Transcript Collaboration

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU)
and the Elementary and Middle
Schools Technical Assistance Center
(EMSTAC) Present:
Improving Outcomes for
Students with Disabilities:
Collaborating to Provide
Research-Based Practices
in Classrooms
Collaboration
A Group Definition
Collaboration
Characterized by:
mutual respect
trust
open communication
pooling of personal resources and expertise
joint ownership
The Allegheny Intermediate
Unit
Our Mission
The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an
educational service agency and regional
partner providing customized programs and
services to advance the quality of life for all
learners.
The Allegheny Intermediate
Unit
Our Vision
The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an
educational service agency dedicated to
success for all learners. We champion best
practices and innovative approaches in
teaching and learning. Through partnerships
and collaborative leadership, we enhance the
capacity of schools and communities to
support all children and families.
The Allegheny Intermediate
Unit
Our Home
Forty-two school districts in Allegheny
County, PA
Range of Services
The EMSTAC Team
Barbara Acosta Keith Berman Brad Carl Shirley Cole
Miriam Gerver
Christina Diamond
Jim Hamilton Tony Johnson Lydia Killos Jessica Margolin
Maury McInerney Eric Mesmer Laurel Nishi Christine Paulsen Suzanne Ritter
Kristin Ruedel Jessica Saunders Amanda Schwartz Muna Shami Michael Smith
Caroline Sunshine Judy Wald Charity Welch
Martha Young Aashti Zaidi
Darren Woodruff
Elementary and Middle Schools
Technical Assistance Center
EMSTAC’s mission is to
develop a
comprehensive
approach to technical
assistance that can be
used nationwide to
improve results for
children with disabilities
EMSTAC
Elementary & Middle Schools
Technical Assistance Center
Technical Assistance (TA)
 Involves helping local school
districts build their capacity to
improve educational services &
outcomes for children with
disabilities and their families.
 Some examples of EMSTAC TA
efforts include
school-wide behavioral interventions
reading instruction
inclusion of special needs students
into general education programs
disproportionate representation of
minorities in special education
A Variety of Support for
Schools
Technical Assistance Liaisons
Local Linking Agents
Products that are research-based
National network of educators and
resources (e.g. CASE, CCSSO, MPRRC)
www.emstac.org
Technical Assistance
Liaisons (TA Liaisons)
 TA Liaisons are AIU and
EMSTAC staff who work
with the Linking Agent
to support his/her role.
 TA Liaisons consult with
Linking Agents, provide
guidance and problemsolving assistance, and
connect Linking Agents
to research.
Linking Agents
 “Linking Agent” is a term to
describe individuals in
school systems that
promote school
improvement by helping
districts implement
research-based practices.
 Linking Agents are
problem-solvers,
connectors to research,
and facilitators of change in
their school district.
How Does the Change
Process Fit In?
As interventions are
brought into schools,
change will occur.
If Linking Agents
understand the
process of change
and can help the
school district work
through change, they
are more likely to be
successful.
The Collaboration
(or, How AIU and EMSTAC Met)
CEC Conference 1999
Complementary Missions
Getting the Ball Rolling
Visiting AIU
Recruiting school districts
Moving the process along
AIU-EMSTAC
Collaboration Model
National-Level
Resources and
Networking
State-Level
Resources and
Networking
EMSTAC
(Technical Assistance Liaison)
School District
A (Linking
Agent)
AIU
(Technical Assistance Liaison)
School District
B (Linking
Agent)
School District
C (Linking
Agent)
Benefits of the Partnership
Increased network opportunities
Additional resources for districts
Recognition for the Intermediate Unit
Research based practices
Improved outcomes for students
Challenges
Administrative Support
Internal governance issues
District demographics and characteristics
The role of the Linking Agent
Distinction between AIU and EMSTAC
What’s Next?
Retaining School Districts
Projections for school districts with which we
are currently working
Utilizing videoconferencing capabilities
Extending Collaboration
Recruiting More School Districts
Wrap Up
Discussion,
questions, and
feedback
Thank you!