The annual MTSS conference focuses on advancing effective implementation of multi-tiered system of supports to ensure the growth and success of all Michigan learners. The two-day conference is an opportunity to learn the latest in research and best practices related to MTSS, strengthen implementation within your context, and connect and share with other attendees.

Conference Objectives

Conference participants will have the opportunity to:

Gain an understanding of the latest research, promising practices, and critical issues related to MTSS to connect with their existing practices.
Learn about developing systems to support effective implementation.
Expand learning of contextual implementation of practices.
Acquire new knowledge and skills applicable to their specific role/position.

When: November 29-30, 2022
Where: Crowne Plaza Lansing West
Cost:
November 29: $75
November 30: $75
Both Days: $150

This Event is Full

Virtual Conference Option – December 14, 2022

This one-day virtual conference is an opportunity for extending our reach to those who were unable to attend the in-person conference. Register for the Virtual event.

Hotel Information

Reserve your hotel room by October 31, 2022

Crowne Plaza Lansing West
925 S. Creyts Road
Lansing, MI 48917

$126 per night (King or 2 Queens)

Reservation Procedures

To book an overnight room visit: www.crowneplaza.com/lansingwest and use the Group Code TSS. In order to receive the quoted Group Rate, the Crowne Plaza Lansing West must receive reservations by Monday, October 31, 2022. After the cutoff date of Monday, October 31, 2022 any rooms left in the block will go back into general sale. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be offered at the Group Rate based on availability, otherwise the best available rate will be offered.

Agenda

November 29

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Registration/Conference Check-In
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM	General Session Keynote – Equity in Education: How to Leverage Existing Systems and Resources to Support Positive Student Outcomes Dr. Tamika LaSalle, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate, and Classroom Management, Georgia State University
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM	Break
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM	Concurrent Learning Sessions #1 MTSS 101: Why MTSS? Trauma-Informed PBIS: Creating Predictable and Safe Environments for Students Know Better, Do Better: Moving Beyond Alternatives to Exclusion to a Whole-Child, Whole-Heart, Whole-Mind Approach to Educational Equity IES Practice Guide Overview: Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9 Intensifying Literacy Instruction to Accelerate Student Outcomes: An Implementation Story Increasing Family Engagement in Program-Wide Implementation PBIS: Never Quit Improving
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM	Concurrent Learning Sessions #2 ISD Implementation Infrastructure to Support MTSS and Other Innovations ISF Readiness: One System of Delivery for Schools, Mental Health, and Families Know Better, Do Better: Moving Beyond Alternatives to Exclusion to a Whole-Child, Whole-Heart, Whole-Mind Approach to Educational Equity MTSS Recognition Input Session Structured Literacy for English Learners: What Every Educator Should Know Early Childhood PBIS: Voices From the Field Integrating Data Review and the Monitoring Requirements of Continuous Improvement within the MICIP Platform: One District’s Story
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM	Break
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM	Concurrent Learning Sessions #3 START with MTSS: Engaging All Learners School Climate Matters: How Do We Measure It? How Do We Use It? The Characteristics of Dyslexia Among English Learners: Key Considerations for Screening and Introduction Installing Secondary PBIS: A Junior High’s Journey Tier 2: Small Group Social Skills Instruction Program-Wide Implementation of the Pyramid Model Integrating Academic, Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Supports

November 30

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Registration/Conference Check-In
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM	General Session Why It’s Critical to Intentionally Sustain an Equity Focus in MTSS Implementation Keynote: Dr. Seena M. Skelton, Ph.D., Director of Operations, Great Lakes Equity Center/Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM	Break
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM	Concurrent Learning Sessions #4 Key Practices for Sustaining Equity in MTSS Implementation Using Data-Based Decision Making in Math within an MTSS Framework Phonics Instruction is Not Enough for ELs. But it’s Still Foundational Promoting Adolescents’ Literacy Skills Across the Content Areas ISF-Readiness: One System of Delivery for Schools, Mental Health, and Families Supporting Staff Wellness: Leveraging the SEL and PBIS Frameworks Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: Promoting Effective Implementation for YOUR Classroom
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM	Concurrent Learning Sessions #5 Laying the Ground Work for Centering & Sustaining Equity in PBIS Five Essentials for Math Instruction Within Your MTSS Framework Phonics Instruction Is Not Enough for ELs. But It’s Still Foundational Promoting Adolescents’ Literacy Skills Across the Content Areas Introduction to the Michigan Dyslexia Handbook: A Guide to Accelerating Learner Outcomes Bringing Early Childhood PBIS to Scale in Michigan Working Together to Support the Whole Child
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM	Break
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM	End Note With Change Comes Opportunity Laurie VanderPloeg, Associate Executive Director for Professional Affairs, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Featuring Keynote Speakers

