PPS & Partner Professional Development

Join Portland Public Schools, and its partners in two half-day professional development workshops.

Workshop #1:
Michele M. Mazzocco, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

“Mathematical Learning Difficulties in School Age Children”

This workshop will focus on the primary characteristics of school-age children (mostly elementary and middle school, with implications for high school) who have mathematical learning difficulties. The objective of this workshop is to familiarize the participants with the cognitive and environmental contributors to mathematical difficulties, particularly those that can be targeted for child assessment, instruction, or teacher preparation. These objectives will be achieved through lecture, limited video reviews, and a discussion of select cases and research findings.

Workshop #2:
Samuel O. Ortiz, Ph.D.
St. John’s University
New York, NY

“Assessment of English language learners in specific learning disabilities: language development, difference, and disorder”

Participants in this workshop will learn about the challenges in evaluating English learners (K–12) and current methods typically employed with diverse populations, including modified or adapted testing, use of a translator or interpreter, nonverbal assessment, and native language assessment. Via lecture, demonstration, and case studies, this workshop will provide instruction in the use of the C-LIM and its application in addressing the issue of “difference versus disorder” by permitting systematic examination of the validity of test results. By being able to evaluate the influence of cultural and linguistic variables on test performance, participants will be able to establish validity and offer defensible, equitable interpretations. Participants will receive guidance on proper use of the approach, its limitations, and advanced issues in evaluating the influence of cultural and linguistic variables on test performance.

Click here for details.