OHIO DEAN’S COMPACT

I feel extremely fortunate to have been the OAESA representative on the Ohio Dean’s Compact for the past two years. I hope to continue to represent our organization and its voice alongside Joe Friess, secondary principal from Wauseon Middle School, Wauseon Exempted Village Schools, and Michael Tefs, EdD, superintendent of Wooster City Schools.

I have received some of the best professional development and resources to share with my staff on the topics of inclusivity, equity, and social justice. At each quarterly meeting speakers from across the United States have shared their perspectives on a range of topics. Some of our past speakers include:

• Randall L. De Pry, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Special Education, Portland State University, “Developing More Inclusive Educator Preparation Programs.” • Michael R. McCormick, superintendent, Val Verde Unified School District, California, “Building A Culture of Innovation.” • Paul C. Gorski, PhD, founder, EdChange, and associate professor of Integrative Studies, George Mason University, “Strengthening Equity for All Children.” • Lawrence J. Wexler, EdD, director, Research to Practice Division, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), United States Department of Education, “A Federal Perspective on What’s Possible & What’s Right.” • Celia Oyler, PhD, professor of education, Teachers College, Columbia University, “Getting Out of the Special Education Box: A Long, Unfinished Journey.”

What is the Ohio Dean’s Compact on Exceptional Children? This organization is a group dedicated to “improving the capacity of teacher education, educational leadership, and related service personnel preparation programs in Ohio to better prepare educators to effectively teach and support every child through collaborative inquiry, meaningful partnership, and collective action.”

Who are its members? Compact membership is comprised primarily from institutions of higher education with representation from affiliated organizations such as the Ohio Department of Education, PK–12 partners, Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC), Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), and many more. A core team with representation from the Ohio Department of Education, the Department of Higher Education, the Compact director, the Compact webmaster, and the Compact chairperson and Vice Chairperson, work together to plan and lead the work.

What does it do? At the core of the compact’s work is the commitment to improve learning and results for all children, especially those from marginalized groups (e.g., students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged). Members believe that all children learn to higher levels when they are taught by adults with the necessary knowledge, competencies, and dispositions. To that end, the compact strives to im

prove the capacity of educators to meet the instructional needs of all students by

• increasing the number of inclusive models of teacher and administrative preparation programs; • addressing critical personnel shortages and ongoing professional development in low-incidence sensory disabilities (LISD) such as visual impairment, hearing impairment; • incentivizing research-based innovative practices; and • providing a forum for discussion, dialogue, and collective inquiry and learning.

The compact works to turn theory into practice and foster simultaneous renewal by developing partnerships between institutes of higher education and school districts utilizing a collaborative inquiry process.

How is it funded? The Ohio Deans Compact on Exceptional Children is supported primarily through a grant from the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children. The compact is operated through the University of Cincinnati Systems Development & Improvement Center, located in Columbus, Ohio.

When was it started? This organization has been in existence since 2013.

What is a typical agenda for a quarterly meeting? Meetings typically start in the early afternoon on Thursday with a welcome and overview of the agenda by the compact chairperson, at this time Dr. Mary Lou DiPillo. This is followed by a keynote speaker and updates from state leaders. There is a working dinner with group discussions on the keynote presentation. The next morning committees have a chance to meet and then report out followed by the keynote speaker’s reflections and observations. Incentive grant awardees provide status reports followed by additional updates and next steps.

How can I learn more? I encourage OAESA members to learn more about this organization and the important work it is doing in educator and principal preparation and licensure, by attending the 5th Annual Statewide Conference and Preconference on January 31 and February 1–2, 2018.

Are there resources that I can use for my staff? Visit the website at www.ohiodeanscompact.org, and click on the tab marked “Resources.” All of the presentations from meetings and annual conferences are readily available to be downloaded for immediate use along with links to resources for partner organizations. Be sure to check out the OLAC website and its many professional learning modules as well. I have used materials from both sources during staff meetings and professional in-services with my staff at Carey Elementary School.