Dr. Tamika LaSalle, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate, and Classroom Management, Georgia State University

Keynote Address: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 – 9:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m

Dr. Tamika LaSalle, PhD is an Associate Professor of School Psychology at Georgia State University and the Director of the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate. Dr. La Salle’s research focuses on the impact of school climate on the outcomes of students, particularly those with minoritized and marginalized identities. Dr. La Salle also serves as an educational consultant; She Is particularly interested in the impact of culture on students’ educational experiences and on developing and maintaining culturally responsive school environments that are equitable, safe, and positive for students, teachers, and families.

Dr. Seena M. Skelton, Ph.D., Director of Operations Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Keynote Address: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Dr. Seena M. Skelton serves as Director of Operations for the Region III Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center at Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis (IUPUI) where she directs, manages, and monitors equity-focused technical assistance offered to state and local education agencies throughout the center’s thirteen-state region. She has 25 years experience working in inclusive education, school improvement, and educational equity and holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed in School Psychology, and B.S. in Psychology. Seena has worked as a school psychologist in public pre-K12 education systems and as a technical assistance provider for public school systems in states across country. As a consultant for the Southwest Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center, Seena has been the state lead for three statewide education reform initiatives funded by the Ohio Department of Education including the Ohio Improvement Process and the STEPS Progress Monitoring Initiative. Seena contributed to the design and implementation of Ohio’s original tiered systems of academic and behavior supports – the Ohio Integrated Systems Model. Seena supported leadership development as member of the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council, she was founder of the Southwest Ohio Diversity in Education Collaborative, and member of state’s delegation for the National Center for Culturally Responsive Education Systems. In 2012, Seena became co-director of the Equity Alliance at Arizona State University, the region 9 equity assistance center, serving SEAs and LEAs in Arizona, Nevada, and California, then Assistant Director and Project Director for the region five equity assistance center the Great Lakes Equity Center at IIUPUI serving a six-state region. Seena has served on the Center for Parent Information and Resources and Great Lakes Comprehensive Center boards, and is currently on the board for the Indiana State Independent Living Council. Seena has taught as an adjunct instructor at Northern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati and at the College of Mount Saint Joseph. She currently teaches graduate and undergraduate education students as an instructor at IIUPUI. Seena has authored several publications on topics related to improving outcomes for marginalized youth including a book chapter on addressing equity in transition education for youth of color with disabilities, educators’ role in helping students’ positive identity development at the intersection of race and disability, and the article Situating my positionality as a Black woman with a dis/ability in the provision of equity-focused technical assistance: a personal reflection in the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education. Seena received the Leadership in Special Education Field Award from the University of Kansas in 2020, she regularly presents at state, regional, national, and international conferences and is co-editor of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners, peer-reviewed journal, Multiple Voices: Disability, Race, and Language Intersections in Special Education.

Laurie VanderPloeg, Associate Executive Director for Professional Affairs, Council for Exceptional Children (CC)

Endnote Address: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more than 40 years, Laurie has been a champion for students with disabilities at all levels of education. Most recently, she served as Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to joining the department, she was the Special Education Director for the Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD) and spent many years as a special education teacher, an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University in the special education administration program and is a parent of an adult with disabilities.

Laurie graduated from Grand Valley State University with a master’s in special education administration and a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State College. She holds administrative approvals as both supervisor and director of special education and certification in learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, and K–8 regular education.

Laurie oversees strategic initiatives directed at supporting the field, such as overseeing activities to address the special education personnel shortage. She will also provide guidance over the standards and professional development activities of CEC.

As the former president of CEC and its Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), Laurie has held multiple leadership roles within CEC and served in several state and national organizations.

Laurie joined the CEC team in March as it began new efforts to revisit the strategic plan, which will identify new and current areas of focus for CEC in the next 7-10 years.