Wikis to enhance communication and resource sharing on a regional level, and John Green will demonstrate Kansas SPDG's Secondlife teacher recruitment fair site. Tuesday, July 20- SPDG Implementation Conversations Early Bird Session [7:30am-8:30am] Location: McKinley Room Facilitator: Jennifer Coffey, OSEP Topic: We'll continue our discussion from May on selecting the appropriate effective practices and identifying the right implementation supports at the various levels. Tuesday, July 20 - SPDG Evaluators' Affinity Session [5:15-6:15pm] Location: McKinley Room Facilitator: Pat Mueller (NH, MS) Presenters: Pattie Noonan (MO) and Carlos Romero (NM) Topic: Using a systems thinking approach to Evaluation Description: Pattie & Carlos will begin by presenting what they are doing in their respective states, specifically using the 'think block' process. Then Pat Mueller will facilitate a conversation with the group at large. For the last ten minutes Audrey will request feedback from participants on topics to address on Evaluator's topical events over the next 6 months, and to determine the preferred structure. Do individuals prefer presenter-only with Q&A sessions, or facilitated discussions focused on an article and guiding questions, similar to what was done for the measuring collaboration discussion on SIG Day? Session Materials: To be posted following the event Tuesday, July 20 - SIG Night [6:30-8:00pm] Location: Ireland's Four Fields <http://www.irelandsfourprovinces.com/> ; 3412 Connecticut Ave. NW, Metro Station: Cleveland Park Description: SIG Night is an annual event for SPDG project personnel, partners and friends to join up for a little socializing at a nearby restaurant. This year we'll be honoring Wilma Jozwiak, New York's SPDG Coordinator, who is retiring this summer.
