TCASE Midwinter Conference 2009

February 10, 2009 through February 12, 2009

Omni Hotel Fort Worth
1300 Houston Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102

View Convention fees: Display the current convention fees
Hotel Accommodations: Need to make hotel reservations?
Exhibitor Information: Interested in Exhibiting or Sponsoring?
Meet the Presenters
Register by Fax: Do you need to print a paper registration form that can be faxed? Click Here

With so many constant changes to rules, regulations and best practices in the area of special education, you probably feel as though you need the speed, agility and strength of a rodeo cowboy and the humor of a rodeo clown. Fortunately, TCASE and its network of legal and program specialists can help you learn the ropes because This Ain't Our First Rodeo.

We're excited that we have an array of prizes to award all those registered for the conference by January 23. Not only do you reserve our early bird registration rate by registering now, but you have a chance to win a $100 hotel spa gift certificate, a gift certificate to one of the restaurants or one of 10 gift cards to Starbucks (each valued at $10).

Tuesday, February 10

Pre-Conference Workshops

8:30 to 11:30 am
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 & What's New in the K-12 Section 504 World
Presented by: David Richards
In September of 2008, Congress passed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The Act adds new major life activities, creates a new rule on considering mitigating measures (such as medication) and seeks to broaden eligibility under the ADA and its sister statute, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This session will examine the potential impact of those changes on K-12 Section 504 and possible response from the U.S. Department of Education, together with a look at new decisions, trends, and other topics of interest.

8:30 to 11:30 am Success Stories with AYP
Presented by: Frances Stetson, President, Stetson and Associates, Inc.
With increasing accountability standards and demands of 21st century schools, success in meeting the adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirement under No Child Left Behind is an especially challenging endeavor. TCASE has brought together Dr. Frances Stetson of Stetson and Associates and a stellar panel of special education directors and principals to address this topic with examples of success and specific strategies for achieving AYP. Their strategies will offer innovative ideas, practical tools, and inspiration.

8:30 to 11:30 am Significant Disproportionality
Presented by: TEA Staff, Jim Gonzales with ESC Region XIII, and Kelly Solis with ESC Region I
Texas Education Agency's special education staff will provide an update on the most current guidance related to significant disproportionality. Followed by Education Service Centers Region I and XIII reviewing a structured and systematic planning process aimed at tackling the crucial issue. The session will provide special education directors with the tools and resources to begin preparing for systematic change.

Main Conference

1 to
1:45 pm Opening General Session
Welcome and Awards Ceremony

1:45 to 3 pm Texas Legislative Session Preview
The legislative landscape will shift in 2009. Once the dust settles and the key players emerge, TCASE will invite a panel of Texas lawmakers and/or policy experts to discuss the issues that will dominate during the next Texas Legislative Session. Come hear about the bills and amendments that likely would affect you, your district and your students.

3:30 to 3:50 pm Student Success Story
Presented by: Andrew Kulcak

3:50 to 5 pm TEA-State of the State
Presented by: Kathy Clayton, Director, Division of IDEA Coordination

Wednesday, February 11th

7:30 to 8:30 am New Directors' Job-Alike Breakfast (registration required)

8:30 to 9:45 am General Session - Keeper of The Flame: How to Inspire Others on the Cusp of Change
Presented by: Mike Lipkin
“The New Normal is pushing me to the edge. I'm being squeezed up against my limits professionally, mentally, emotionally, financially, socially and physically.” If you're instinctively excited about Thriving On The Cusp, you're a natural Keeper of The Flame. This program will give you the insights and strategies to burn even brighter for the people around you. If you're instinctively threatened by the thought of Thriving On The Cusp, you're holding back. You're not using all of your gifts. Too much of you is being held in reserve. Your flame is still unlit. This program will help you catch fire and ignite others as well. In the new normal, it's not good enough just being excellent. Excellence merely gives you the right to play. On the cusp of change, you have to be brilliant. You have to be A Keeper of The Flame: someone who goes first; someone with a heightened awareness of his/her impact on others; someone who is his/her own best coach; someone in total sync with his/her environment; someone embedded with the authority of both competence and character; someone who inspires others to be their personal best; someone like you. Someone like the person you will become. Or someone like the person you need to rediscover.

10:15 to 11:30 am Learning Labs
Click here for times and locations.
Click here for session titles and descriptions.

11:30 am to 1 pm Lunch on Your Own

1 to 2 pm Learning Labs

2:30 to 3:30 pm Learning Labs

4 to 5 pm Learning Labs

7:30 pm to midnight Private Entertainment Evening

Thursday, February 12

8:30 to 9:30 am
Federal Perspective
Presented by: Melinda Baird

10 to 11:15 am
Lessons Learned Legal Panel
Presented by: David Hodgins, Jose Martin, and Jim Walsh
Come hear a panel of education attorneys offering anecdotes and lessons learned for some of the hottest issues you are facing in your job today.

Please note that TCASE reserves the right to refuse registration or ask an attendee to leave the conference. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.