The Federation for Children with Special Needs invites school district Special Education Administrators and special education parent leaders to form a team and join us at our May 2010 Advancing Parent-Professional Leadership in Education (A.P.P.L.E.) Institute. The A.P.P.L.E. Institute, sponsored by the Federation with support from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, is a collaborative training opportunity with the goal of enhancing parent involvement and productive parent-district partnerships. In the past five years, A.P.P.L.E. has brought together 30 Massachusetts school district administrator-parent teams in an atmosphere of trust to create mutually beneficial action plans for parent involvement through special education parent advisory councils (PACs).

The next Institute is scheduled for:

The Institute can accommodate up to 6 Leadership Teams which ideally include 4-5 parent leaders along with the Administrator of Special Education from each School District. The teams participate in training activities that focus on diversity, reciprocal outreach, facilitation and communication methods, personal leadership styles, and the development of team plans for implementing a strategy for parent involvement “back home.” In their evaluations, past team members have consistently written of the positive aspects of their time together, despite the intensity and hard work involved. Federation staff will be assigned to support each team during the Institute and continue to work with teams afterwards, providing technical assistance as they take on the responsibility of carrying out their Team Action Plan.

Our May 2010 A.P.P.L.E. Institute will be facilitated by Kathleen Osta of Vital Clarity, Asheville, North Carolina, who has worked with us on all previous A.P.P.L.E. Institutes. She specializes in designing and facilitating highly participatory planning processes that help organizations strengthen their ability to function productively, in teams or work groups, and make the most of their changes.

Each team will consist of five to six members: Four or five parents who are or have recently served as “PAC parents”, and one professional member to be selected by the Special Education Administrator. Experience has taught us it is most effective when the Administrator themselves participates in this experience. In addition, we have found that it is very beneficial if the membership of each team include at least one member from an underserved cultural or ethnic group, if possible. All team members must be able to commit to full participation for the entire two and a half day event.

Participants should plan to arrive at the Holiday Inn in Dedham by 8am on Wednesday and Thursday mornings for an 8:30am start and stay until 5pm. On Friday we will also begin at 8:30am and conclude by 3 pm. Some participants may wish to stay over at the hotel. If so, that will be the responsibility of the team and/or school district to cover any related costs. The Institute will provide for the cost of the setting, facilitator, materials and meals on site. Travel reimbursement should be provided by the school district or PAC.

Finally, we ask that each team commit to supporting or implementing a related event or activity to support parent outreach and involvement “back home” within the next six to nine months after the Institute.

In order to participate, (1) form your team, and (2) complete the application form and submit it with your letter of commitment.

Deadline for submission is March 15, 2010. Timely submission of the application materials is crucial, since space is limited and we can accept only up to six teams this year.

Please return your district’s completed letter of commitment and application by March 15th to: Marilyn Gutierrez-Wilson
Federation for Children with Special Needs
1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420
Boston, MA 02120
Phone: 617-236-7210 ext. 351
Fax: 617-572-2094

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your Leadership Team’s participation, please don’t hesitate to contact:
Rich Robison,
Barbara Popper, or
Marilyn Gutierrez-Wilson.

We are grateful to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education Policy and Planning for funding this opportunity.