Professional Development and Inservice Training

MAISD provides extensive teacher training in the following areas:

• IDEA 97 and Discipline - Explanation of the recent revisions and interpretations of this law with the focus on providing quality behavioral supports, while providing due process and following necessary procedural safeguards

• Supportive Intervention Strategies for Verbally and Physically Aggressive Students - A formal ISD training in verbal de-escalation and diffusion strategies, self defense, prevention, and personal safety techniques

• Writing BIPs and FBAPs -Training for psychologists, social workers, administrators and teachers in the process of writing behavioral support plans and conducting functional behavioral assessments

• Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) - Training educators on the BARJ components as well as the BARJ process when dealing with behavior offenses at school. Also included, a session on circle conferencing.

• SWIS - School Wide Information System - Certified trainers for the web based SWIS data collection system

• Nature and Needs - Training to teachers of low incidence population students in such areas as; Applied Behavioral Analysis, Picture Exchange System, evaluation of treatments, and the understanding of pharmacological interventions

• Inclusion and Disability Awareness Training - Inservice training for parents, teachers, students and administration on providing supports and training in the inclusion process

• Community Building - Training regarding the process of building community and relationships in the classroom with emphasis on the stages of inclusion, influence, and community.

• Social Skill Training - Training on the instruction of appropriate social and behavioral skills. In-service will review the teaching process, provide practice opportunities for participants and review existing social skills programs.

• School Wide Positive Behavior Supports - Training offered in a variety of modules based on the school?s needs and staff availability. PBS training may include: awareness training, staff assessment and data collection systems, establishing school-wide expectations, correction procedures, and incentives, and developing training programs for students.

• Bullying - training will focus on the dynamics involved bullying. Both the bully and the victim will be profiled. Prevention and treatment will also be discussed.

• Reaching the 1-7% - Training focuses on children who exhibit significant alienating and disruptive behaviors (e.g. Attachment Disorder, Oppositional and Defiance Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Emotional Impairments, and ADHD) and the relationship obstacles they present. Emphasis will be placed on building relationships and therapeutic interventions.

• Data Collection - Training focuses on user-friendly data collection systems, with emphasis place on liability, efficiency, and indications.

• Parent Training - Training is provided in a variety of venues (e.g., parent nights, parenting series, topical presentations) and focuses on providing strategies to provide loving nurturing environments which foster self control and interpersonal skill development.