SERC: SERC Workshops and Learning Opportunities 2007-2008

For 2007-2008, SERC's Professional Development activities are being published in three volumes.

A Message from the SERC Directors

Fall 2007

Dear Colleagues,

Change is nothing new to SERC—as an agency, we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of families and educators in Connecticut. The past two years in particular have ushered in some significant developments. Last year we announced that SERC had a new name; formerly known as the Special Education Resource Center, SERC became the State Education Resource Center according to revised state statutes. While the agency continues to maintain the Special Education Resource Center, this change reflects the broad services and programs that SERC has been offering for many years in both general and special education.

This year, we are excited to announce the development of two new resource centers that will be added to SERC’s already expansive array of programmatic services: the Connecticut Early Childhood Resource Center and the Connecticut Parent Information and Resource Center (CT PIRC).

The Early Childhood Resource Center will offer expanded professional development and continuing education opportunities and resources for early care and education personnel, including job-embedded learning opportunities and workshops and materials supporting developmentally appropriate practices. It will also offer educational opportunities and resources for families, such as workshops on parenting and early language/literacy, and books, journals, DVD/Video, and Web resources.

The CT Parent Information and Resource Center will expand information dissemination, training opportunities, and support for families, with targeted outreach to those from racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will also offer a dedicated toll-free phone line to provide assistance to families on issues related to accountability and the No Child Left Behind Act. Its focus will be on the strengths of families and effectiveness of family learning and family involvement.

Both Centers are hoping to eventually offer accommodations for families, including evening programs, fee waivers, limited stipends for transportation/childcare, and information available in both English and Spanish. In addition, both Centers will constantly be adding to their offerings throughout the year as they grow and adapt to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

While we adjust our programming to meet new challenges and opportunities, our mission remains the same: to provide educators and families with high quality professional development to improve educational outcomes and, thus, the achievement of all of Connecticut’s children and youth. These new developments will enable SERC to better accomplish this goal in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and all our partners.

For more information about any of SERC’s resource centers, please call SERC’s general number and a professional will direct you to the appropriate person(s). We hope that you will take advantage of some of our resources and pass the word on to colleagues and friends. Participate in a learning opportunity...borrow from our library…visit us online. Call and let us know how we can help.

We look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you all the best in 2007-2008.

Marianne Kirner, Ph.D.
Director

Sarah J. Barzee
Associate Director