TIEE Directors Invited to Direct Instruction Conference

The Association for Direct Instruction invited Mary Taylor, Director of the Urban Skills Center, and Hillary Whiteside, Director of Children’s Workshop, to attend a conference in Eugene, Oregon on the use of Direct Instruction (DI) practices and materials with students with autism.

The TIEE Directors met with two eminent research professors of DI practices and outcomes, Tim Slocum, Ph.D., of Utah State University and Cathy Watkins, Ph.D., of California State University Stanislaus, to develop a workshop that would inform behavior analysts and other professionals the ways in which DI programs in the areas of language and reading are uniquely designed to address the needs of the learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

TIEE’s directors provided data on students who have successfully progressed in the DI programs as they have been modified to accommodate the special needs of the students in TIEE schools. A joint presentation is planned for the next California Association of Behavior Analysis (CalABA) Conference in February, 2010.

Urban Skills Center Commended in Recent Site Reviews

Urban Skills Center and the other three schools of The Institute for Effective Education’s (TIEE’s) family of schools were given site visits by two review teams in spring, 2009. One of the teams represented the California State Department of Education (SDE) and their review was conducted as part of a cycle of annual reviews pursuant to SDE certification of TIEE’s schools as Non-Public, Non-Sectarian Schools. Joining the state team was a second team representing San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego County Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), nominally the San Diego County NPS Quality Review Team. The site review process involved an entire week of evaluations of TIEE’s contracts and records; site visits to each school; observations of classroom and school activities; interviews with administrators, staff members, students, and parents; and an extensive exit interview.

The teams expressed many commendations for the quality of TIEE’s schools, some of which were formalized in their written reports, including:

“Commendations go to all TIEE programs for staff support/coaching; high level of teamwork (staff is passionate about their work/profession); positive support for students and staff; classroom behavior management systems; ability to meet social emotional needs; strong program identity; and research-based instruction.”

The CDE report included the following commendations:
“The dedicated and caring staff provides a milieu conducive to student learning and growth.”

“The TIEE physical plants are bright cheerful and clean – a positive contributor to the education process.”

“The operation of the program and the teamwork that exists between the staff appears seamless.”

“Teachers and paraprofessionals work together in a supportive manner within all the programs.”

“The excellent data system promotes student success and provides timely feedback to staff.”

“Smart boards have replaced chalkboards and are a valuable, technologically up-to-date tool for teacher and students.”

“Staff reported feeling valued, supported and passionate about teaching.”

“Several teachers reported leaving TIEE for employment in public schools and later returning (despite pay differential) for the sense of teamwork, training and support they receive at TIEE.”

“There’s a high level of collaboration and teamwork; staff development is a high priority.”

“The curriculum is geared toward the learning needs of the individual student.”

“Students are engaged in learning.”

Urban Skills Center Director Invited to Direct Instruction Conference

The Association for Direct Instruction invited Mary Taylor, Director of the Urban Skills Center, along with Hillary Whiteside, Director of Children’s Workshop, to attend a conference in Eugene, Oregon on the use of Direct Instruction (DI) practices and materials with students with autism.

The TIEE Directors met with two eminent research professors of DI practices and outcomes, Tim Slocum, Ph.D., of Utah State University and Cathy Watkins, Ph.D., of California State University Stanislaus, to develop a workshop that would inform behavior analysts and other professionals the ways in which DI programs in the areas of language and reading are uniquely designed to address the needs of the learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

TIEE’s directors provided data on students with ASD who have successfully progressed in the DI programs as they have been modified to accommodate the special needs of the students in TIEE schools. A joint presentation is planned for the next California Association of Behavior Analysis (CalABA) Conference in February, 2010.

Urban Skills Center Student Award Winner

Yngwie Schmidt earned the Urban Skills Center’s Vocational Education Service Award for the month of October. Yngwie works as a crossing guard at the Cook Education Center and recently began a new food service job with California Catering at La Jolla Country Day School. According to his supervisors, Yngwie is consistently on time, reliable, and highly efficient. He is friendly to both co-workers and peers and demonstrates a positive attitude. He is a hard worker and continues to impress! Congratulations Yngwie!

Michael McLaughlin’s Haunted School

Spooky things were happening the week of October 26th at The Urban Skills Center. The walls mysteriously became draped in black shroud, mist and fog filled the hallways, goblins, ghouls and zombies began attending school and then on Friday, the 30th the ghost of Michael McLaughlin arrived! Mr McLaughlin was a beloved teacher at the Urban Skills Center for many years. He passed away unexpectedly back in 2004.

One of the many fun and wonderful things Mr McLaughlin is remembered for are the wonderful Haunted Houses he created each year in the basement of the Cook Education Center. This year, the students at the Urban Skills Center decided to honor his memory by turning our school into Mr McLaughlin’s Haunted School. The entire project was conceived, designed an executed by our students with the assistance of our staff members. Students from the Cook Education Center’s Foundations and Secondary Programs were invited to tour through our school, which included zombies playing cards, bodies being dragged away by ghouls, spiders crawling across the floor, ghosts jumping out and saying “Boo,” and Mr. Johnson’s Mad Laboratory. After the tour, students from the Cook Education Center’s Secondary Program were invited to join the Urban Skills Center students in a school dance complete with ‘finger food’ refreshments (yes, we were eating fingers). A good time was had by all (including the many zombies)!

