Schedule-At-A-Glance

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton for a special conference rate of $132. Rooms can be reserved by calling 708-425-7800 and requesting a room under the "Proficio" block, or by clicking below:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

We are excited to announce that Wednesday's Keynote will be Dr. Howie Knoff. Dr. Knoff is a top international expert on school discipline, classroom management, student self-management, and interventions with behaviorally challenging students. Dr. Knoff is widely respected for his research and writing on school improvement and organizational change and has authored or co-authored 18 books. He has worked in every state in the country. Come listen to the Director of Project Achieve discuss methods for increasing student achievement!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9

We are also excited to announce that Thursday will feature a panel on best practices in transition and employment for students with disabilities. It will focus on preparing students for adulthood. Join us and our sponsors, Whitted + Takiff Law, for a panel discussion with the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the following professionals: Deb Russell, David Kearon, Sue Walter, Patrick McGreevy. 

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SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE 

Session Descriptions 

REGISTER HERE!

For lodging, call the Hilton at 800-315-1058 and utilize discount code PRO.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

We are excited to announce that Wednesday's Keynote will be Dr. Teri Marx. Dr. Marx is a researcher at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) who provides technical assistance and professional development to states and schools under the National Center on Intensive Intervention and the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) Center. Dr. Marx also serves as a task leader for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part D Program Analysis, Communication, Dissemination, and Meetings Multiple Award Task Order contract through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the Department of Education. 

The keynote will feature a discussion on improving student outcomes at your school. Training practitioners to design and deliver intensive, individualized intervention that integrates both academic and behavioral supports is integral in schools. Data-based individualization (DBI), a process to intensify supports, relies on the systematic and frequent collection and analysis of student-level data, modification of intervention components when those data indicate inadequate response, and use of function-based problem solving to individualize intervention based on students’ unique needs. School teams that are using the hands-on DBI process are experiencing greater ability to systematically use data to determine student needs, as well as identify effective evidence-based interventions in both academics and behavior.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Thursday morning will open with a panel discussion on best practices in crisis de-escalation and physical management. Representatives of several companies with models for crisis de-escalation and intervention will discuss basic information and provide an overview of student crisis de-escalation, restraint techniques, common issues/pitfalls in restraint use that cut across all systems and settings, and evidence-based methods and ideologies. Organizations participating will include: Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Safety-Care by QBS, Ukeru, and FEI Workforce Resilience. 

Conference Links:

Schedule At-A-Glance

Session Descriptions

Save-the-Date

Resource Fair Participants

This November 2015 Special Education Conference connecting regulatory and legal guidelines with innovative and research-based techniques was a huge success! There were 17 states represented as well as D.C. This annual event draws special education administrators from across the country providing unique professional development networking opportunities.

Thursday's keynote was award-winning playwright, sports media host, CEO of Educational Improv Works, comedian, and one of the top corporate speakers in the country, Spike Manton. 

Friday's keynote was New York Times bestselling author, educator, and entrepreneur, Stedman Graham. 

Sessions included topics in the areas of: medical/clinical updates, transition services, intervention strategies, technology, rate setting, social-emotional learning, program outcomes, multi-tiered systems of support, public/private partnerships, legal issues, innovative resources, etc.... Sessions were presented by dynamic speakers from places such as: Lurie Children’s Hospital, Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health, Northwestern University, Saint Xavier University, American Association of Children’s Residential Centers, Institute for Therapy through the Arts, University of Illinois at Chicago, Rush Neurobehavioral Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, law firms, nonpublic schools, public schools, consulting companies, vendors, and more. 

An exhibitor hall was open for attendees to gain vital information from resources on nonpublic placements, transition services, community agencies, IEP/data software, curriculum, professional associations, and assistive technology. A social hour sponsored by Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers (IAPSEC) and National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) was offered Thursday afternoon of the conference in the exhibitor hall. Wine and appetizers were served.

If you are interested in offering suggestions for future events, please email admin@proficioconsulting.net.