Special Education - TSS

Planning for Inclusion

Alison Rose — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:43:26 +0000

Inclusion of students with disability requires careful and thoughtful planning. This session will cover why inclusion is important, what inclusion truly is, and how to plan for inclusion using master scheduling, multi-tier system of support and the student study team, and universal design for learning. We will also share important considerations of drivers associated with implementing inclusive practices.

What You’ll learn:

The importance and legal basis of inclusive education, its benefits for all students, and why classrooms should be designed for diverse learners, not an “average” student.

Core elements of inclusion, including overcoming barriers, building inclusive teams, and effective service models like co-teaching and push-in supports.

Strategies for successful implementation, such as master scheduling, professional development, workload management, collaborative planning, and data-driven action plans.

How Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) create flexible, accessible curricula and tiered interventions, supported by inclusive leadership to promote equity and continuous improvement.

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Preventing and Responding to Suicide and Self-Harm

Alison Rose — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 20:29:26 +0000

Today, many young people are struggling with anxiety, isolation, and even thoughts of suicide. In fact, suicide is the #2 cause of death among 15–29-year-old people globally. This training covers topics such as prevention, self- harm, suicide risk assessment, and school response to suicide.

What You’ll learn:

Learn how to identify warning signs and risk factors of suicide and self-harm, and how to conduct or refer for appropriate risk assessments.

Understand how to implement a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and school-wide strategies like PBIS to promote student mental health and safety.

Gain knowledge of crisis response protocols, including how to form and utilize a crisis response team, engage community resources, and support school re-entry after a suicide attempt.

Discover best practices for documentation, postvention strategies, and managing long-term mental health needs—including the impact of social media and anniversaries.

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Tiered Mental Health Supports

Alison Rose — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:29:38 +0000

Students today face more mental health challenges than ever before. This training will discuss how to implement differing levels of supports for students to ensure all needs are met. We will discuss the continuum of behavioral/ social emotional supports within a school, and how schools can implement these supports through thoughtful data collection, evaluation, and proper intervention.

What You’ll learn:

How MTSS uses a tiered approach (Tier 1, 2, and 3) to provide mental health and behavioral supports based on student needs.

How to use universal screeners and data to identify students for intervention and monitor progress across tiers.

How to conduct and follow up on Student Study Team (SST) meetings to evaluate interventions and determine next steps.

How to implement and monitor Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports, including the legal processes for special education and ERMs.

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Conflict Resolution Techniques

Alison Rose — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:01:45 +0000

Conflict is something most of us would rather not encounter. However, if you’re employed in a leadership role with your organization, it may be your responsibility to step in. To keep your workplace safe and your team positive and productive, you must draw upon your leadership skills in conflict resolution.

What You’ll learn:

Learn practical techniques for preventing and managing conflicts through effective communication and active listening.

Understand how to handle disagreements respectfully and navigate emotional conversations with confidence and calm.

Gain tools for facilitating productive meetings, including setting agendas, creating a positive environment, and maintaining neutrality.

Discover strategies for resolving complex conflicts using visual aids, interest-based negotiation, and structured follow-up.

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Restorative Practices and Justice

Alison Rose — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:57:10 +0000

Restorative Practices are based on principles that emphasize the importance of positive relationships as central to building community. Restorative Justice involves processes that restore relationships when harm has occurred. This video will help you understand how to use restorative practices and restorative justice to create community at your school.

What You’ll learn:

The core values, principles, and benefits of restorative practices for building positive relationships and repairing harm in schools and communities.

How to effectively use affective statements and restorative questions to facilitate open, non-judgmental communication and conflict resolution.

How to effectively use affective statements and restorative questions to facilitate open, non-judgmental communication and conflict resolution. The roles and procedures of proactive and responsive circles to build community and address harm through inclusive, respectful dialogue.

The structure and steps of restorative justice meetings and conferences, including pre-conferencing, conducting the conference, and follow-up for accountability and healing.

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Behavior and Discipline: Prevention and Restoration

Alison Rose — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:23:30 +0000

School discipline encompasses the management of classroom and individual student needs by employing comprehensive prevention, focused intervention, and fostering self-discipline. The way schools address discipline significantly influences students’ learning environments. This course explores methods for preventing and addressing inappropriate behaviors in a considerate and educational fashion. Adopting a positive disciplinary approach reallocates attention and resources from implementing punitive measures to the restoration of relationships and community.

What You’ll learn:

Understand student behavior using the ABC model to identify triggers and teach replacement behaviors.

Use proactive strategies—like early choices, emotion labeling, and self-care—to manage agitation and prevent escalation.

Create effective interventions such as behavior contracts, competing pathways, and restorative conversations./

Avoid power struggles by knowing personal triggers, practicing empathy, and promoting positive, relationship-based discipline.

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Continuous Improvement for Administrative Teams

Alison Rose — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:20:30 +0000

Lasting and effective change is complicated, and learners may need a game plan on how to implement new ideas. This training will cover how transformation occurs within organizations, how to plan for lasting and meaningful change, considerations for determining changemaking teams and choosing innovations, action planning, and implementation, data collection, and revision cycles.

