NASP Summer Conferences
Nashville, TN: July 26-28, 2010
Full-Day Preconference Workshops
Presenter biographies are available here.
Monday, July 26, 2010
8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Determining Eligibility for Special Education in an RTI System (6 credit hours)
Joseph F. Kovaleski, DEd, NCSP, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
The implementation of RTI models within schools and districts challenges school psychologists to use alternative assessment methods and requires establishing new skills and new procedures that will result in teams’ making technically sound decisions for students. This workshop presents cutting-edge procedures for using an assessment of a student’s response to intervention (RTI) as part of a multidisciplinary evaluation to determine special education eligibility. Participants will explore innovative and practical ways to use the data gathered in the RTI process to inform special education eligibility and entitlement decisions. The components of the IDEA requirements for the identification of specific learning disabilities will be operationalized for school psychologists and assessment teams. Workshop components will include (a) assessment of a student’s dual discrepancy of academic level and rate of improvement, (b) procedures for ruling out lack of instruction and other disabilities and conditions, and (c) writing the evaluation report. In addition, participants will assess their school district’s readiness to implement RTI in terms of overall efforts for school improvement.
By attending this workshop, participants will be better equipped to:
- Identify assessment procedures for RTI that are embedded in a three-tier model of service delivery.
- Articulate how RTI is used in the procedure to determine eligibility for special education.
- Conceptualize new report writing language for composing evaluation reports in an RTI model.
Cognitive–Behavioral Interventions for Reducing Anxiety in Children and Adolescents (6 credit hours)
Rosemary B. Mennuti, EdD, NCSP, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA; Ray W. Christner, PsyD, NCSP, Cognitive Health Solutions, LLC, Hanover, PA
Treatment of anxiety disorders at an early age is essential; particularly because of the negative impact that anxiety disorders can have both socially and academically. Understanding the complications and effects of anxiety disorders on children makes the development and implementation of interventions imperative. The treatment of anxiety with cognitive–behavioral interventions may be most effective when implemented in school systems and with collaboration from student’s parents. The purpose of this workshop is to offer school practitioners a framework from which to provide effective and efficient services. Through the use of didactic and experiential activities, this workshop will move through the process from the assessment and identification of students in need to the implementation of evidence-based counseling strategies, including cognitive–behavioral techniques. There will be a specific focus on case conceptualization and its relationship to effective treatment planning and intervention selection. The presenters will use case examples throughout the workshop to highlight specific assessment and intervention issues.
During this workshop, participants will accomplish the following learning outcomes:
- Gain knowledge regarding the treatment of anxiety disorders in school age children and youth.
- Understand a multileveled system of interventions for reducing anxiety in children and adolescents.
- Acquire a format from which to conceptualize individual cases to develop appropriate goals and select effective strategies.
- Apply specific cognitive and behavioral strategies and interventions to a variety of presenting problems.