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| Season Events Calendar |
The 2007-2008 academic year represented a significant milestone for the Department of Special Education as it celebrated five decades of contributions to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. The Department takes great pride in the achievements of its faculty and students throughout their careers as leaders in public education, field research, and policy development. Collectively, they have helped shape public policy and practice that has improved the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities.
The year-long celebration addressed current issues of significance and challenges that loom on the horizon. Lectures and professional development opportunities were planned to encourage dialogue on these issues. Exhibits and a special series of events, including opportunities for reflection and sharing of memories, were designed to document the Department’s evolution.
Link to KU Special Education marks 50 years for brief highlights of the year's celebration. The Season Events Calendar below provides links to presentation documents and videos of the year's events.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS
The University of Kansas has one of the most comprehensive special education programs in the country. These programs are designed to prepare students for leadership roles as teachers, administrators, policy makers, teacher educators, and field researchers. The Department’s culture encourages and supports students working with faculty in cutting edge research and development related to effective education in the field of disabilities. Collaboration with many research units, such as the Center for Research on Learning, Beach Center on Disability, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Schiefelbusch Life Span Institute, and Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, facilitates interdisciplinary learning in the masters and doctoral programs.
The University of Kansas is known internationally for innovative special education practices, field research, and contributions to disability public policy. Ongoing work with campus units, field partners, families, U.S. and international universities, and public agencies has created synergy around issues of common concern. Through these relationships new ideas emerge and solutions are sought. Many of the Department’s contributions are evident in the following areas:
The Department has been ranked among the top graduate programs in the country since the 1970s. Currently U.S. News and World Report places the University of Kansas as the top special education graduate program among all U.S. public and private universities in the 2009 annual edition of “ America’s Best Graduate Schools.”
Departmental research and dissemination activities have influenced effective classroom practice in areas such as academic and behavioral interventions, school to adult life transition, self determination, and technology in teacher education.
The Department has influenced major legislative initiatives and national and international public policy related to disabilities and school reform. These efforts have helped change public perceptions about the potential contributions of children and adults with disabilities.
Click on Season Events Calendar heading to download a copy of the calendar.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
| The Edward L. Meyen Distinguished Lecture : The Supply Side Economics of Education Research Dr. Russ Whitehurst, Director, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education Location: Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Memorial Union Time: 7:00 p.m. - Reception following in Malott Room |
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Transforming education into an evidence-based field requires a supply of rigorous and relevant research from the research community and the demand for such research from practitioners and policymakers. Both the supply of and demand for rigorous and relevant research have historically been weak. Dr. Whitehurst discussed steps the Institute of Education Sciences has taken to create a market for research of the type needed by practitioners and policymakers in advance of their knowing they need it.
University of Kansas Professionals for Disabilities KUPD Student Series:
Getting Started and Staying on Track: Insights and Experiences on Becoming a New Professor
Guest speakers: Dr. Yvonne Bui (University of San Francisco), Dr. Michael Faggella-Luby (University of Connecticut), and Dr. Karrie Shogren (University of Texas)
Location: 150 Joseph R. Pearson Hall
Time: 4:30 p.m.
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Part one |
Part two |
NOVEMBER 29, 2007
| 50th Anniversary Invited Lecture: Accountability and Performance: When Educational Quality Speaks, Educational Equality Answers H. George Frederickson, Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, University of Kansas Location: Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Memorial Union Time: 7:00 p.m. – Reception following in Malott Room |
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Public education has always been about educational achievement on one hand and educational opportunity on the other. In the name of accountability, the public wants, indeed demands, both achievement and opportunity. Educational accountability, in the era of No Child Left Behind, has mostly to do with measuring educational quality; but the results indicate that what is really being measured is the lack of educational equality. Provided here is a hard copy of Dr. Frederickson's lecture. Dr. Frederickson invites readers to dialogue with him at GFRED@ku.edu.
FEBRUARY 11, 2008
| 50th Anniversary Invited Lecture: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Drugs, Genes and Vaccines Dr. C. Russell Middaugh, Takeru and Aya Higuchi, Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas Location: Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Memorial Union Time: 7:00 p.m. – Reception following in Malott Room |
Along with public health measures and antibiotics, vaccines are the major success story of modern medical science with diseases such as smallpox and polio essentially completely eliminated from the planet. For a variety of reasons, both scientific and social, however, for many years new vaccines were rarely seen. During the last few years this has dramatically changed. The potential impact of recent and nascent vaccines, especially in the developing world, is expected to be very significant. In this talk, the scientific developments responsible for this progress and the complex series of social and ethical considerations that have arisen as a consequence are critically explored. Dr. Middaugh's Power Point presentation (159 MB) can be downloaded from http://www2.ku.edu/~kumedpro/SPED/AreWeSoftMachinesA.ppt.
| University of Kansas Professionals for Disabilities Student Conference: Research to Practice Dr. Steve Graham, Professor and Currey Ingram Chair in Special Education, Vanderbilt University Location: Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Memorial Union Time: 9:00 a.m. |
Students, faculty, and staff were invited to learn more about Dr. Graham’s most recent research and his insight on the role of KU in helping him to develop into the researcher and leader he is today. Following Dr. Graham’s keynote presentation, nearly 20 student researchers from across the University and state shared their research. Karen Harris, professor and Currey Ingram Chair in special education at Vanderbilt University, offered the conference's closing remarks and spoke on the challenges of publishing in top-tier journals.