What You’ll learn:

The stages of organizational transformation—from exploration and installation to initial and full implementation—and how to navigate challenges like resistance and inertia.

How to use continuous improvement cycles (Plan-Do-Study-Act) to test, evaluate, and refine innovations for lasting impact.

The critical components of effective innovation, including teachability, usability, evidence strength, and cultural responsiveness, to ensure successful adoption in varied school contexts.

Best practices for developing, implementing, and sustaining action plans through clear goal-setting, stakeholder consensus, data monitoring, coaching, and ongoing system improvements.

Features Included:

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Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement SBCOE

Alison Rose — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:28:16 +0000

Students are more likely to be emotionally and intellectually invested in the classes in which they have positive relationships with their teachers. Teachers who build positive relationships with their students may enjoy increased levels of students’ interest in and enjoyment of the class, increased levels of students’ academic achievement, and a decrease in the occurrence of classroom disruptions. This session will cover strategies for managing attention, time, feedback, expectations to improve your student outcomes.

What You’ll learn:

Understand how teacher expectations and positive relationships directly influence student engagement, achievement, and behavior.

Identify and address implicit biases that affect attention, feedback, and interaction with perceived lower-achieving students.

Learn practical strategies to provide equitable thinking time, specific praise, and effective behavioral responses for all students.

Discover ways to foster a growth mindset and set high expectations using tools like anchor charts and carefully formulated questions to support inclusive learning.

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Social Emotional Learning & Mental Wellness Keeping our Kids Safe from the Inside Out

Kelly Bowers — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:48:32 +0000

In this course, you’ll learn about Social-emotional learning (SEL), which involves developing and using social and emotional skills. People with strong social-emotional skills can better handle everyday challenges, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions. SEL is crucial for improving students’ mental well-being by enhancing their self-perception, fostering healthier relationships, and reducing emotional distress and risky behaviors. Integrating SEL into a comprehensive system of mental wellness support, including promotion, prevention, early intervention, and treatment, is important.

What You’ll learn:

How to build proactive, evidence-based social-emotional learning and mental health support systems in schools to create safer, more stable, and trauma-informed environments for students and staff.

Strategies for threat reduction through early intervention, root cause analysis, expanded data use, and technology tools that help identify and address student risks before they escalate.

The critical role of teaching emotional regulation, resilience, growth mindset, and positive behavior reinforcement to foster lifelong social-emotional skills and reduce stigma around mental health.

Best practices for integrating social-emotional learning into school culture and curriculum, including staff support, community collaboration, mental health first aid training, and measuring program impact for continuous improvement.

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Inclusive Education

Jan Hamilton — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:42:57 +0000

The inclusive education presentation provides participants with an understanding of inclusive educational practices. The presentation includes promoting inclusive learning environments that incorporate evidence based teaching practices, differentiated instruction, and universal design for learning. Moreover, the presentation illustrates the importance of inclusive education for students with disabilities and emphasizes practices that foster empathy and understanding for all students in the educational community. Additionally, the inclusive education presentation provides participants with an understanding of educators’ responsibility to ensure students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which includes equal access, American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Finally, the inclusive education presentation expands participants’ personal and professional growth as it relates to inclusive education practices, along with its benefits to students with disabilities they serve.

What You’ll learn:

Understand effective inclusive education practices across early childhood and secondary levels, including co-teaching and push-in models.

Explore the social, emotional, and academic benefits of inclusion for students, staff, and school communities.

Learn strategies for overcoming challenges in inclusion through collaboration, intentional instruction, and professional development.

Recognize the importance of equity, Universal Design for Learning, and legal frameworks in supporting inclusive education.

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Paraeducator Training For Special Education

Alison Rose — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:23:35 +0000

Undoubtedly, some of the most important individuals in the special education system are paraprofessionals. A coherent, well-organized classroom is maintained and your pupils receive the appropriate help when you hire paraprofessionals with the necessary training. The children benefit and the classroom outcomes are evident when the instructor and the paraprofessionals have effective communication and are working toward the same objectives. The paraprofessional training in this course covers topics including behavior, education, classroom management, and more!

What You’ll learn:

Gain a clear understanding of special education laws, students' rights, and inclusive classroom practices

Learn the specific duties, ethical guidelines, and professional boundaries of a paraeducator

Develop skills in managing student behavior through positive reinforcement and consistent strategies

Support instructional activities by adapting materials and fostering student independence in learning tasks

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Special Education Leadership Academy

Alison Rose — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:29:07 +0000

Special Education Leadership Academy

2025 Registration is Now Open!

Class Schedule for 2025

January 24th & 25th
February 7th & 8th
March 7th & 8th
April 4th & 5th
May 2nd & 3rd
September 19th & 20th
October 17th & 18th
November 14th & 15th

Course Description

Now more than ever, there is a great need for well-trained leadership in special education to support teaching and learning. The Special Education Leadership Academy is a comprehensive training and professional development program for administrators supporting special education programs to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of special education. Total School Solutions has designed this academy for current and future administrators and directors who want to develop their leadership skills and broaden their understanding of special education. Potential benefits for the participants include expanding their general skillset, learning about legal, fiscal, and programmatic aspects of special education, networking opportunities, enhancing performance at work, and leadership development.

