Registrations open for virtual education conference

Educators in Kent ISD districts are invited to participate in a virtual conference on June 9.

The LAUNCH! Lite conference is designed specifically for educators to explore research, tips and strategies to improve outcomes for students with disabilities from birth to age 26. The conference will include sessions around the following topics:

• Navigating Challenging Behavior
• Supporting Students with Complex Needs
• Using Data and the IEP to Inform Instruction
• Digging into Specially Designed Instruction
• Conducting Quality Evaluations

The sessions are for administrators, teachers, support staff and other related services personnel in both special education and general education. Participants can earn up to 41 hours of professional development credit through SCECH and SSW CEs by attending live sessions and by watching recorded sessions through June 30.

Registration is open on the Kent ISD PD Hub and is free for educators in the Kent ISD Service Area. Participants will need to create a free account on Pheedloop to view and select the sessions by June 4. 

Session Descriptions

Behavior

• Balancing Boundaries & Compassion: Assent-Based Strategies for Supporting Students with High Behavior Support Needs - Holding High Expectations While Honoring Student Voices
• Empowering Students with High Behavior Support Needs: A Progressive Approach to Skill Development
• From Crisis to Connection: Local Wins with Ukeru's Trauma-Informed Approach
• Mi-BTAM in Action: Threat Assessment, PBSPs, IEPs, and Intervention Plans –How Do We Connect the Dots?
• The Brain Behind Behavior: Understanding Trauma’s Impact
• To Function and Beyond: Revolutionizing Behavior Assessment for Maximum Impact
• You're Taking Too Much Data (Part 1): Let's Make it Simple
• You Were Taking Too Much Data (Part 2): Now Make It Meaningful

Communication

• AAC Highway: Road to Inclusion

Discipline

• Debunking the Top 10 Myths in Discipline for Students with Disabilities

Early Childhood

• Building Success: Applying Pyramid Model Practices in ECSE Program Classrooms
• Enhancing Communication in Preschool Aged Students Using Visual Supports
• Key Elements of High-Quality Inclusive Preschool Environments
• Strengthening Early Childhood Special Education Evaluations: Practical Strategies for Meaningful IEP Decisions

Engagement

• Neuro-Aligned Classroom Design Part 1 - Beware of the Ham: Rethinking What We Think WeKnow About Special Educations
• Neuro-Aligned Classroom Design Part 2 - Designing Backward, Teaching Forward:Identifying Barriers and Selecting Learning Targets for Neurodivergent Learners
• Neuro-Aligned Classroom Design Part 3 - What’s Under the Hood? Essential Elements of Neuro-Affirming Classroom Design
• Neuro-Aligned Classroom Design Part 4 - Redesigning Classroom Routines: Using Values and the Essential Elements to Go From Automatic to Intentional
• The Importance of Meaningful Parent Engagement

Evaluation

• Assessing Adverse Impact: Determining Initial and Ongoing Special EducationEligibility, and Deciding Between Supplementary Aids and Direct Services

IEP Development

• Streamlining Special Education with AI: Increasing efficiency in PLAAFPs, Evaluations, and Communication

Least Restrictive Environment

• IEP Facilitation: Ensuring a Positive and Equitable IEP Experience
• When Plans Work Together: Aligning IEPs and PBSPs to Support LRE

Mental Health

• Action Over Avoidance: Core Principles for Treating Anxiety

Nursing

• Beyond Band-Aids: How School Nurses Support Student Health & Success
• Nursing the Team to Success: The Role of School Nurses in Child Find and IEP Team Meetings

Special Populations

• Designing Strength-Based IEPs and Effective Accommodations for English Learners

Specially Designed Instruction

• Empowering Effective Decision-Making for Specially Designed Instruction within the LRE Framework
• Equitable & Inclusive IEPs for Students with High Support Needs
• From Sentences to Success: Writing Instruction That Drives Student Growth
• Making Progress Monitoring Easy: A Focus on Goal “Conditions”

Transition

• Beyond the Paperwork: Crafting Meaningful IEP Transition Activities for Real-WorldSuccess!
• Maximizing Impact: Ensuring Educational Benefit in IEP Transition Plans!
• Think Beyond the Diploma: Unlocking Creative Pathways Through Early Transition Planning!