OCTEO 2014

21st Century Partnerships: Higher Education, Public Schools and Community Foundations

Dr. Douglas Sturgeon, Associate Professor, Shawnee State University– Portsmouth, Ohio

Mr. Roger Taylor, Director of Operations & Transportation,Western Brown Local Schools– Mt. Orab, Ohio

PartnersPt. Pleasant Intermediate School– Mason County

Schools–Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia

Grades 3-6 students with autism and multiple disabilities

Shawnee State University– Portsmouth, Ohio

Intervention specialist teacher candidates assigned on a 1:1 basis with an intermediate school student

Western Brown Local Schools– Mt. Orab, Ohio

Public school district demonstrating interest in project replication

Partnership DescriptionThis is a presentation about a 21st century partnership between Pt. Pleasant Intermediate School, Shawnee State University and Western Brown Local Schools. Intervention specialist teacher candidates from SSU were assigned on a 1:1 basis with PPIS students for a two day autism & sensory integration therapy experience at the Great Wolfe Lodge indoor water park in Mason, Ohio. An administrator from Western Brown Local Schools observed the experience and has a strong interest in project replication.

Contextual Factors & Rural ChallengesBeing located in Portsmouth, finding quality and

diversified field experiences (urban/rural, exposure to a range of disabilities) for SSU teacher candidates is a challenge.

Being located in Pt. Pleasant, finding appropriate locations for autism and sensory integration therapy for PPIS students is a challenge.

The distance between project partners presented time challenges.

Project replication is very dependent upon finding an ample funding source.

Partnership RolesPublic K-12 Role

◦Fiscal Agent◦ELN Student Supervision◦ELN Student Transportation◦ELN Student Goals◦Parent Release◦Potential for Replication

Higher Education Role– SSU◦Grant Writing & Submission◦SSU Student Transportation◦Research Base

Collaborative PlanningSSU teacher candidates and PPIS students met for six weeks to collaboratively plan the two day experience. Meetings were both face-to-face and held using Adobe Connect– a web video conferencing platform.

K-12 Student Population

Pt. Pleasant Intermediate School◦Grades 3-6

Exceptionalities◦Autism◦Multiple Disabilities

Funding ModelClaflin Foundation Grant

◦ Mission: To support the education of all students in Mason County, West Virginia Year four of funding for the partnership:

Lodging Student Transportation Some Meals Parental attendance

Great Wolfe Lodge– Mason, Ohio

Aqua Therapy as part of sensory integration therapy IEP goals

Very large, 84-degree indoor water park with 79,000 square feet of water-packed excitement

Everyone stays onsiteEasily accessible from Pt. Pleasant,

West Virginia & Portsmouth, Ohio

Autism & Sensory Integration Therapy

Essentially a form of occupational therapy. It involves specific sensory activities (swinging, swimming, bouncing, brushing, and more) that are intended to help the patient regulate his or her sensory response. The outcome of these activities may be better focus, improved behavior, and even lowered anxiety.

Connecting OT– PT– SLP-IEP OT & PT Developed goals Tolerate 30 minutes of walking along wall of

water area for 20 minutes to transition to facilityParticipate in group water activityWith assistance explore two new experiences not

found in the poolIncorporate new language of the experience into

conversation Each OT & PT goal relates to an annual IEP goal

of the student

Format◦1:1 SSU to PPIS student ratio◦Meet at neutral location for 1st meeting

(McDonald’s to avoid sensory overload)◦Room in contiguous arrangement for overnight◦Start with exploring the area◦SSU students then focus on goal by goal for

assigned student ◦SSU student data documentation at breaks◦ Joint meal times◦SSU student research project/presentation

SSU Student Instructional GoalsProvide direct 1:1 assistance to the

assigned childSupport and encourage communication

in all activitiesPromote exploration of new activitiesParticipation in “on campus day” for

experience reflection

SSU Student RequirementsGreat Wolfe Aquatic Field Experience

◦ Nontraditional setting

◦ Blocked field time—two full days

◦ Support IEP goals in autism & sensory therapeutic environments

Action Research Project◦ Educational action research can be engaged in by a single teacher,

by a group of colleagues who share an interest in a common problem, or by the entire faculty of a school. Each participating SSU student is expected to conduct an action research project focusing on the student they were paired 1:1 with for autism & sensory integration therapy.

Senior Seminar Culminating Course◦ A combination of the field experience and action research project

shall suffice for the three credit hour senior seminar culminating course.

SSU Student Feedback“I understand autism better

now.”

“I didn’t know how hard it would be to get a kid to try something new.”

Project Replication & Potential for Future Joint ProjectsWestern Brown Local Schools

◦ WEST (Working to Empower Students Together) Program Designed to serve students with emotional disturbances,

severe behavioral challenges and autism who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).

Program is divided into two smaller programs. One serves ages 8-12 while the other serves ages 13-18.

The program is staffed with two intervention specialists, two aides, one police officer and currently serves 15 students.

Provides specialized instruction, mental health care, parent training, transition services, martial arts and equine assisted psychotherapy.

Exploring autism and sensory integration therapy for the program

Working to

Empower

Students

Together

What we have learned?Parental attendance

◦ Important for overnight releaseTransportation

◦ All partners travel togetherMeals onsite

◦ Effort made to keep the experience at the Great Wolfe Lodge

Each year it gets better– we just completed year four!

Question & Answer

OCTEO 2014

21st Century Partnerships: Higher Education, Public Schools and Community Foundations

Dr. Douglas Sturgeon, Associate Professor, Shawnee State University– Portsmouth, Ohio

Mr. Roger Taylor, Director of Operations & Transportation,Western Brown Local Schools– Mt. Orab, Ohio