NATHAN EBANKS FOUNDATION

Falling through the Cracks© Special Education Needs Conference & Workshop was held on April 6-9, 2010 at the Mona School of Business in Kingston Jamaica. We are thrilled to report that the training was very successful.

This conference was designed for and attracted professionals from early childhood, primary, preparatory, secondary and vocational training institutions, and comprised teachers, instructors, program administrators, principals, vice principals, department heads, guidance counselors, special educators, social workers, policy makers and parents. 

The training curriculum was delivered in segments and centered on groundbreaking research and proven methods for practical application.  The specific areas covered included: effective planning for engaged pedagogy; empowering boys to succeed in school; advancement of people and children’s rights with disabilities; developing individualized education plans (IEPs); actualizing community partnerships for inclusive education; approaches to successful service coordination and educational outcomes for students and adults with mild to profound disabilities. 

Overall, the conference achieved a number of incredible milestones including:

1. Receiving the endorsement of both the Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Commission;
2. The convergence of five experts in the fields of education, special education, and early intervention that specialize in helping teachers raise the performance of students who are slow or failing;
3. A record number of 150 participants (over the 4 days);
4. An expanded curriculum covering a range of special education topics specific to primary thru secondary education; and
5. Seven workshop sessions addressing different aspects of special education needs including strategies for empowering boys, approaches to quality inclusive education, theories and methods for specific learning disabilities, differentiated instruction and lesson planning; and approaches to adaptations and accommodations for learners with mild to profound disabilities.

Feedback from Attendees

Unequivocally, the conference raised a lot of themes for deeper thought, discussion, and areas for potential implementation.  In addition, the information from the conference coincided with the new initiatives and draft policies from the Ministries of Education and Labor.

It is important to note that the information brought to and generated from the conference is paramount for two main reasons: 1) it signals a call for developing a national special education needs policy; and 2) it reflects the need for a national accountability plan for professional development and training that will extensively prepare the workforce for addressing students/adult learners with disabilities and other special educaton needs.

The Conference & Workshops is heading to Montego Bay this Fall.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank the following organizations/individuals for supporting this conference:

Jamaica Computer Society Education Foundation

National Health Fund

Mona School of Business

Supreme Ventures Ltd.

RBTT Bank Jamaica Ltd.

The Jamaica Biscuit Co. Ltd.

TBC Radio 88.5FM,

The Gleaner Company Ltd.

Tracey Hamilton & Associates 

Geli-Anne Campbell

Social Work Volunteers from the Jamaica Thelogical Seminary

Latoya Cameron

Jannell Dale

Yolande Bryan

Margaret Spooner

Shirley Nelson

Pierre-Cheri Smallwood

Hazel Alleyne

Marja Francis

Rose-Marie Stewart

We also wish to thank our trainers and all participants who helped to make this training successful.

Falling through the cracks Conference & Workshops is headed to Montego Bay, October 11-15, 2010!