Act 48
RCPE Registration

Date & Time

Session Topic and Description

Location

The Central-Western Region will be offering Act 48 sessions for PSEA members at the Spring Workshop and at other locations in the region. The sessions are provided by PSEA and have been approved by PDE to be applicable towards the number of Act 48 hours indicated. Participants must attend the entire session. Late arrivals or early departures will not receive Act 48 hours. All participants must pre-register, via U.S. mail or fax, for the spring Region Leadership Development Workshop and the individual county sessions. There is a minimum session size of 15 participants, unless otherwise noted. The tentative list of session topics, dates, times, and locations are as follows:

March 17, 2007

10:15 am - 12:15 pm
1:30 - 4:45 pm

Course # 1309
(5 credit hours)

Topic: Teaching Writing in the Content Area .

This session will present teachers with information & tools they can use to support writing instruction in the content area. It includes specific instructional strategies that content area teachers can build into their lesson planning. This session examines the power of both “learning to write” and “writing to learn” activities to help students learn across the content areas.

Presenter: Carla Claycomb

Central-Western Region Workshop
Seven Springs Resort, Champion

March 17, 2007

10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Course # 329
(2 credit hours)

Topic: Monitoring the Implementation of IDEIA (Idea 04 ) .

What do you know about the new Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? During this workshop, you will learn many of the details included in this federal entitlement law, which impacts on regular and special educators alike. The presentation is offered as a “game”, so be prepared for learning as well as fun.

Presenter: Susan Black

March 17, 2007

1:30 - 2:30 pm

Course #1301
(1 credit hour)

Topic: Early Childhood Education: What the Research Says .

Can early childhood education really help children succeed in school and life in general? What makes the most difference in a young student’s life: IQ; stimulating experiences; family income? According to Dr. W. Steven Barnett, Rutgers University Center for Early Education, certain early childhood education programs can have long-term positive effects on a child’s social, emotional and academic development.

Presenter: Colleen Imbriale

March 17, 2007

2:30 - 4:30 pm

Course # 327
(2 credit hours)

Topic: Hot Topics in Special Education .

During this session, the presenter will share the current and emerging issues in special education for both special education and regular education teachers in addition to paraprofessionals and administrators. Proposed state regulations and IDEIA Implementing Regulations will be discussed, along with other topics. Time for questions will be included.

Presenter: Bernard Miller

March 18, 2007

9:00 - 10:15 am

Course # 406
(1.5 credit hours)

Topic: Code of Ethics as a Guide for Professionalism .
This training program presents attendees with an explanation & brief summary of the PSEA Code of Ethics for the Education Professional as well as the Professional Standards & Practices Commission (PSPC). The Code of Ethics contains four principles: commitment to students; commitment to the public; commitment to the profession; and commitment to professional employment practices. Each component will be applied to ethical dilemmas facing classroom teachers through small group discussion.

Presenter: Debra Jakubic

March 18, 2007

10:30 - 11:30 am

Course # 1203
(1 credit hour)

Topic: Legal Issues for School Employees .

This presentation will include topics pertaining to the legal parameters of an employee’s relationship with students, including administration of medication, means by which one may protect him or herself from unfounded allegations of improper student touching, and means by which employees who are assaulted by students may assert their rights.

Presenter: Randall Rodkey, Esq.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

6:00 - 8:30 pm

Course # 1206 & 1207
(2.5 credit hours)

Topic (1 hour): Acceptable Use of Classroom Computer .

This session reviews legal considerations including privacy, harassment, defamation, pornography, copyright, and unauthorized network use of employer-provided computers and electronic networks.

Topic (1.5 hours): Legal Issues for Educators & Paraprofessionals .

The focus is on hot topics that have recently posed problems and concerns for educators and paraprofessionals regarding discipline arising from computer-related activity, failing to report student abuse by fellow colleagues, out-of-school conduct, sexual harassment, and failing to maintain professional relationships with students and/or fellow colleagues. It also includes discussion of the rights of educators and paraprofessionals in carrying out their responsibilities, including their right to seek accommodation for disabilities under the ADA, their right to seek assistance if injured or assaulted at school through the district and through Workers’ Compensation, if applicable, and constitutional parameters surrounding individual rights.

Cambria County :

Forest Hills El. LGI Room
547 Locust Street
Sidman , PA

Send attached registration to:
Johnstown PSEA Office

Registration Deadline:
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Facilitator: Rob Dill

Monday, April 16, 2007

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Course # 330
(3 credit hours)

Topic: Special Education Potpourri.

The potpourri approach to special education issues encourages interaction and discussion between the audience and the presenter. To facilitate this approach, each topic will be presented very briefly transitioning into a Q and A for discussion. The topics will include, but not be limited to, adapting methodology and learning materials; requirements for statewide assessment; education in the least restrictive environment; roles and responsibilities of professionals and paraprofessionals, etc.

Cambria County :

Forest Hills El. LGI Room
547 Locust Street
Sidman , PA

Send attached registration to:
Johnstown PSEA Office

Registration Deadline:
Monday, April 2, 2007

Facilitator: Rob Dill

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Course # 340
(2 credit hours)

Topic : Implementation of the Gaskin Settlement Agreement .

This course will give a detailed explanation on what Least Restrictive Environment means and where it has come from. Court cases and federal and state laws have molded what the placement decisions are based on for students with disabilities who have IEPs. The impact of the LRE Index on school districts will be explored and a series of ideas and resources will be shared. A question and answer period will be built in. Bernie Miller, PSEA’s Director for Education Services, is also a member of the Gaskin Advisory Panel and will give up-to-date information on PDE and the Gaskin Panel related to this topic.

Indiana County :

Blairsville Middle School Performing Arts Center
Blairsville , PA

Send attached registration to: Punxsutawney PSEA Office

Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Course # 1202 & 1205
(2 credit hours)

Topic (1 hour): Law & Sexual Harassment.

This workshop will help participants identify and eliminate sexual harassment in their work environments, and prevent it from occurring in the first place. The workshop will cover recent case law and the legal definitions of sexual harassment. It will provide hypothetical situations to illustrate the definitions of sexual harassment and provide practical suggestions for avoiding and responding to sexual harassment.

Topic (1 hour): Search & Seizure in the School Environment.

This presentation will include a discussion on search and seizure law in the school context, including drug testing, monitoring of student and/or employee computer use, searches of student lockers and/or employee offices or areas, and video surveillance.

Indiana County :

Blairsville Middle School Performing Arts Center
Blairsville , PA

Send attached registration to: Punxsutawney PSEA Office

Registration Deadline:
Monday, April 16, 2007

This information is tentative and subject to change. More details to follow in January 2006.

• All registration forms must be sent via fax or mail.   NO PHONE-IN REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Registration deadlines will be strictly adhered to.   NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED .
• No walk-ins will be admitted to sessions.
• Participants must attend the entire session.   Late arrivals or early departures will not receive Act 48 hours.
• Registration open only to PSEA (EA and ESPA) members.    Sessions are not available to non-members or Fair Share fee payers.
• Confirmation letters will be mailed at least a week before the session.

Johnstown Office
330 Bloomfield St.
Johnstown, PA 15904
Phone: (814)) 266-3965
Toll Free: (814) 441-9793
Fax: (814) 269-3825