Welcome: Mary Vaughan welcomed the group.

Bruce Schroeder asked if anyone had used the "yogisms" from last month’s meeting. He called attention to several articles in the November Utah Special Educator focusing on parent and student participation in decision making.

Tracy Stewart gave an update on the Mentors. In October Randy Shelble taught them peer-coaching on Thursday and on Friday the Mentors participated with BEST/CCBD/CEC conference. In November the Mentors will attend the Inclusion conference as their monthly training.

Jennie Gibson passed out the "Special Education Basic Information for Parents" handout. Parents are so involved in the emotional aspects of their child’s disability that they don’t know where to turn for help. The handout lists organizations with phone numbers that offer help to parents. UPC is there to help as well. Jennie said she will make a "master" for each district with appropriate district name that you could copy and give out. Just let her know if you want one.

Donna Suter filled in for Ken Reavis. Tim McConnell talked about the Inclusion Conference (Nov 12-13). This is the first really big inclusion conference. There will be a dinner Thursday night with a Western Buffet and the "Cow Daddys" will entertain. . Next year they will be going back to regional conference for inclusion. He also reported about the Autism training for district teams. Participants have been using the information and taking it back to their schools. They started with the basics and that seems to work best for the most people

Dale Sheld reported that the LD Annual Conference was going today at the Provo Marriott. He also updated the consortium on participation in the interpreter training, paying for 7 slots for that conference which will be distance ed. Participants will help train other interpreters when they are through.

MaeTaylor-Sweeten gave an update on the monitoring by the Office of Special Education (OSEP). They will be coming again in two weeks to visit districts and sites. Mae handed out a Special Education Comment Form and asked the consortium to fill it out and leave it with her or fax it to her. This handout shows the areas OSEP is looking at and will be used in every conference in the next little while to gather information. Eight people from OSEP will be coming the first week in Dec. OSEP will gather info and data and compile list of findings. 3rd visit will be when they come and tell us what we need to do (state improvement plan). She announced that Donna Suter will take over the leadership of the instate monitoring program. The new position at the state office will be re-opened (transition specialist). She also mentioned the success of the regional preschool conferences. More people have been able to participate in regional setting.

Bruce Schroeder reviewed information for the Paraeducator Conference on Friday and Saturday, November 13-14 for Marilyn Likins.

Univeristy of Utah: Jack Mayhew said that the headquarters of American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) has been at the University of Utah, but that Kansas State University is now in charge. It is the only national organization that focuses on rural issues. The national convention will be next March in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Brigham Young University: Tina Dyches said that BYU is revising their program. They are trying to recruit more people into their area. Undergraduates can get a dual certification. They are also targeting people who want to get more training by offering a one-year program as well as their master’s program. They have completed a CD-ROM on working with kids with disabilities called "WHAT IS BEST FOR MATTHEW?" This will be available in January. Tina also made a presentation to Mae from the MRDD Association of the John W. Kidd Subdivision Award which the local chapter received for increasing membership and involvement. She presented it to Mae to display at the state office.

Bruce Schroeder gave an update on the state improvement grant. The outcome will not be known until January. If the grant is received, 75% of the funding will go towards personnel development. One of the objectives will be to make connections with many of the programs that are now in place across the state.

Donna Suter introduced Dr. Gary Clark. He has been a professor of special education in Kansas, active in field of transition for a long time, written numerous books and articles, co-author of transition inventory available through PRO Ed and is currently at USOE until May.

Dr. Gary Clark presented a keynote on student participation in the IEP decision making process. He referred to the November Utah Special Educator article he wrote. Involvement of parents was included right from the beginning of legislation but not the student Involvement comes in three phases: before, during and after IEP meeting. Before IEP participation, students need to feel like they are important and have something to offer. Questions about their lives that will help in IEP process. We need to ask the right questions. Anytime an adult takes the time to really talk to kids, they get the message that you care. It also communicates to the kids that not all IEPs are alike. There is a requirement in IDEA 97 that says you have invited the student to participate in the IEP meeting (14 and older). During the meeting they can participate in planning and decision-making process. And after the meeting (weakest area) the kids can be involved by periodically asking them about where they are and how they feel they are meeting their goals. It is a way to help teach assessment skill. We need to be committed to having students participate.

Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 11:45 am. The next meeting will be December 4 at the Provo Marriott in Provo.