This course includes direct instruction from experts in the field, individual and group exercises, hands-on activities, and out-of-class assignments/practical applications.

Comprehensive Curriculum

This program emphasizes specific and pragmatic skills that administrators need to know to be able to thrive as special education leaders.

Topics for this Academy Include:

Overview and Introduction to Leadership
Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports
Referrals and Adaptations
Legal and Programmatic Overview
Educational Benefit and Administrative Designee
Special Education Student Populations
Redefining Autism
Implementation and Improvement Science
Authentic Parent Engagement
Discipline for Students with Disabilities
Court Cases and Discipline

State-Specific Topics:

State Monitoring and Data Stewardship
State Complaints and Due Process
Inter and Intra-District Relationships and Contracting
Fiscal Concepts
The Role of Regional and State-Wide Agencies

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance and Participation

Participants are expected to attend and contribute to all sessions and must attend all classes. If an emergency arises, one session may be made-up by writing an academic paper or completing a comprehensive exam on the missed classes’ subject matter pre-approved by the academy coordinator.

Readings

Various readings will be assigned during the academy. Students will analyze readings and participate in group discussions or writing assignments to apply concepts to real-world situations.

Other

Various but limited written assignments, group activity participation, and homework assignments.

Presenters

Alison Rose

The coordinator of this program is TSS Consultant Alison Rose who brings over 20 years of education industry experience and who moderates all sessions to ensure the continuity of the curriculum. She has served as a Director of Student Services and SELPA Administrator as well as being a trained school psychologist and special education teacher. In addition, she teaches courses at the university level.

Cathie Johnson

Cathie Johnson has worked in the field of education for over 35 years, in both general and special education, in large urban school districts. She has worked at the district level and school site level, both elementary and secondary. Cathie’s roles have included teacher, principal, Intervention-Data Coordinator, Least Restrictive Environment Administrator, Professional Development Director, Special Education Director, Administrator for Closing the Achievement Gap, Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator, Restorative Justice Coach and Parent Liaison. In addition, she has taught courses at the university level. She also currently serves as a State Performance Plan- Technical Assistance Facilitator.

Dr. Barbara Wolford

Dr. Barbara Wolford is an educator with almost 30 years of experience in the field of Special Education. Dr. Wolford has 21 years of classroom experience as a self-contained Special Day Class teacher and as a Resource Specialist. Dr. Wolford is currently the Director of Student Services and Special Education of Banning Unified School District. As Director, Barbara has worked collaboratively with a diverse stakeholder group to develop a collaborative teaching model at the secondary level, an autism specific program, and a District Mental Health program. In 2016-2017 school year, she earned the honored distinction of being the district’s certificated Administrator of the year. Dr. Wolford’s expertise in the areas of Special Education and school climate have earned the district several grant awards for the State Preschool Program, State Inclusion Program, and a grant “Learning Communities Student Support Program” which focuses on chronic absenteeism. The district has been awarded Model SARB distinction for 2016 and 2019. Additionally, the work her department has led in the area of PBIS has led to five schools being honored with bronze, silver and gold PBIS awards from the State of California PBIS Coalition.

Dr. Caryl Miller

Dr. Caryl Miller is a well-known special education leader with 40 years of experience. As a recently retired assistant superintendent for a large school district in southern California, Dr. Miller was responsible for: special education; health services; centralized student enrollment; pupil personnel; and child welfare and attendance. For 18 years, as Executive Director, Dr. Miller managed the largest multi-district SELPA in the state – with 21 local educational agencies (LEA) in Riverside County, 30,000 special education students, and a $200 million budget. In Orange County, Dr. Miller served in different capacities over a decade as a county office special education coordinator and a SELPA program specialist. Prior to administrative work, Dr. Miller taught at both middle and high school levels in English, reading, and special education for students with mild to severe disabilities. Dr. Miller has also presented countless regional and statewide workshops on special education topics and issues.

Bridget Akers

Bridget has over 30 years of experience at both the school site and district office level. She is currently employed as the Accountant for Riverside County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). She has worked in food services, accounts payable and receivable, special education accounting, budgeting, and finance. In her current position, she is the fiscal support for the SELPA and 25 SELPA member-LEAs, overseeing a budget of over $200 million. She conducts fiscal trainings and workshops and provides CALPADS and SEIS support for the SELPA and member-LEAs, working to ensure both fiscal and program compliance. As a consultant, Bridget works collaboratively with other education leaders on special education studies, providing fiscal and data analysis. She also works with local education agencies (LEAs) providing technical assistance in special education data review. Bridget also presents at workshops and trainings throughout the state in the areas of special education funding, program compliance, and data review.

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