Presenter: Hope Worsham, DESE

8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.

Session Description TBD

Presenter: Dr.George Galindo

10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenter: Ben Janelle, APSRC Director of Technology

11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

Session Description TBD.

1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Presenter: Jenni Donohoo, Author of Collective Efficacy

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Kelly Davis and Sandy Crawley, from Arkansas Behavioral Support Specialists

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

Session Description TBD

Presenter: Amanda Musick, from Arkansas Aware

9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

Based on the work of Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, this session will walk educators through what trauma-invested teachers do and how a trauma-invested classroom functions. Educators will develop a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on young children, how the impact can shape young people as they develop into adults, and how those impacts can impede a child’s ability to learn over the course of their development.

Presenter: Sally Stuart, APSRC

10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

This workshop will define characteristics of giftedness as well as provide strategies for designing lessons to meet the gifted learner’s needs.

Presenter: MaryAnn Caldwell, from Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

12:50 - 1:50 P.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Julie Amstutz from DESE

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

Participants will revisit the essential components of writing clear, measurable, and meaningful IEP goals. Educators will learn how to develop goals that not only meet compliance requirements but also support real student growth. Participants will leave with practical strategies for aligning goals with identified needs and ensuring progress is both trackable and purposeful.

Presenters: Julie Amstutz from DESE

2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Participants will revisit the foundational components of writing effective Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements. Emphasizing both academic and functional performance, this session will highlight the critical role of the PLAAFP in telling each student’s unique story. Attendees will learn how to craft purposeful PLAAFPs that clearly identify strengths and needs, setting the stage for meaningful, individualized goals and objectives. Whether you're new to writing IEPs or looking to refine your practice, this session will reinforce the importance of letting the student’s current performance guide the path forward.

Presenter: Aida Kuettle, ABICE Credentialed Interpreter

2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenter: Kelli Gordon, Director of Special Education at Conway Public Schools

9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

In this session, participants will explore effective scheduling practices that support inclusive education in both elementary and secondary school settings. We'll examine how to align special education services with general education instruction to promote access, participation, and progress for all students. Topics include collaborative planning, co-teaching, push-in vs. pull-out models, and maximizing instructional time while meeting IEP service minutes. Educators will learn practical tools and strategies for creating schedules that prioritize student needs, support staff collaboration, and foster a culture of inclusion.

Presenter: Sandra Doggett from APSRC

10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

This presentation covers how and when dyslexia can be documented in the IEP, including key components adn implementation strategies to support student learning.

Presenters: Carrie Acrey and Maria Touchstone from DESE

12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

Join APSRC's Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey to dive into the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) to gain a deeper understanding of this amazing resource. Come ready to learn what PLDs are and the impact this resource can have on your instructional practices. 

Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

In this session, Cheryl and Stefanie will continue to focus on using PLDs to drive instruction. This session will take the conversation a step further to focus on how Performance Level Descriptors can help teachers create questions of differing Depth of Knowledge (DOK), while remaining within grade-level standards.

Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

In our 3rd session focusing on the power of the PLDs, we will dive into how this resource can be used for instructional alignment. With a continued focus on teachers providing grade-level instruction for ALL students, performance level descriptors can make a teacher's job a little easier by framing each standard and what a student must be able to accomplish to perform at a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or a Level 4 understanding of grade level material.

Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC

12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.

In this session, APSRC's Co-Director of Teaching & Learning, Caroline Nail, will join Cheryl Blue to discuss how the PLDs can be used to support the creation of standards-aligned Common Formative Assessments (CFAs). CFAs are used to drive instruction all across the state of Arkansas. Join this session to learn how we can make sure that data is consistently aligned to standards and how we can utilize that data to truly grow ALL students. 

Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC

2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

In the final session on PLDs, Cheryl and Caroline will discuss how this tool simplifies performance-based grading. The tool can help individual teachers, teacher teams, and entire campuses align their instructional expectations. This will increase the ability of students, parents, and educators to be on the same page and work together to ensure all students can meet grade-level expectations. 

Presenters: Katie Chacon and Anne Holder from ADE

8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Jessica Wright and Kim Bowerman from APSRC

10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

Join us to discuss motivational and instructional strategies on how to move secondary students out of the Level 1 range on ATLAS.

Presenters: Katie Chacon & Stephanie Johnson-Carlton from ADE

12:50 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Caroline Nail and Sandra Doggett from APSRC

8:30 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

Session Description TBD.

Presenters: Annette Neely and Tally Harp from APSRC

10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

Participants will explore various strategies, tools, and skills in order to build effective learning centers in the classroom.

Presenters: Jessica Wright, Kim Bowerman, and Tally Harp from APSRC

8:30 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

Have you heard this new buzz phrase - lesson internalization?? Join us to get answers to the following questions: What is it? Why is it important? What are the key factors for success with this practice at the secondary level? 

Presenters: Jessica Wright, Kim Bowerman, and Tally Harp from APSRC

12:50 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Have you heard this new buzz phrase - lesson internalization?? Join us to get answers to the following questions: What is it? Why is it important? What are the key factors for success with this practice at the elementary level?