The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will offer the Leadership in Effective and Developmentally-appropriate Services (LEADS) Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program Administrator Fall 2019 Institute. This one-day Institute will be November 14, 2019, in Charlottesville, Virginia from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The purpose is to deliver targeted technical assistance to school division leaders who act as the program administrator for ECSE programs for preschool children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Since each division is different, this may include directors, coordinators, specialists, lead teachers, or others serving in this capacity.

The LEADS-ECSE Program Administrator Fall Institute will focus on:

• Considerations for Special Education Service Delivery of Two-Year Old Children in Part B
  • Virginia is the only state that serves two-year old children in Part B. Providing an appropriate education to these young children requires special considerations regarding services and placement to ensure they are based on the child’s unique developmental needs. During the Institute, participants will learn about developmentally appropriate programs and considerations for providing a continuum of appropriate placement opportunities.
• Best Practices for Assessment of Young Children
  • When a child is evaluated to determine the existence of a disability, it is critical for teams to use appropriate assessment practices to determine the child's abilities and educational needs. Best practices for the assessment of young children include carefully selected informal and formal strategies that measure specific characteristics over several designated periods of time and in different contexts. Participants will learn about best practices in assessing young children who may be eligible for special education and related services to ensure the team can make an informed decision.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear other divisions present about their service delivery and assessment practices, engage in discussions, and problem solve together.

The VDOE will assume the cost of registration, breakfast, lunch and parking. Lodging (single rooms only) for November 13, 2019 may be provided for those who live more than 50 miles from the conference center. If you need lodging, please register and book your room before Oct. 7th.

Space is limited and school divisions are to register only one participant. Depending on the availability of space, it may be possible for additional participants to attend. Please designate one individual as your guaranteed participant from the division and have him/her complete the online registration form. Provide the name, email address, and phone number of any additional participant to be placed on the wait-list. Registration for additional participants will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until all participant spaces are filled.

Divisions are strongly encouraged to identify the individual who has primary responsibility for ECSE programs to attend this and future LEADS events.