Wednesday, October 7, 2026

8:30 - 9:30 am Breakout Sessions

Blueprints That Build Futures: Moving Beyond Indicator 13 Compliance to Student Success

Room 201-202
Description: This session explores how quality transition planning helps students build meaningful pathways to life after high school. Participants will discover how using meaningful assessment information, developing student-centered goals, aligning instruction and experiences, and fostering family and community partnerships can support positive postsecondary outcomes. Through practical examples and interactive discussion, attendees will learn how intentional planning can transform transition-focused IEPs into powerful tools that help students reach positive post-school outcomes.
Presenter: Bonnie Boaz and ATS Team
Presentation slides

Architects of Achievement: Understanding the Child Development Early Learning Standards (CDELS) as a Foundation for Reading and Math

Room 203-204
Description: In this session, participants will explore the Child Development Early Learning Standards (CDELS) and their connection to kindergarten readiness, with a focus on the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) area of Acquisition and Use of Knowledge and Skills. Participants will examine how these early skills align with essential kindergarten expectations in Arkansas and support later reading and math success. Through an application activity, attendees will practice determining COS entry ratings and identify critical skills to target through goal writing for children ages birth–5. This session is designed to strengthen practices that improve state performance on Indicator 3B (Part C) and Indicator 7B (Part B 619).
Presenters: Amber Graham and Melissa McLendon
Presentation slides

Policy and Procedures: Your District's Structural Supports for Implementing IDEA

Room 207
Description: Come and hear how having written procedures helps to ensure IDEA implementation across all grade levels in the district.
Presenter: Yvonne Greene
Presentation slides

Leading for Meaningful Access: Engineering Systems That Sustain Opportunity

Room 208
Description: Meaningful access does not happen by chance—it is built through intentional decisions, aligned systems, effective instruction, and ongoing communication. When schools Decide, Align, Teach, and Communicate with a shared direction over time, access becomes more durable and less fragile. This session will examine how these interconnected actions influence educational opportunity from the classroom to postsecondary outcomes. Participants will explore the role of course codes, service delivery structures, and leadership practices in creating systems that support meaningful access to grade-level learning and strengthen long-term student success.
Presenters: Becky Bell and Chelsey Moore
Presentation slides

Measuring What Matters: Mastering Data Cycles, Profiles, and Performance Targets

Room 209
Description: Timelines impact more than IEP and evaluation program monitoring. Learn how timelines drive data reporting and can lead to district noncompliance based on recent monitoring results.
Presenters: Laura Goadrich, Mohamed Sanogho, and Teja Pudota
Presentation slides, handout

9:30-9:45 am Break: Exhibits Open

Special Education Finance 101: The Blueprint for Compliance and Success

Room 201-202
Description: From MOE to High-Cost Occurrence, this session provides a practical blueprint for navigating the major Special Education fiscal responsibilities, compliance requirements, and funding considerations LEAs encounter throughout the year.
Presenter: Josh Hart
Presentation slides

Frameworks for Success: Designing Collaborative Systems with Local Leads for Birth–5 Special Education

Room 203-204
Description: In this session, participants will learn how cross-system collaboration supports positive outcomes for young children. Jennifer Douglas, from the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), will provide an overview of the Local Leads initiative in Arkansas and its connection to early childhood special education. A panel of Part C, Part B 619, and Local Leads representatives will share how they leverage this partnership to strengthen coordination, align services, and promote student success across the birth–5 continuum.
Jennifer Douglas, Amber Graham, and Melissa McLendon
Panelists: Colleen Jobe, Kelli Parson, Brandy Wolfenbarger, Karen Garner, Katlin Niemeyer, and Amy Pinkston
Presentation slides

The Right Tools for the Beginning Administrator's Toolbelt

Room 207
Description: Develop your blueprint for success as a new special education administrator with the right tools in your toolbelt! In this session, you’ll connect directly with Arkansas Collaborative Consultants to learn about the key programs, resources, and services available to help you navigate your role. We’ll focus on what matters most: equipping you with a practical toolkit and building a reliable support system. Bring your questions and leave with valuable information, a strong professional network, and a plan for supporting students, staff, and district success.
Presenter: Julie Amstutz

Panelists: Chelsey Moore, Jennifer Grieman, Shelia Smith, Tab Riendeau, and Dr. Rachel Sievers

On the Drawing Board: Key Special Education Updates for 2026

Room 208
Description: Stay informed on the latest special education developments affecting Arkansas schools. This session will provide important updates and implementation guidance related to the statewide 1% Alternate Assessment Threshold and monitoring process, dyslexia requirements, third-grade promotion legislation, Individual Reading Plans (IRPs), and Math Intervention Plans (MIPs). Participants will gain a clear understanding of current expectations, emerging trends, and practical considerations to support compliance while improving outcomes for students.
Presenter: Becky Bell, Dr. Deborah Grimmett, and Chelsey Moore
Presentation slides

Constructing Post-secondary Pathways: Connecting Students to Arkansas Post-school Programs

Room 209
Description: As students prepare for life after high school, educators play a critical role in helping them and their families explore the full range of postsecondary education and training opportunities available in Arkansas. This fast-paced, informative session will introduce participants to four innovative programs designed to support students with disabilities in achieving their employment, education, and independent living goals: Project SEARCH, HOWL/ATLAS, the 3D Program at Arkansas State University, and EMPOWER at the University of Arkansas. Representatives from each program provide a clearer understanding of the unique opportunities available across the state and practical information they can use to help students make informed decisions about their futures.
Presenter: Bonnie Boaz, Devin Boggs Riley, Erin Riley, Mary Catherine Miller, and Kristin Johnson
Presentation slides

OSE Hot Topics Panel
Dr. Jeff Adams, Becky Bell, Dr. Laura Goadrich, Yvonne Greene, Josh Hart, Amber Graham, Melissa McLendon, Rick Porter

Thank you for attending this year's LEA Academy.

Thank you for all you do to support students in Arkansas!

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