PD Committee

Deb Bennett, Tammy Berger, Randi Black, Gale and I met last week to discuss 2011-12 professional development plans for our department and how those plans relate to the agency goals. A summary of our priority recommendation follows:

AEA direct service providers that serve 0-3, 3-5, or 0-5 as part of their caseload, along with LEA ECSE teachers responsible for IEPs, and triad/dyad members responsible for assisting ECSE preschool teachers with IEP decision making attend 2 days of training on the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children (AEPS). AEPS is more than an assessment/evaluation measure and more than a curriculum. It is a comprehensive system that ties together assessment, goal development, intervention and ongoing monitoring and evaluation to formulate appropriate IFSP/IEP outcomes/goals. The group recommended that the training be set up for licensure renewal credit and be offered in the fall of 2011.

Using a team approach to training will eliminate the redundancy and inconsistency that often occur when professionals complete separate assessments as well as reduce confusion for families. Cross disciplinary discussions result in mutual learning by team members and encourages ongoing team collaboration - getting all team members on the "same page."

We value INPUT into this draft plan. Please feel free to contact one or any of the above members to make our plan even better!