AGENDA - Friday, March 6, 2026 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Central time
IDENTIFY examiner qualification levels and describe who is qualified to administer assessments at each level.
IDENTIFY at least three assessments that can be used for monitoring student progress.
DESCRIBE the importance of including audibility information in a functional listening evaluation.
The first of two sessions provides and overview of assessment levels and purposes, commonly used assessments, what they measure, and access considerations. We will also examine which assessments are appropriate for progress monitoring and explain their strengths and limitations for tracking student growth.
Appropriate Assessments for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - Session 1
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Presenter - Mary Shaddox
M.Ed., TODHH, Educational Diagnostician
Mary Shaddox brings over three decades of specialized experience in deaf education and assessment. Since 2016, she has served as an Educational Diagnostician for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, conducting comprehensive evaluations and developing compliant Full Individual Evaluations (FIEs). With a Master of Education in Special Education from Texas Tech University and initial certification as a Teacher of the Deaf from Texas Woman's University, Mary combines deep knowledge of DHH student needs with diagnostic expertise. She spent sixteen years as Coordinator of the Greenville Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, where she oversaw instructional services and ensured quality programming across multiple districts. Currently serving as a Teacher of the Deaf and Educational Diagnostician at Region 10 Education Service Center, Mary provides assessment services and attends ARD meetings to support school districts and charter schools in making informed educational decisions for their DHH students.
AGENDA - Friday, March 6, 2026 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Central time
The continuation of session one - application of knowledge - provides an overview of assessment procedures, purposes, score types, and non-standardized administration. Participants will review sample PLAAFP statements, goals, objectives, and learn how to determine which assessments are most appropriate for that student.
DETERMINE when standard scores provide meaningful information for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
DISTINGUISH between standardized (norm-referenced) and criterion referenced assessments.
CREATE a PLAAFP statement and develop a corresponding goal or objective based on assessment data.
Application of Assessments for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - Session 2
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Mary Shaddox
M.Ed., TODHH, Educational Diagnostician
Mary Shaddox brings over three decades of specialized experience in deaf education and assessment. Since 2016, she has served as an Educational Diagnostician for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, conducting comprehensive evaluations and developing compliant Full Individual Evaluations (FIEs). With a Master of Education in Special Education from Texas Tech University and initial certification as a Teacher of the Deaf from Texas Woman's University, Mary combines deep knowledge of DHH student needs with diagnostic expertise. She spent sixteen years as Coordinator of the Greenville Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, where she oversaw instructional services and ensured quality programming across multiple districts. Currently serving as a Teacher of the Deaf and Educational Diagnostician at Region 10 Education Service Center, Mary provides assessment services and attends ARD meetings to support school districts and charter schools in making informed educational decisions for their DHH students.
Why attend this session?
Time is precious. Assessment is necessary. Knowing what areas to assess, when to assess, and choosing the appropriate assessment for each child is not only part of our jobs, it is critical for developing an appropriate educational plan for each student. There is no time to waste figuring out what to use, where to find it, and how to administer it. Mary is a veteran TODHH and diagnostician who is well-versed in evaluating students from all walks of life. With 30+ years experience, she will be showing us the tools she uses including formal and informal testing instruments, checklists, and more. This won't all be lecture, either. There will be plenty of time for questions.
AGENDA - Saturday, March 7, 2026 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Central time
APPLY AI tools to reduce administrative workload.
DESIGN personalized learning materials efficiently.
DEVELOP practical workflows for classroom management.
Teachers will identify what Chat GPT is as you experience hands-on, guided account setup to begin using AI for instructional and administrative tasks, with privacy in mind; you'll use guided prompt strategies, including conversational input, expert role assignment, prompt proofreading, and more to improve the accuracy and usefulness of AI-generated content for classroom and caseload needs; you'll learn to use AI to automate routine tasks like drafting IEP goal progress notes and generating parent communication templates, saving at least 2-3 hours per week (yeah!); and finally, you'll learn how to use AI to quicky create scaffolded resources and adapted content that meets individual student needs across reading levels and learning modalities.
Time Saving AI Tools for SPED teachers
Presenter - Cynthia Long
National Interpreter Certification; Owner, ASL Teaching Resources
With over three decades of teaching experience and nearly two decades specializing in ASL, Cynthia has seen firsthand how powerful communication can be. She’s a Nationally Certified Interpreter, educator, author, and speaker who understands both the joys and the challenges of inclusive education. Driven by her passion and background as both an educator and a Sign Language Resource Expert, she created ASLTeachingResources.com to give teachers, parents, and speech pathologists reliable, easy‑to‑use tools that make ASL accessible for all skill levels. Her resources help Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and non‑verbal students feel valued, included, and empowered to participate fully.
Why attend this session?
Artificial Intelligence, or "AI", and AI tools for our profession are spreading like wildfire through the educator community. AI has the power to make work more efficient for all of us, but there are so many options out there - you may be overwhelmed by it all. Cynthia has used AI in her business for the last 2-3 years and it has transformed the way she produces content, makes use of her time, and assuages burnout. This is not your typical lecture - in this session, you can follow along as Cynthia takes you through the tools that she uses to make videos, lesson plans, and more!
CONCLUSION - Saturday, March 7, 2026 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Central time
Gain multidisciplinary perspectives on supporting DHH students.
Address real-world challenges through collaborative problem-solving.
Build advocacy skills informed by diverse stakeholder voices.
CEUs offered for ISBE, CTLE, Act 48, RID, and AG Bell. Attendees will also receive a certificate of completion.
Expert Panelists
Cheryl D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Owner | ADEvantage Consulting
Cynthia Long, NIC
Owner | ASL Teaching Resources
Angie (Mom) and Max (Senior) Glass
Parent and Teen duo | Western PA
Michelle Andros, M.Ed.
Director of Professional Development| SSCHL
Why attend this session?
Get answers you can't find in a textbook. Listen to honest, real-world insights on the questions you're actually facing in your classroom from people living and working on the front lines - including a parent and student who can share what educators and service providers often miss. Understand how your role connects with others in a DHH student's life, helping you collaborate more effectively with your team.
DISCOVER
actionable strategies to implement on Monday morning.
GAIN
Insight from a diverse range of expert viewpoints.
ENGAGE
with fellow educators across the states
Don't miss this opportunity to spring forward your professional growth!
Elevate your teaching practice by attending our Spring Up Your Skills Mini-Conference. Gain practical strategies, connect with experts, and earn professional development hours. Remember to use coupon code MC2026F2W at checkout for 40% off your ticket until February 14th!
$97.00