The Region 6 Support Team and Region 1 State Support Team as well as the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) are collaborating to sponsor an Assistive Technology Vendor Fair on April 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Civic & Convention Center in Lima, Ohio. The vendor fair will consist of both a vendor display exhibit hall and classrooms for sessions showcasing assistive technology products and/or services. The focus of the vendor fair is to give schools the information they need to implement solutions to increasing achievement for students with disabilities. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of companies that market technology solutions that enable access to the curriculum. The classroom sessions will be targeted at demonstrating how implementing Assistive Technology solutions can work to increase Adequate Yearly Progress of students with disabilities. School district administrators, teachers, special service providers, and support staff are all invited to attend. There is no cost and lunch will be provided. Eliminating the barriers to learning posed by a disability is the first step in closing the Achievement Gap for students with disabilities. The Assistive Technology Vendor Fair will give participants the chance to attend hands-on product demonstrations. See how products for individuals and entire classrooms can increase engagement and improve achievement.

Please register on STARS .

Dr. Robert Lynn Canady, a nationally recognized expert on school scheduling and teaching practices, will facilitate two Scheduling Academies at the Region 6 State Support Team Office. The first academy, targeted toward elementary schools, is slated for April 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The second academy for middle and high school teams is on April 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dr. Canady, Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia, has worked extensively in restructuring schools through various types of scheduling and instructional strategies. Dr. Canady is a consultant with School Scheduling Associates .

The objectives of both academies is to acquaint participants with current research about schedules, develop and sharpen skills for building master schedules based on school improvement goals, provide direct facilitation and coaching assistance to administrators in building efficient master schedules, and create a network for teams to continue to work together to share best practices in terms of using data to build, maintain, and alter master schedules.

The Region 6 State Support Team is inviting individuals and teams to attend this professional development opportunity focused on creating effective building and district schedules. Creating collaborative planning and intervention/enrichment time hinges on scheduling both at the district and building levels. A major focus area will be “how to” schedule for efficient and effective instruction, intervention, and enrichment.

For more detailed information, download a workshop brochure. Please register on STARS.

Full grant funding is available for online professional development created by e-Read Ohio and funded by the Ohio Department of Education. The courses are designed to improve classroom instruction at the elementary and secondary school level. All e-Read Ohio courses focus on deepening teachers' content area literacy knowledge and pedagogical skills. e-Read Ohio courses engage teachers and principals grades preK - 12 in professional learning that is standards-focused, intellectually rigorous and can be embedded in the school day.The number of grants awarded is limited, and the grant dollars must be used to cover materials and site licenses. Applications will be accepted through March 2010. Grants will be awarded to districts as applications that meet the guidelines are received.

Eligibility for the grant is limited to school districts in Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, and Shelby Counties. The maximum size per class is 30 participants. At least 50% of the participants must work with students with special needs in general education or special education classrooms.

For more information on the grant process contact Marlene Graf at 800-686-2945 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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