OIEP and the State Department of Education have hosted a number of "Data Retreats" for schools in our service area. OSEC provides further assistance in helping member schools analyze data at the classroom level and to work directly with all faculty to bring meaning to classroom level data. Taking a "One to Few" approach, OSEC seeks to bring grade level and content specialists to small groups of faculty to help them see what the data says about the children they teach.

Based on a concept introduced by Doris Ray, an educator and friend from Main, the Critical Friends approach creates small teams within a school and partners those teams with experienced educational coaches. The coaches assist team members in data analysis, professional development and implementation of new methodologies in the classroom.

Unfortunately, some schools who enter school improvement find themselves in corrective action and often face restructuring. OSEC provides support, guideance and alternatives to changes in school governance. It is not necessary to fire everyone and start again, it is necessary to take a close look at how things are done at your school and make some changes. OSEC can help..

One of the greatest challenges facing schools because of NCLB is creating curriculum that aligns itself with State and Federal core educational standards. Understanding by Design (UBD) is an extensively researched instructional design method that utilizes the standards themselves as instructional goals.

UBD workshops can be arranged through OSEC for one day, two day, or week long sessions. Also, in the spirit of continuous professional development, UBD trainings from OSEC require follow-up sessions to ensure a quality training experience. Such follow-up can be provided in the form of a minimum two-day/year review or a continual mentorship program.

Engaged Learning, a method of instruction based upon the precepts of Constructivist learning theory and endorsed by the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), helps instructors make learning relevant for the learner. More over, engaged learning has been proven to be the most effective approach to teaching technology related skills, skills that all successful students must master, as well as traditional knowledge and skills.

OSEC is able to provide Engaged Learning seminars either in conjunction with UBD training (see above) or as a stand alone PD series. Trainings can range from one day to week long courses. As with the UBD training, OSEC provides follow-up services in the form of either a two-day/year review or a continual mentorship program.