| Session Title: Empowerment Evaluation in Context: Tools for Determining Impact of State Capacity Building for Increasing Outcomes of Students With Disabilities |
| Demonstration Session 352 to be held in Suwannee 12 on Thursday, Nov 12, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Special Needs Populations TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Paula Kohler, Western Michigan University, paula.kohler@wmich.edu |
| June Gothberg, Western Michigan University, june.gothberg@wmich.edu |
| Jennifer Hill, Western Michigan University, jennifer.l.hill@wmich.edu |
| Abstract: This session will present the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center's (NSTTAC) Evaluation Toolkit. We begin with an overview of NSTTAC's capacity-building model and how data-based decision-making is used to improve outcomes of students with disabilities. We will follow with an illustration of the Evaluation Toolkit and our strategies to empower SEAs and LEAs to self-evaluate the activities, outputs, and outcomes of their capacity building plans. Examples from the toolkit include checklists, surveys, focus group and interview protocols, database techniques, and examples of capacity building tools in five areas: student-focused planning, student development, family involvement, interagency collaboration, and program structures. The session concludes with a discussion of the challenges to building a data-driven approach for improving outcomes for students with disabilities across a variety of state and local contexts. Participant questions and feedback will be welcomed at the conclusion of the demonstration. |