PaCASE Monthly Update January 2025
Pa Council of Administrators of Special Education
If you are attending the PDE conference please join us for a PaCASE Meet and Greet with our sponsor Global Special Education Associates. The meet and greet will occur on 2/6/2025 at 4:30 in Magnolia C and is open to members and non members. Please RSVP below and enjoy some great conversation, networking, and free food and drinks!!
We need YOU!
We now have two opportunities for you to get involved in PaCASE. We are seeking nominations for our Board of Directors. We are also developing and looking for Regional Leads to represent our committee work across the state. What do the regional leads look like? Learn more below:
- The organization will split the state into three regions: West, East, and Central
- Each region will have its own set of individual representatives (leaders) who are participants in one of our executive committees (Membership, PD, communications, legislative and awards/nominations).
- Each regional leader will serve on the Pa CASE executive committee.
- This framework will provide opportunities for regional leaders to help in supporting the organization along with the President, President-Elect and Past-President.
If you are interested in a role please complete the interest form below. Elections for Executive Board positions will occur later this year and regional lead interest will be reviewed and assigned on a rolling basis as members show interest.
The Policy Committees of CEC and CASE are at the forefront of advocating for funding, staff recruitment and retention, and educational reform. As we embark on a new administration in Washington it is more important now than ever that special education administrators have a strong voice in their respective states and also in Washington.
Students with disabilities need a comprehensive, well-integrated system of supports led by qualified educators – teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, administrators, and paraeducators – who work in partnership with families and the community. CASE supports policies that unite and provide empathic leadership, coupled with sufficient federal funding and resources that lead to success in school and beyond for children and youth with disabilities.
Check out the policy statements for CASE in the link below.
Consider signing up for the CASE Collective occurring in January. This is open to all CASE members and non CASE members so share with colleagues. Join CASE Leadership and Myrna Mandlawitz, CASE Policy and Legislative Consultant, for a discussion of current happenings in Washington, D.C. related to public and special education. Learn how CASE provides a collective voice for leaders of special education and participate in an active Q & A.
Topics will include:- What does a presidential transition look like?
- Is it possible to close the U.S. Department of Education, and what would that mean for IDEA and students with disabilities?
- What can leaders do to be proactive in times of change?
- The US Department of Education is now accepting applications for State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG). This program is designed to help state educational agencies (SEA's) improve their systems for training and professional development in early intervention, education, and transition services, all with the goal of improving outcomes for children with disabilities.
- TIES Center: Peer Engagement-A major part of one’s quality of life is impacted by peer relationships. Connections and engagement with peers open up new opportunities for learning and belonging and fill our need to be a vital and important member of communities. The TIES Center has some great resources to build these skills and connections.
IRIS: Evidence-Based Practices (Part 1 of 3): Identifying & Selecting a Practice or Program: This module, the first in a series of three, discusses the importance of identifying and selecting evidence-based practices (est. completion time: 1.5 hours).
When you have completed the module, be sure to visit parts two and three:
- Evidence-Based Practices (Part 2): Implementing a Practice or Program with Fidelity
- Evidence-Based Practices (Part 3): Evaluating Learner Outcomes and Fidelity
.
Learn more about our PaCASE partner sponsor Global Special Education Associates who provide the below and much more:
- program audits;
- systemic planning facilitation;
- professional learning for all levels of staff;
- special education leadership academy;
- consulting services;
- school safety training;
- EL services/training;
- MTSS plan development;
- science of intervention academic program development.
Check out their website by clicking the link-https://www.bfglobalassociates.com/
Join us at the Meet and Greet at the PDE Conference where you can connect in person with this innovative partner.
PaCASE Board Contact Information
CONTACT:
Dr. Ann Marie Lucas
PaCASE President
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