LEADS Fall Institute 2019 Recap

The LEADS Fall Institute, held in Charlottesville, VA on November 14, had over 150 in attendance to hear about the State Department of Education's recommended quality improvements in early childhood and to learn more about best practices for assessment of young children. Participants heard from Jenna Conway (Chief School Readiness Officer, Commonwealth of Virginia) and Dawn Hendricks (Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator, VDOE) about High Quality Childhood Education Updates in Virginia. Marie Ireland (Speech-Language Impairment and Eligibility Specialist, VDOE), presented on Virginia’s eligibility criteria and the use of effective and appropriate assessment practices for young children. This discussion continued with representatives from Virginia school divisions (Prince William, Virginia Beach, and Charlottesville) presenting their use of authentic and dynamic assessments in eligibility and service delivery models for two year olds (Warren).In the afternoon, divisions had the opportunity to engage in discussions with other systems and problem solve together. If interested in the diagnostic classroom, Virginia Beach County invites you to attend an Open House event (1:00-2:00 pm on January 2, February 4, March 12, and April 28). If you continue to have any questions, please contact your Region's Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance Center. Our next LEADS Institute will be in Spring 2020!