Jack M. Fletcher, Ph.D.
The Neurological Basis For Response To Instruction

11:00am	MORNING SESSIONS A-H
	A. It's Never Too Late to Discover Dyslexia Speaker: Judith R. Birsh, Ed. D., Educational Consultant/Author All too often, the topic of dyslexia is paired with the learning and development of children. But dyslexia can create a lifelong struggle for adults, even seniors, who go undiagnosed. Learn how the diagnosis and remediation of dyslexia at age 74 can bring joy and relief for the learner! Chair: Judith Taylor Dunn, M.S., Director of Educational Services for the Center for Literacy, Philadelphia B. Literature Links: Alphabet and Phonological Awareness Speaker: Judie Caroleo, Reading ASSIST Institute This presentation will explore the use of popular children's literature to reinforce alphabet and phonological awareness instruction. Research supporting the efficacy of direct, explicit instruction will be given. Comprehensive lesson plans including numerous multisensory support activities will be provided. Chair: Jeanie Burnett, Ed.D., President of the Association for Childhood Education International and Professor of Elementary Education at Kutztown University. C. Assessing and Using Assistive Technologies Speaker: William L. Keeney, Ph.D., and Robert M. Sabolcik, M. Ed., Delaware Valley Friends This provides an overview of adaptive and assistive technologies for reading and writing. It introduces the main technological tools, discusses how to evaluate their usefulness, and discusses some of the promise of, problems with, and solutions to their use. Chair: Mary Budzilowicz, M.Ed., Coordinator, Education Resource Center, Cabrini College. D. Discovery Learning in Multisensory Reading Speaker: Sara Rivers, M.A., Stratford Friends Many students struggle with basic reading and spelling skills and need some form of phonics instruction. This can be boring if it is worksheet based. By using Discovery Learning, teachers will guide students to new concepts such as syllable types or the spelling of a specific sound. Help your class become intellectually engaged and curious about the patterns of language and words. Chair: Diane Gonslaves, Supervisor of Special Education, Penn-Delco School District. E. PAR-Assessment for K-3 Speaker: Frank Wood, Ph.D., Wake Forest School of Medicine After a review of existing algorithms for predicting reading problems, evidence will be presented to show what cognitive domains need to be assessed in order to achieve accurate predictions. Notably, vocabulary and fluency are necessary, as well as phonemic awareness. Field kits for predicting and monitoring responses to instruction will be presented. Chair: Lillian Finley, Coordinator of Elementary Special Programs, Haverford School District. F. Multisensory Math Magic Speaker: Beth Franks, B.S., Lower School Math Chair, Jemicy School AMultisensory activities and the use of games can increase the likelihood that information presented in math will be remembered and applied. This workshop will help you find creative ways to adapt activities and games to the specific needs of your student. Chair: Barbara Carr, Professional Education Coordinator, K-12, William Penn School District. G. Multi-tiered Reading Instruction: Preventing and Identifying Reading Disabilities Speaker: Jack M. Fletcher, Ph.D., University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center and Center for Academic and Reading Skills Recent research highlights the value of layered interventions for preventing reading disabilities. Children who do not respond to multiple tiered interventions may have a significant disability and need intense, specialized instruction. Chair: Margie Linn, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Special Education at Widener University. H. Effective Writing Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities Speaker: Charles A. MacArthur, Ph.D., University of Delaware Recent emphasis on large-scale assessments has heightened concerns about the writing ability of students, particularly those with learning disabilities. Strategy instruction is a research-proven means for improving students' writing by helping them learn strategies for planning, organizing, and revising. This workshop will cover a range of strategies with a brief teaching demonstration and discussion of classroom application. Chair: Pam Cook, M.Ed., Educational Advocate and Consultant, ABC Consulting Services; Regional IDA Board Member, Pittsburgh.
1:45pm	AFTERNOON SESSIONS I-P
	I. Overcoming the Obvious and Hidden Challenges of ADHD and Dyslexia Speaker: Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D., Psychologist, Private Practice Rich in 'real world' examples, this presentation provides concrete strategies and solutions. The focus will be on meeting the challenges of ADHD and Dyslexia. These include avoidance and self-defeating behaviors, motivational concerns, social difficulties, self-esteem issues, and family conflicts and tensions. Chair: Maximilian Muenke, M.D., Chief, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health. J. Lesson Planning is at the Heart of Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) Speaker: Judith R. Birsh, Ed. D., Educational Consultant/Author This presentation will discuss the rationale and the growing research that support Multisensory Structured Language Education for at risk students. A critical success factor in this process is the development of structured lesson plans which help teachers respond to the needs of their students. Chair: Kathleen Wirth, Ed.D., Literacy Coach, School District of Philadelphia. K. Oral Language and Its Base for Reading Speaker: Regina Cicci, Ph.D., University of Maryland Medical Center This presentation will discuss how oral language deficits and strengths relate to learning to read and reading to learn. Specific teaching suggestions will be offered. Chair: Deborah Frazier, Ph.D., School Psychologist, Lower Merion School District. L. Best Practices in Foreign Language Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities Speaker: Linda Hecker, M.Ed., National Institute at Landmark College Foreign language study has been deemed so difficult for students with learning disabilities that many schools grant waivers from meeting this requirement. However, recent research and practice demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that students with LD and/or AD/HD can be successful when the appropriate instructional techniques are used to design and deliver the foreign language program. This presentation explores best practices for re-tooling foreign language study for students-at-risk. Chair: Joy Brown, M.A., Chair of Language Department, Radnor Middle School. M. From Hurdles to Hope: Talking Textbooks Liberate Learning and Student Potential Speaker: Ginger Murphy, MS. Ed., Philadelphia Unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic An introduction to and demonstration of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic's digitally recorded textbooks and specialized book players. CD players and software give students accessibility to textbook content with enhanced digital audio book features; instant access to specific page and book sections; volume/speed control; and book marks. Resources on use of digital books in a variety of educational and home settings will be included in this session. Chair: Candace Bedrock, M.A., LDT/C, Director, Masonic Learning Center for Children, Wilmington. N. Mathematics for Elementary School Students: Skills for the Classroom and for Life Speaker: Anne Hummer, Ph.D., Child Study Institute at Bryn Mawr College This session will highlight topics important for school success in mathematics. Teaching techniques, materials, and sources of information will be included. Chair: Christopher Harris, Executive Director, The Janus School. O. An Overview of DIBELS (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Reading Skills) Speaker: Renay Boyce, M.Ed. and Joyce Dukes, M.S., M. Phil., School District of Philadelphia Office of Specialized Services This presentation will briefly describe the components of the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Reading Skills) assessment and will also review the DIBELS data and its uses to inform instruction. Chair: Deborah Greenfield-Delauro, M.Ed., J.D., Assistant General Council for The School District of Philadelphia P. When to Call an Attorney and How it Can Help Speaker: David Thalheimer, J.D., David Thalheimer and Associates The special educational system is based on legislative mandates and regulations. Sometimes, specialized legal advice is needed to navigate the system. Chair: Christine Jaskulski, M.A., Private Educational Advocate.

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Candace Bedrock, M.A., LDT/C, Director, Masonic Learning Center for Children, Wilmington

Recipient of the Janet L. Hoopes Award for 2003
Adele Gerber