APRIL 4, 2008 (CEC - Boston) and MAY 2, 2008 (Lawrence Campus)
50th Anniversary Reception at Council for Exceptional Children
Location: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Back Bay Ballroom B, Boston, Massachusetts
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a brief presentation at 6:00 p.m.
Alumni, long-time friends of the Department, and significant contributors to the field were invited to celebrate the Department’s 50th anniversary during a reception at the CEC Annual Convention in Boston. The Department honored Dr. Richard Whelan, University of Kansas Distinguished Professor Emeritus, as the 2008 recipient of the University of Kansas Department of Special Education Field Leadership Award. (Award Announcement Letter)
A reception for Dr. Whelan also was held on the Lawrence KU campus on May 2nd. At that time a book of letters was presented to Dr. Whelan. Those wanting to contribute to this collection may send a letter, note, or card to: Kelly Scott, University of Kansas, Department of Special Education, 521 JRP, 1122 W. Campus Rd., Lawrence, KS 66045-3101 ( specialeduadm@ku.edu; 785/864-0556).
| 50th Anniversary Panel and Awards Reception Location: Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Room 247 Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m. Panelists: Drs. Dick Whelan, Gary Clark, and Nancy Peterson—Reflections on the Department's Past and Forecasts of the Department's Future |
On May 2, the Department hosted a 50th Anniversary Panel and Awards afternoon reception on the KU campus. T he Department honored retiring and Distinguished Professor Emeriti faculty, Jerry Chaffin and Gary Clark; former faculty member Brenda Myles, who is leaving the University with plans to continue her work with teachers and families in autism spectrum disorders; 2008 Department of Special Education Field Leadership Award recipient Dick Whelan (recognized at the CEC reception noted above); and three student award recipients: Mary Dunbar, the Dahlke Community Inclusion Award; Pam Epley, Judy Tate Outstanding Doctoral Student Award; and Susanne James, Gordon R. Family Scholarship Award.
50th Anniversary KU Reception
Location: Dole Institute of Politics
Special Guest: U.S. Army Sgt. Matt Lammers, who received the Bob Dole Humanitarian Award on Senator Dole's behalf.
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Year-End Gala |
Slide Show |
The evening of May 2, the Department hosted a KU reception ceremony and dinner at the Dole Institute of Politics and honored Senator Bob Dole with the Bob Dole Humanitarian Award for Service to the Disability Community. Matt Lammers, who was disabled on his second tour in Iraq, was selected by Senator Dole to receive the award on his behalf. (See Lawrence Journal World article.) A video-taped interview of Senator Dole by Ed Meyen, special education professor, was shown at the ceremony and provided a personal look at significant events in the Senator's life that have impacted the disability community through his life of public service.
50th Anniversary Professional Development Day
Location: University of Kansas Memorial Union
Time: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
As the culminating event in this year-long celebration, the Department of Special Education hosted a unique professional day for teachers and administrators focused on enhancing teaching effectiveness through research and collaboration. This energizing day was filled with presentations, practical demonstrations, and informal round-table discussions with KU faculty, graduate students and alumni, as well as collaborating administrators and teachers from Kansas schools involved in making research-based practices "make sense."
Click on the following Professional Development Day sessions to access PowerPoint presentations, URLs, and handouts.
