Overall Focus: Exploring how cultural factors impact special education processes and developing more equitable and culturally responsive support systems.

Facilitator: Elizabeth Zagata of West Ed

Day 1: Cultural Considerations in Special Education (50 minutes)

• Data exploration: Patterns of disproportionality in special education (15 min)

• Research overview: Cultural factors in learning differences and disabilities (15 min)

• Discussion: How culture shapes perceptions of ability and disability (15 min)

• Closing reflection and preview of Day 2 (5 min)

Day 2: Equity in Assessment and Intervention (50 minutes)

• Connecting to Day 1: From understanding to assessment (5 min)

• Case study analysis: Cultural bias in traditional assessment approaches (20 min)

• Framework introduction: Culturally responsive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (15 min)

• Discussion: Distinguishing between cultural differences and disabilities (10 min)

Day 3: Culturally Responsive IEP Development (50 minutes)

• Connecting to Day 2: From assessment to planning (5 min)

• Guided analysis: Examining IEP components through a cultural lens (15 min)

• Collaborative activity: Incorporating cultural assets into IEP development (20 min)

• School-based discussion: Barriers to culturally responsive IEPs (10 min)

Day 4: Implementing Culturally Responsive Special Education Services (50 minutes)

• Connecting to Day 3: From planning to implementation (5 min)

• Strategy sharing: Supporting linguistically diverse families in the IEP process (15 min)

• Action planning: Developing more equitable special education practices (20 min)

• Commitment and accountability structures (10 min)