Urban Skills Director participates on FACCT Conference Panel

Mary Taylor, the Director of the Urban Skills Center, participated as a panel member at the 4th Annual Families and Communities Caring Together (FACCT) Conference held at the University of San Diego on Saturday, October 24. The FACCT conference is presented each year as a collaborated effort between the COMPASS Family Center and The University of San Diego. The theme of this year’s conference was Navigating Transitions. Ms. Taylor participated on a panel regarding Adult Transition Programs available to students in the San Diego area. Approximately 40 participants including adult students and their family members attended this session.

Urban Skills Center Holds Annual Transition Information Night

We had a successful Transition Information Night and Open House on October 6th. Over 50 parents and students attended this event! Presenters from several adult agencies and the community college district shared information about services available to students once they finish their school program. Agencies included: The Arc of San Diego, CREEL, Employment & Community Options, Department of Rehabilitation, and the San Diego Community College District. Partnerships With Industry and Toward Maximum Independence were unable to attend but provided written material.

The students are just beginning to tour these different agencies. While we specifically encourage all our Junior and Senior students and their families to attend, anyone is welcome to participate. These tours give students and families an opportunity to observe and learn about the options available upon graduation. Students prepare questions ahead of time to make sure they obtain the information they need. We have already toured Partnerships With Industry (PWI) on October 13th and are scheduled to tour Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) on November 10th and The Arc of San Diego on January 12th.

Children’s Workshop Commended in Recent Site Reviews

Children’s Workshop, along with the other schools of The Institute for Effective Education’s (TIEE’s) family of schools were given site visits by two review teams in spring, 2009. One of the teams represented the California State Department of Education (SDE) and their review was conducted as part of a cycle of annual reviews pursuant to SDE certification of TIEE’s schools as Non-Public, Non-Sectarian Schools. Joining the state team was a second team representing San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego County Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), nominally the San Diego County NPS Quality Review Team. The site review process involved an entire week of evaluations of TIEE’s contracts and records; site visits to each school; observations of classroom and school activities; interviews with administrators, staff members, students, and parents; and an extensive exit interview.

The teams expressed many commendations for the quality of TIEE’s schools, some of which were formalized in their written reports, including:

“Commendations go to all TIEE programs for staff support/coaching; high level of teamwork (staff is passionate about their work/profession); positive support for students and staff; classroom behavior management systems; ability to meet social emotional needs; strong program identity; and research-based instruction.”

The CDE report included the following commendations:
“The dedicated and caring staff provides a milieu conducive to student learning and growth.”

“The TIEE physical plants are bright cheerful and clean – a positive contributor to the education process.”

“The operation of the program and the teamwork that exists between the staff appears seamless.”

“Teachers and paraprofessionals work together in a supportive manner within all the programs.”

“The excellent data system promotes student success and provides timely feedback to staff.”

“Smart boards have replaced chalkboards and are a valuable, technologically up-to-date tool for teacher and students.”
“Staff reported feeling valued, supported and passionate about teaching.”

“Several teachers reported leaving TIEE for employment in public schools and later returning (despite pay differential) for the sense of teamwork, training and support they receive at TIEE.”

“There’s a high level of collaboration and teamwork; staff development is a high priority.”

“The curriculum is geared toward the learning needs of the individual student.”

“Students are engaged in learning.”

Never in its 37-year history has Children’s Workshop or any of the other TIEE schools received such a thorough-going evaluation, so we were very pleased to learn of the commendations and to have the certification status of all four of our schools renewed without qualification.

Children’s Workshop Director Trains Teachers in the Philippines

Hillary Whiteside, Director of Children’s Workshop, had a unique opportunity to travel to the Philippines and teach a young boy with autism and his family. This opportunity arose due to her collaboration and mentorship of Jenna Sleichter, a special education teacher in the San Diego Unified School District, who had been consulting with the family for several years.

They assessed the 8-year old’s levels of functioning as well as designed and implemented teaching programs to meet his individual needs. Together they provided intensive training over the course of two weeks to four teachers from Cebu. The training involved modeling, side-by-side coaching, and feedback on their performance.

The family was extremely pleased with the positive outcome for the teachers and most importantly for their son. Already, his growth has permitted him to interact more effectively with his family members and to be more actively involved in their daily routine. Consultation with the family and the boy’s teachers continues to occur via video conferencing.

Children’s Workshop Teachers Attend European ABAI Conference

Special educators from Children’s Workshop (CW), who are enrolled in the Masters in Autism program of San Diego State University’s Department of Special Education, attended the international conference on Applied Behavior Analysis in Oslo, Norway, August 7th-9th, with funding from the Federal grant that supports the SDSU program.

CW teachers Sherry Castenada, Laura Hoge, Christine Daly and Dana Pulde attended panels and workshops ranging from “Early Childhood Intervention in Communication Skills” to “Coaching Mastery and Parent Involvement” with studies presented by teachers and researchers from Australia, England, the Netherlands and Italy. Ms. Castenada reported that “it was great to find that we use the same methods and practice the same ideals as successful educators around the world.”

With a goal of completing their Master’s theses in May, 2010, Ms. Castenada spoke for the group in saying: “We analyzed all the presentations at the conference with an eye for how the research and techniques could be adapted to follow the ABA principles as they are utilized at Children’s Workshop as well as in all of the other schools of The Institute for Effective Education (TIEE).”

With their family members joining them, the four turned the opportunity into a three-week trip, visiting Denmark, France, Norway, Austria, Germany and Spain after the conference concluded. During their travels, they were particularly interested in observing the successful incorporation of people with disabilities into the communities and social structures of the countries they visited.