Seclusion and Restraint: The Impact of Federal and State Policy on the Classroom

Satellite Airing Date: Friday October 9, 2009 1-3pm ET

This conference is designed to assist both administrators and educators develop policies regarding the use of timeout and restraint procedures in their schools/classrooms to ensure they are used in a safe and efficacious manner. The presenters will review potential risks associated with these interventions, review of the literature concerning the efficacy of these procedures, current state-based policies, essential components a policy should address and recommended practices for schools and educators that elect to incorporate these procedures into their behavior management plans.

Healthy, Physically Fit and Ready for Action: Addressing the Physical Education and Activity Needs of Individuals with Disabilities

Satellite Airing Date: Friday December 4, 2009 1-3pm ET

Students with disabilities are expected to achieve in their classrooms at the same high academic levels as their nondisabled peers. Yet, often times, health and fitness barriers such as obesity, low energy, plus low self-esteem and social integration issues get in the way of their ability to achieve. This conference will address these concerns and show how good programs in (adapted) physical education and activity led by highly qualified teachers can make a real difference, not only with the individuals' health, physical well-being and life-long fitness, but also in academics.

Dr. Bob Arnhold – Slippery Rock UniversityLinda Webbert  – Baltimore Public Schools

Dr. Garth Tymeson – University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse

Connecting Educational Standards to Student Learning Plans

Satellite Airing Date: Friday March 19, 2010 1-3pm ET

As schools become increasingly accountable for the academic achievement of students with disabilities, instruction based on academic content standards has become a best practice in American classrooms. One method for planning the student’s instructional program is through the development and implementation of standards-based IEPs. This conference will walk through the steps involved in developing standards-based IEPs and discuss both successes these kinds of IEPs generate and the barriers to their development and implementation from both state and local perspectives.

Marla Holbrook – Alabama Department of Education

Charlotte Kerr – Homewood City Schools, Alabama

Satellite Airing Date: Friday May 7, 2010 1-3pm ET

Back by popular demand, Nancy Reder, NASDSE’s Director of Government Relations and her invited guests will provide an update of current education policy, as well as invite her colleagues to peer into their crystal balls to share their thoughts about what is on the horizon and the impact of federal policies on the classroom.

Nancy Reder – NASDSE

Others to be announced