Project Abstract

The Inclusive Network of Kansas (INKS) addresses the need for customized field-based technical assistance and professional development for teams across Kansas, who develop and implement educational programming for students with severe / low-incidence disabilities.  INKS utilizes evidence-based practices while conducting technical assistance, professional development, and continuous improvement evaluation activities.  Project goals for Year Three (2007-2008) include:

Goal 1:  Provide field-based technical assistance in response to requests for individual student assistance, programmatic consultations, and building / district-level field-based professional development, in the content areas of:  (1) severe disabilities, including deaf-blindness; (2) Kansas alternate assessment; and (3) positive behavior support for students with low-incidence disabilities who have problem behavior and significant support needs.

Goal 2:  Create and maintain effective structures and procedures to enact the activities of the Inclusive Network of Kansas.

Goal 3:  Provide field-based professional development activities focused on the needs of INKS’ field-based consultants, and the educational team members whom they are mentoring or coaching, that correspond to the KSDE results-based accountability performance levels; i.e., awareness / knowledge; demonstration/ application, and impact.

Goal 4:  Maintain existing partnerships with IHEs involved in low-incidence personnel preparation efforts, as well as with the KSDE Deaf-Blind Project, and maintain and expand collaborative partnerships with KSDE’s KSTARS projects (e.g., Kansas Instructional Supports Network (KISN), Project SPOT) and other severe / low incidence disabilities stakeholders (e.g., Kansas Deaf-Blind Consortium, KISN-facilitated Autism Consortium) to enhance the statewide impact of INKS’ field-based technical assistance and  professional development activities.

Goal 5:  Improve field-based technical assistance and field-based professional development processes (inputs) and outcomes (outputs) based on continuous improvement and results-based evaluations.