Anticipated Outcomes

• Commitment to action and on the issue of overidentification and disproportion in special education while simultaneously addressing the achievement gaps in order to ensure success for all students.

• Involvement of participants in substantive exchange and examination of key issues in overidentification and disproportionate representation.

• Identification of the most relevant contributing factors and recognition by participants of the actions that must be undertaken to improve student achievement.

• Delineation of the broad focus areas that must be addressed by a school, the district, and the community in order to close the achievement gaps.

• Identification of ongoing supports for dialogue and partnerships that contribute to short-term awareness and long-term solutions and the development of action plans that focus on research-to-practice, policy, and partnerships.

• Development of action plans designed to continue the dissemination of information, facilitate ongoing dialogue, and ensure steps toward implementation of effective strategies at the: 1) local level by teams from local school districts; 2) state policy and governance level by a state leadership team; and 3) teacher preparation level by a state leadership team including institutes of higher education.