Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities:
From Assessment to Interventions

Featuring

Nancy Mather, Ph.D.
University of Arizona

Ethics Workshop

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:00-9:00
Dr. Kathy McNamara

April 16, 17, and 18, 2008
Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Drive
At Easton Town Center
Columbus, Ohio

Conference Brochure: (return to top)

About the Presentation:

The purpose of this two-day workshop is to address the assessment of students with specific reading and spelling disabilities, and provide a review of basic reading and writing skills. The discussion will focus on: a) the role of RTI in the assessment process and the need for comprehensive evaluations; (b) a review of the various cognitive and linguistic factors that affect the development of basic reading and writing skills; (c) clarification of the characteristics and educational needs of student with reading disabilities; (d) an overview of the development of reading and spelling skills, and (e) discussion of the most effective instructional interventions. In addition, the session will address how the WJIII can contribute to accurate diagnoses of reading and writing disabilities within a comprehensive evaluation. Case studies will be presented to illustrate and explain the various interpretive options.

Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Define and differentiate among the diverse factors that affect the development of reading and writing skills.
2. Learn how the different types of discrepancy procedures associated with the WJIII can help inform the diagnosis of a reading disability.
3. Learn how to use the WJ III intra-ability discrepancy procedures to help identify strengths and weaknesses within an individual. These procedures can help a school psychologist explain how the abilities measured by the WJIII are related to varied aspects of learning.
4. Understand how results from the WJIII can help school psychologists meet the requirement of a comprehensive assessment.
5. Explain the stages in reading development
6. Understand the continuum of reading methodologies from explicit to implicit and what types of students will benefit from what types of interventions.
7. Recommend effective, research-based interventions for improving reading performance.

Nancy Mather Ph.D.
Nancy Mather is a Professor at the University of Arizona in the department of Special Education, Rehabilitation and School Psychology. She specializes in the areas of assessment, reading, writing, and learning disabilities. She has served as a learning disabilities teacher, a diagnostician, a university professor, and an educational consultant. Nancy Mather has published numerous articles and conducts workshops on assessment and instruction nationwide and internationally. Dr. Mather is a co-author of the Woodcock-Johnson III and has co-authored two books on interpretation and application of this test: Woodcock-Johnson III: Reports, recommendations, and strategies (Mather & Jeffe, 2002) and Essentials of the WJIII Tests of Achievement Assessment (Mather, Wendling, & Woodcock, 2001). In addition, she has co-authored the book: Learning disabilities and challenging behaviors: A guide to interventions and classroom management (2nd ed.) (Mather & Goldstein, 2008) and Essential of Assessment Report Writing (Lichtenberger, Mather, Kaufman, & Kaufman, 2004).

Program Schedule (return to top)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
4:30-7:30 OSPA Executive Board Meeting
6:00-9:00 Ethics Workshop (Dr. Kathy McNamara)

Thursday, April 17, 2008
7:30-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:00 State Department Update
9:00-12:00 Nancy Mather Presentation
12:00-1:30 Lunch (Included) OSPA Awards
1:30-3:45 Nancy Mather (Continued)
4:00-4:45 Committee Meetings

Friday, April 18, 2008
7:30-9:00 President-elect Breakfast
7:30-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:00 Poster Sessions
9:00-11:30 Nancy Mather (Continued)
11:30-1:00 Lunch (Included) OSPA Business Mtg.
1:00-3:30 Nancy Mather (Continued)

Registration Fees (return to top)

	Registration Before/After March 25		*Rate with team* By March 25	Ethics Wed PM Before/ After March 25
	One Day	Both Days	Both Days
OSPA Member	$95/$110	$160/$180	$145	$30/$55
Student & Interns	$80/$85	$85/$95	$75	$30/$55
Non-Member	$120/$140	$190/$210	$170	$45/$55

Dealine for conference refund is March 25, 2008.

*Denotes a special rate for building team registrations received at the same time. (Teams are one psychologist and any teacher(s) and/or administrators from the same building.)

You must be a current member at the time of registration, OSPA membership year is July 1 through June 30th.

Books (return to top)

Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors (2nd Ed.) (2008) A Guide to Interventions and Classroom Management
Nancy Mather, Ph.D., & Sam Goldstein, Ph.D. $57

Understanding, Assessing, & Intervening on Reading Problems (New from NASP) Laurice Joseph, Ph.D. (OSPA’s own Laurice – From THE Ohio State University!!!) $38

Both Books: Conference Price $88

Meal Menus (return to top)

TBA
Friday Buffet

Location & Lodging (return to top)

Location:
Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Drive
Columbus, OH 43219

Hotel Reservations:
Call (614) 414-5000 Fax: (614) 414-5100
Room Rate: $179 (Single or Double)
Deadline for conference rate: 3/25/08

For information regarding menus and activities at Easton Town Center, click here.

***Notice the change from the traditional spring conference schedule from May to April. Rooms cost more, but parking is free and the Hotel is on the grounds of the Easton shopping area. ***

Continuing Education Credit (return to top)

Continuing Education / MCEs Available
One hour graduate credit is available through Ashland University for the conference rate of $160. Fees must be paid to Ashland University representative at the conference.