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The mission of the Elementary and Middle Schools Technical Assistance Center (EMSTAC) is to identify and meet the technical assistance needs of elementary and middle schools to improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities. The goal of EMSTAC is to develop a comprehensive technical assistance approach that can be used nationwide.
EMSTAC offers a free online, interactive training program for school and district professionals. The information, tools, and materials are intended to provide guidance to local school professionals as they implement interventions and programs within their settings. Professionals who complete the ten-module program continue their partnership with EMSTAC as "EMSTAC Linking Agents". Linking Agents have access EMSTAC support materials including chat events, threaded discussions, research-based products, and a national network of Linking Agents.
Linking Agents promote school improvement by helping their districts implement research-based practices, and act as catalysts for change. They help their school and district to evaluate problems and needs, identify solutions, and critically reflect on their own organizations and practices. They are essential to the success of their districts and the mission of EMSTAC.
Products
Product Listing
These products are available to Linking Agents through the password-protected section of the EMSTAC website and can be downloaded. Traditional EMSTAC products typically provide research highlights, strategies and models, case studies, tips, and frequently asked questions. EMSTAC Linking Agents have access to these materials via the EMSTAC Website. Current and future products include:
- Reading Instruction for
Students with Disabilities
- Literacy Instruction for
Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- English Language
Development/English as a Second Language
- Social Skills Instruction
and Schoolwide Discipline
- Selecting an Intervention
or Program: A Guide for Education Personnel
- Addressing the Challenges
of Autism: Research Findings and Promising Practices
- Study Skills: Information
and Strategies for Education Professionals
- Everyone Wins: Accessing
the General Education Curriculum in Various Settings (in
press)
- Addressing the Challenges
of Disproportionality: Research Findings and Promising
Practices (in press)
- Strategies to Help
Districts Collect Evaluation Data (in press)
- A Qualitative Description
of Collaborative Teams in Today's Classroom (in press)
The "A-ha" Guide to Maximizing School
Resources: Tips and Suggestions (in press)
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visit our Web site!
Resources
Electronic EMSTAC Products
Information technology has changed our perceptions regarding products and materials. We are able to package information in electronic formats such as Listservs and Chat Events. The following EMSTAC forums represent innovative EMSTAC products.
La-Exchange: EMSTAC Listserv has approximately 80 registrants and serves as a forum for information exchange for Linking Agents and other EMSTAC partners.
Bulletin Board: This electronic product is organized topically according to the messages posted on the board, and is accessible to EMSTAC partners through the restricted-access section of the EMSTAC website.
EMSTAC Chat Events: We schedule real-time chat events every six weeks and select topics for these events based upon the needs and interests of Linking Agents. Recognized leaders in the field or Linking Agents themselves often facilitate these events. Transcripts of the events are available via the restricted-access component of the EMSTAC website or in hard copy format. The following transcripts are available:
- Reducing Behavioral Referrals, Suspensions, and Expulsions: The Use of Social Skills Training and Other Behavioral Interventions in the Classroom
- Using Co-Teaching and Teaming Strategies to Facilitate Inclusion for Students with Disabilities
- PAM: Prereferral Assessment Model
- Literacy Interventions for Elementary and Middle Schools
- Conducting a Needs Assessment at the Local Level
- Spring Forward: First Steps as a New Linking Agent
- Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners
- Behavioral Interventions and Strategies
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