HOUGHTON - Parents and education professionals will have an opportunity to learn more about the educational challenges and opportunities for special education students at an upcoming conference.
On Saturday morning, the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service and the Arc Michigan/Michigan Alliance for Families, in cooperation with Michigan Special Education Mediation Program and Michigan Parent Training and Information Center, will host a special education conference at the Alumni Lounge in the Memorial Union Building on the Michigan Technological University campus geared toward parents and professionals.
"Participants will acquire knowledge and skills to gain better outcomes for children and young adults with disabilities," Regional Parent Mentor for ARC Michigan/MAF Houghton Region Liz Leach said. "A broader knowledge of resources available to families and those who provide services will be shared."
The group will start by getting a complete overview of the special education program within the state of Michigan. That presentation will be made by members of MPAS, and will run from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Mark McWilliams, attorney for MPAS, will be the main speaker. He will help participants understand special education law and how to find and apply information about the rights and services available.
Participants will break for lunch at 11:45 a.m. After lunch, they will separate into breakout sessions at 12:30 and 1:45 p.m. Participants will choose the sessions they would like to do during morning registration.
There will be seven different sessions available. Topics include effective communication and the Individualized Educational Program, educational evaluations and assessments, identifying needs and issues in IEP, assistive technology in special education, Michigan Merit Curriculum and how it relates to special education, discipline and prevention - keeping students in school through positive behavior supports.
The breakout sessions will end at 3 p.m.
Parents are also invited for a bonus session that will be hosted by MAF. The session will run from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and will guide parents through the MAF program and invite them to participate in volunteer opportunities throughout the community.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the fee for the conference is $10. Registration will include handouts from the sponsoring groups, the sessions and lunch.
Similar conferences will be held in Ironwood and Marquette later in the year, but Leach said the offering in Houghton is top notch, "the level and variety of material offered Saturday can't be beat."
Parents will come away from the session with lots of helpful information, she said.
"The more parents (of kids with disabilities) that understand the special education process, the more likely they are to stay involved, promote high expectations, help shape better life outcomes (for their children), as well as keeping them included in school and community life as a whole," she said. "Topics addressed at the training will give parents a knowledge base to more effectively participate in events related to their child's school achievement."
For more information or to register, call the the MPAS U.P. Office in Marquette at 866-928-5910, or e-mail jlindst@mpas.org.
Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.