2011+Institute+Overview




 * THIS IS NOT THE CURRENT INSTITUTE. THIS IS 2011-2012 INSTITUTE MATERIAL. CURRENT PAGE IS HERE. **

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Career/Vocational Technical Education, in partnership with Learning Innovations (LI) at WestEd is pleased to announce the launch of the Vocational/Agricultural Technical Special Education Leadership Institute for Special Education Directors. During this first pilot year, all Special Education Directors in the Massachusetts’ regional, agricultural, collaborative and city vocational technical schools are invited to apply. The overall theme for the Institute is effective collaboration and coordination of special education services with academic and vocational technical instruction. There are four underlying assumptions that will guide the structure and content of the Institute:
 * Announcing a New Leadership Institute for Vocational Technical Education Leaders**

• Increased collaboration leads to increased vocational technical opportunities for students with disabilities and improved results for all students. • In schools where students with disabilities are doing well, they have access to the same opportunities and curriculum as non-disabled students. • Vocational technical center Superintendents/Directors and other leaders foster a culture of high expectations and shared responsibility and accountability for all students, including students with disabilities. • High expectations, shared responsibility and accountability result in better outcomes for all students.

During this first pilot year, all Special Education Directors in the Massachusetts’ regional, agricultural, collaborative and city vocational technical schools are invited to apply. Up to twelve Special Education Directors will be selected to participate.
 * Eligible Participants**

A two day kick-off session in early October will be followed by one-day follow-up sessions in October, November and December 2011 and May 2012. Leveraging the Institute curriculum and peer sharing, participants will begin to implement a local system change project from January through April 2011 with up to one day of on-site support provided by the Institute Project Directors.
 * Participation Structure**

Because the overall focus of this Institute is collaboration across special education, general education and vocational technical education, it is anticipated that the Special Education Director will bring two other district leaders representing academic and vocational technical instruction to each of the sessions. These three person teams are expected to participate in each day of the Institute. Sessions and participants will include the following:

Day 1: Special Education Director, academic leader and vocational technical leader, plus, on the first day only, the District Superintendent and, for city vocational technical schools, the District Special Education Director. Day 2: Special Education Director, academic leader and vocational technical leader.
 * Two-day Kick-Off Session:**


 * One-day Follow Up Sessions**
 * November 22, 2011 - Transitions**
 * December 16, 2011 - Freshman Academies**
 * January 18, 2012 - District Sharing**
 * May 4, 2012 - Final Projects and Closing**

Institute Project Directors will visit each participating district to provide coaching around the system change project selected by the Special Education Director.
 * On-site Consultation (January – April):**

The Institute is funded through a grant from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Institute sessions, materials, lodging for one night during the kick-off session, and meals for all sessions will be provided at no cost to selected participants. (Participants will be responsible for their own travel costs.) Through full participation in the Institute, Special Education Directors will be eligible to apply for a small grant award designed to provide seed money to initiate a project resulting from participation in the Institute. PDPs will also be awarded and graduate credit will be available through Framingham State University (costs paid by attendee).


 * Institute Overview**


 * Course Requirements**


 * Framingham State University Graduate Course Registration**


 * Acceptance Letter**


 * Participant Contact List:**