KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY

School of Education

On-line Professional Development Center

Presenters:Mrs. Renee Scott

Dr. Beverly DowningMrs. Saundra Birch

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KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY

Comprehensive Land-Grant

Located in Frankfort, KY

Celebrating it 125 Anniversary this Year

Only HBCU in Commonwealth of Kentucky

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Accredited – Reaffirmed in 2010

Diverse Enrollment of 2,600 Students Students:  

 63% African American  30% White  7% Other

Faculty: 28% African American  51% White 41% Other

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KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITYSchool of Education

Offers degrees in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood EducationElementary EducationHealth and Physical EducationBiology EducationEnglish EducationMathematics EducationSocial Studies EducationArt EducationMusic EducationMaster of Arts in Special Education (On-line)

Largest Producer of Minority Teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky at fifty-??? Percent??? Percent of Elementary Education Teachers??? Percent of Health and Physical Education Teachers??? Percent of Special Education Teachers

One of the most Diverse Teacher Education Programs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

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Participating Districts

Anderson County SchoolsFrankfort Independent SchoolsFranklin County SchoolsScott County SchoolsShelby County SchoolsOwenton County SchoolsWoodford County Schools

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The Kentucky State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) awarded for 2007-2012

“Is a collaborative effort to increase student achievement and post-school success for students with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Includes a five-year initiative linked in partnership with numerous agencies throughout the state.”

  http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Exceptional+Children/Kentucky+State+Personnel+Development+Grant/

Background Information

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SPDGFive Targeted Outcomes :

I.   Improve the instructional climate of Kentucky’s schools through a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model.

 II.   Improve postsecondary outcomes for Kentucky’s students with disabilities. III. Build the capacity of Kentucky’s schools to increase academic achievement

for students with low incidence disabilities. IV.  Increase and retain the number of special education teachers

(KSU partnership).

V.  Improve early childhood transition and over representation in early childhood programs.

http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Exceptional+Children/Kentucky+State+Personnel+Development+Grant/

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SPDGTargeted Outcome IV

Teacher Recruitment & Retention Promote instructional equity so experienced teachers, as well as, pre-service

teachers can have a customized program to meet their individual needs and address instructional issues unique to his/her region or teaching assignment.

Objective 1: Increase the number of students in the distance learning the Special Education Program at Kentucky State University

Objective 2: Develop an in-depth professional development program to provide highly trained educators competent in both special education and culturally responsive instruction to close achievement gaps.

Objective 3: To develop an in-depth continuing professional development program for current special education teachers and parent training by using distance learning technologies to deliver these training materials available at all times in an effort to close the achievement gap in special education.

http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Exceptional+Children/Kentucky+State+Personnel+Development+Grant+Proposal-Goals+and+Objectives.htm 8

Graduate Program

Master of Arts in Special Education (K-12) Learning Behavior Disorders

36-45 hours. (33 hrs plus Practicum 3, 6 or 12)TOTALLY ON-LINE

Alternative Certification Program (Option 6)

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Professional Development Center

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Website Development Final touches on Website bring to completion.

Market PD with School Districts and others.

Website Development Beta Test PD Offering & make any adjustments needed.

Launch the On-line PD Center.

JANURARY

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Kentucky State UniversitySchool of Education

Special Education Professional Development

(SPDG)

Needs Assessment Survey

On-Line Professional Development Center

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The Needs Analysis

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Purpose of the Survey

KSU conducted a needs-assessment survey of their partnering P-12 school district coordinators and teachers. The survey was conducted to determine the focus of the SPDG professional development activities. The survey assessed their interest and needs in the following:

• Potential topics/themes • Accessibility• Level of interest in participating in online professional

development activities• Administrator support

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Additional Supporters

District Special Education CoordinatorsDistrict Professional Development

CoordinatorsKentucky Education Professional Standards

BoardKentucky Department of

EducationDistrict Classroom Teachers

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Sample11 District Administrators

108 Special Education and General Education Teachers

Summary of ResultsResults of the surveys suggested challenges for professional

development in the following areas:

Knowledge/SkillsEnvironmental

IncentiveMotivation

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Overview of Results

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Perceived Challenges

• 1. Limited implementation of professional development activities.

• 2. Limited monitoring of professional development activities.Skills/Knowledge

(S)

• 1. Limited funding for professional development opportunities for staff.

• 2. Limited access to technology and resources to participate in online professional development activities.

Environmental(E)

• 1. Too few incentives to participate in professional development beyond state required activities.Incentives

(I)

• 1. Limited expansion of the professional development policy at the district levels.

• 2. Limited time for self-directed professional development activities

•

Motivation(M)

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Many of the survey participants described an ideal situation that would increase their participation in the new

KSU on-line Professional Development Center.

Some participants described their needs for professional development as less than optimal because of lack of

resources and training.

A couple of districts indicated that additional professional development activities were not a priority beyond the State

required activities.

Implications18

Specific Results of Teachers’ Survey

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Top Topics for Professional Development Needs Identified by Teachers

Autism

Behavior Management

Reading, Literacy and Language Arts

Learning Strategies and Differentiated Instruction

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Specific Results of Administrators’ Survey

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Needs in providing quality professional developmentexperiences for your teachers?

Administrators stated that the most common professional development needs in their district include:

Time to participate in activities Funding to increase opportunities for professional development

Implementation and monitoring of professional development activities. Need a model that provides for follow-up at intervals throughout the next 2 years to make a lasting improvement in student achievement

Resources Equipment to participate in online professional development activities Increase training opportunities for staff

Topical Interest: Teaching autistic students

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Work collaborative with district administrators to provide free professional development for district teachers. (E-1&2)

Assist district administrators in seeking funding to secure necessary technology to support online activities. (E-1)

Establish an incentive program for district administrators and teachers to increase their engagement in an online Professional Development Center. (I-1, M-1&2)

Ensure the capability to monitor participants’ professional development activities. (S/K-1 & 2)

Recommendations23

Next Steps

Ensure effective communication of its

professional development activities Work with district teams to

ensure that available professional development are

utilized

Ensure that the professional development activities impact

student learning Monitor involvement, progress, and success of its professional development

activities

Online Professional Development

Center

Next Steps24

THE RESULTS

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Benefits

Free Professional Development (for life of grant)

CertificationDevelopment provided by Authorities in the FieldPortfolio/Credit for Prior Learning OptionGraduate Level Academic CreditDegree Credit (Cluster/Strands)Career Networking and BloggingDemonstration Mini Grant Opportunities

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What to Expect

Facilitated Professional DevelopmentQuality and Relevant Professional

DevelopmentTargeted Usage TrainingDiscussion Boards/ForumsResponsive Technical Support

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Professional Development Resources Used

The IRIS CenterNCLB: Doing What WorksKnowledge Development System

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Mrs. Renee Smith

Ms. Saundra BirchKentucky Department of Education

SOE Technology SpecialistDivision of Next Generation Professionals

Kentucky State University500 Mero Street

School of Education

Frankfort, KY 40601

Frankfort, KY 40601

renee.scott@education.ky.gov

Saundra.birch@kysu.edu (502) 564-44770 Phone

(502) 597-5919 Phone

(502) 597-5917 Fax

Dr. Beverly L. Downing

Kentucky State University

School of Education

400 E. Main Street

Frankfort, KY 40601

Beverly.downing@kysu.edu

(502) 597-5919 Phone

(502) 597-5917 Fax

Http://education.kysu.edu