Did anyone here attend FCPS's Special Education Conference yesterday? Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

How was it?

[Anonymous]

It was great the lectures went well

[Anonymous]

We did not go yesterday as we have been many times before. In the past, we found most of the seminars to be at the basic information stage (or just beyond it), so if you are new at it and fairly new (2-3 years in) there would be additional information to glean. It was very helpful when we were at those stages. Some years I have just gone for the keynote speaker and that has always been worth it.

[Anonymous]

The keynote speaker was great! The workshops were great and the exhibits were great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The keynote speaker was great! The workshops were great and the exhibits were great

You thought so? I was really disappointed. He just touched the surface of neuroplasticity and spent the rest of the time talking about his cognitive program which is being used in select FCPS schools. He went on to talk about how effective it was, especially for low income kid, how FCPS had paid him to develop curricula for K-2, etc. Yet, no mention was made of which schools had it and when the rest of us would get it. He didn't even take any questions afterwards. I was left thinking WTF was the point of him being the keynote speaker? I didn't learn anything new, there was nothing motivating about his speech and basically had to listen to a shill about a product that my school and kids weren't 'special' enough to get - yet my tax dollars are paying for it. It was a major dud and left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm certainly not the only one who was disappointed by it. DH and I have been attending these conferences for at least 5 years and this is the first time we saw people leaving well before the speaker was finished.

[Anonymous]

I went there too, it's my 2nd time actually. Workshops were great, especially if you are a parent of a preschool or elementary-aged kids. However, I felt that if you are a parent of MS or HS student, there wasn't enough speakers.
I did like the morning session on writing skills led by several OT specialists. The exhibits hall was nice too, learned about several good programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The keynote speaker was great! The workshops were great and the exhibits were great

You thought so? I was really disappointed. He just touched the surface of neuroplasticity and spent the rest of the time talking about his cognitive program which is being used in select FCPS schools. He went on to talk about how effective it was, especially for low income kid, how FCPS had paid him to develop curricula for K-2, etc. Yet, no mention was made of which schools had it and when the rest of us would get it. He didn't even take any questions afterwards. I was left thinking WTF was the point of him being the keynote speaker? I didn't learn anything new, there was nothing motivating about his speech and basically had to listen to a shill about a product that my school and kids weren't 'special' enough to get - yet my tax dollars are paying for it. It was a major dud and left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm certainly not the only one who was disappointed by it. DH and I have been attending these conferences for at least 5 years and this is the first time we saw people leaving well before the speaker was finished.

+1

He also admitted that his program needed more evidence which FCPS is gathering for him. So basically, it's not evidence based yet and FCPS students are guinea pigs. 300 students across the county are utilizing the program and he did not answer what types of students are involved in the student - gen Ed, spec Ed, ESL, etc.

His educational games did not seem any more unique than educational games already available for free at the Apple App Store.


who do we contact to share our concerns and opinions about this speaker?

[Anonymous]

What was his name?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was his name?

Bruce Wexler - http://www.c8sciences.com/about/founders/

[Anonymous]

I have been to this event four times--have to say this was the least favorite one so far. First sessions were in gym separated by curtain--I could hear the other session and the size of the group made it tough to ask questions. Guess its getting more popular...feel like in earlier years I have been able to connect more with speakers and other attendees.

Seems like some speakers are a repeat...which is ok but it was not alot of new info in some cases (Berman, anxiety session, and Black on ASD).

Agree the keynote felt like an infomercial for his company and didn't inspire me or give me an takeaways on things I could do. I would have liked to learn which schools were testing as well.

Lastly--there were a number of session I was interested in that I couldn't see since there were so many choices. I'd rather have shorter sessions with intro on topic and to be able to choose more sessions. Least it would give you intro and resources.

Overall--don't think I'd go back. That said, it is great that FCPS cares enough to keep up with the latest in special education and provide learning to parents and teachers. Just felt earlier years hit the mark more closely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been to this event four times--have to say this was the least favorite one so far. First sessions were in gym separated by curtain--I could hear the other session and the size of the group made it tough to ask questions. Guess its getting more popular...feel like in earlier years I have been able to connect more with speakers and other attendees.

Seems like some speakers are a repeat...which is ok but it was not alot of new info in some cases (Berman, anxiety session, and Black on ASD).

Agree the keynote felt like an infomercial for his company and didn't inspire me or give me an takeaways on things I could do. I would have liked to learn which schools were testing as well.

Lastly--there were a number of session I was interested in that I couldn't see since there were so many choices. I'd rather have shorter sessions with intro on topic and to be able to choose more sessions. Least it would give you intro and resources.

Overall--don't think I'd go back. That said, it is great that FCPS cares enough to keep up with the latest in special education and provide learning to parents and teachers. Just felt earlier years hit the mark more closely.

I have to agree. It was my third time and I was not blown away unlike the previous 2. Sessions held at the gym were awful - I couldn't hear a word. Keynote speaker didn't impress me either. Last year we had Ellen Galinsky, it was a very nice talk.

I did appreciate some of the workshops like the Language delays one. As the other poster said, the Exhibits Hall was well-done.

Overall, I am not sure if I'll go back next year, maybe just wait for the slides to be posted. It was also quite a drive for me, took me 40 minutes to get there and another half an hour to find parking.