50th Anniversary Professional Development Day Sessions |
Concurrent Sessions |
| “Blending Assessment with Instruction Program”… in Mathematics with the Use of Technology Ed Meyen, Professor, Department of Special Education, e-Learning Design Lab Diana Greer, Research Associate, Center for Education Testing and Evaluation, e-Learning Design Lab |
| Early Childhood Education: Curriculum for Supporting Children At-Risk for School Failure Eva Horn, Professor, Department of Special Education Susan Palmer, Associate Research Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Effects of the Class-Wide Function-Based Intervention Team “CW-FIT” Group Contingency Program Blake Hansen, Graduate Research Assistant, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project |
| Emerging Practices, Programs, and Approaches Related to Teaching Struggling Adolescents Keith Lenz, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education Belinda Mitchell, Special Education doctoral fellow, former teacher at Central Academy Middle School, Fincastle, VA Frances Ihle, Special Education doctoral fellow, former teacher at South High School, Minneapolis, MN |
| Identifying and Using Effective Methods with Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues, Challenges, and Recommendations Rich Simpson, Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Principal Leadership in Inclusive and Effective Schools Chriss Walther-Thomas, Chairperson, Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Adapting Inclusive Instructional Environments to Promote Language and Literacy of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Handout) Juliet Hart, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Family-Professional Partnerships in Ensuring Successful Transitions at the Early Childhood Level Ann Turnbull, Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training “K-CART” Debra Kamps, Senior Scientist, and Linda Heitzman-Powell, Assistant Research Professor, Life Span Institute, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project |
| Making Data-Based Decisions About Language Intervention for Infants and Toddlers Jay Buzhardt, Assistant Research Professor, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project |
| MTSS + Technology = Evidence-Based Solutions Sean Smith, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education |
| Online Resources for Transition and Secondary Special Education Mary Morningstar, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education |
Keynote Presentation |
| Making Research-Based Practices Make Sense: Staying on Track by Following the Right Road Signs! Donald D. Deshler, Professor of Special Education and Director, Center for Research on Learning |
Kaleidoscope Round-Table Conversations |
| Blending Assessment with Instruction Program (BAIP) Diana Greer, Research Associate, Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation, and Jennifer Kolb, 6th-Grade Science & Literature, Lansing Middle School |
| Early Childhood Family Support Using an Online Community of Practice George Gotto, Research Associate/CoP Administrator, Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas |
| Community Transition Program: Helping Young Adults Transition from High School to Adult Life Jenifer Rovel Jones, Community Transition Teacher, and Mistie Copas-Thomas, Transition Social Worker, Lawrence Public Schools |
| Enhancing Efficiency of Paraeducators Through Professional Development of Certified Staff Claudia Reinfelds, Career Teacher, Olathe District Schools, and doctoral student, University of Kansas |
| Evidence-Based Interventions for Asperger Syndrome Lisa Barrett Mann, M.S.Ed., Owner, Asperger’s Interventions, Overland Park, Kansas |
| Implementation of MTSS/RtI in the Shawnee Mission School District Jodi Henderson, School Psychologist/MTSS Facilitator, Shawnee Mission School District |
| Postsecondary Hidden Curriculum Jenna Beahm, Master’s student, and Terri Cooper Swanson, doctoral student, University of Kansas |
| Self-Advocacy Strategies for the Elementary Student Gerilyn Semro, M.S. Ed., Elementary Teacher, Horizon Academy, Roeland Park, Kansas |
| Student-Initiated Efforts of Inclusion Sue Ann Kline, Ph.D., and Karen Gladhart, M.S.Ed., Eisenhower School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Success with Social Stories Rebecca Showalter, Life Skills Teacher, Arbor Creek Elementary, Olathe School District |
| The Power of Mentoring for New Teachers Barbara Weatherford, Student Services Consultant, Blue Valley School District |
| Transition Treasures Toolkit Overview Debby Byrne, Life Skills Facilitator, and Jancy Comer, Access/Transition Teacher, Olathe School District |
| Using Content Enhancement Routines to Improve Student Outcomes Carmen Cantrell, Resource Teacher, Indian Woods Middle School, Shawnee Mission School District |
| When the Shoe's on the Other Foot: Shifting Perspective From Family Member to Educator in Special Education Kelley Young, KU Master's student and Special Education Teacher, Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence, Kansas |
| Whole L.I.V.E.S. – Resources for Creating a Life of Inclusion, Valued Relationships, Economic Control, and Self-Determination Judith M. S. Gross, doctoral student, University of Kansas |
50TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATIVE EXHIBITS
Several exhibits were planned to commemorate the Department’s 50th anniversary. These included a specially commissioned seal and medallion, a DVD chronicling the year's celebration, a new co-authored faculty book, an oral history of the Department, and a special collection of all major introductory special education textbooks published in the United States before 2000. Those wanting to contribute a book to the special education textbook collection should contact Professor Ed Meyen at meyen@ku.edu.
The faculty-authored book, Taking Stock of Special Education Policy & Practice: A Retrospective Commentary, explores current trends and issues based on previously published work. The co-authors reflect on their work, discussing how it has affected the field and evaluate its relevance in today's evolving world of special education. The book is available from Love Publishing Company for $66.00. Royalties from book sales will be used to fund student scholarships.
The DVD chronicling the Department’s 50th anniversary year will be available in late summer of 2008.
In conjunction with the above efforts, the Department is encouraging alumni and current students to submit anecdotes and personal stories from their time in the Department. Please submit your recollections and updated personal information by clicking on Alumni Survey.
