Welcome: Ted Kelly welcomed everyone to consortium.

ULRC: Bruce Schroeder welcomed Davalee Miller back from family leave.

Davalee Miller gave an update on the Utah Mentor Teacher Academy (UMTA). Anita Archer was the guest for the March UMTA and taught effective instruction. Marilyn Friend came to the February UMTA and gave instruction on the topic of Co-Teaching. Marilyn Sprick will be presenting in May on Adapting Instruction. The UMTA applications for next year’s mentors will be mailed out in April to the Special Education Directors. They need to be returned by the middle of May.

Randy Schelbe introduced the March issue of the Utah Special Educator. Principle 5: Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is the theme of this issue. She asked the consortium to share ideas for topics for the next year’s issues.

Tracy Stewart reported on the Precision Teaching training that was held on March 4-5. Eight schools sent teams for two days of PT training given by Peggy Anderson and Richard West. On March 3, the PT committee hosted five out of state PT experts for a conference planning meeting in preparation for the International Precision Teaching Conference on November 4-5, 1999.

UTAH PARENT CENTER: Helen Post reported on their Parent Conference held last week (March 19-20). They had 300 families attend. She passed out a calendar of upcoming events and flyers. Helen also passed out the USBEACH nomination forms.

Tim McConnell reported on a successful Peer Conference held March 25-26. He passed out survey results of teacher comments about inclusion. He also announced the last autism training will be held in April.

Dale Sheld said that 7 of 10 conference slots are filled for the Intermountain Special Studies Institute on June 7-11 in Pocatello, ID. They still need 3 more slots available if districts have someone who is interested.

Brenda Broadbent reported on the March 10 meeting debriefing regional preschool conferences. She handed out the schedule for the next year’s regional conferences, with a new region added to the existing six.

Nan Gray said that the Transition Regional Conference in southern Utah was successful. The northern Utah conference is coming up. Next year the USOE will sponsor a statewide conference. She said she needs districts to participate in "Steps to Self-Determination" program (contact Gary Clark if interested). Another program offered is NEXTSEP. Contact Nan Gray or Gary Clark for more information.

Deb Andrews said the next BEST Institute will be in May with Jo Mascoro scheduled to present. Applications are available for next year’s track. She also "called for papers" for the Oct 21-22, 1999 BEST Conference.

Donna Suter had handouts available for ABLE Profile training on April 15-16 and April 29-30, in Salt Lake at Crystal Inn. Contact Donna for more information.

Brigham Young University: Richard Young reported that there are changes in the certification program at BYU. It is an intensive 4-semester program. There are 60 students starting the program in the spring. They are recruiting for their Master’s Program.

University of Utah: Beth Tolbert reported that the new department chair is Marshall Welch. She said they are interested in partnerships with schools.

Utah State University: Richard West announced the 22nd Annual Interventions Conference June 14-18. He told about the creation of the Center for the School of the Future to nurture local partnerships with schools.

CEC: Joyce Barnes announced that there will be a Utah Dinner at Silver Cricket at the National CEC Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 14-17.

Peggy Milligan reminded the audience of the Utah Federation Spring Conference on Saturday, March 27, 1999.

Bruce Schroeder announced that we have conditional approval for the SIG grant. It ties into the Utah Agenda. Consortium played a key role in pursuing the grant. Induction and retention are a key part of the grant. 18 states received grants. Bruce also handed out a survey to determine district needs for personnel.

Vicki Ahlstrom announced a conference in Southern Utah at Bryce Valley High School on April 23, 1999.

Gordon Gibb, BYU, presented their CD-ROM program "What’s Best for Matthew?" This program is designed to help both preservice and inservice teachers learn to create quality IEPs. The program is available through Allyn & Bacon and the cost is approx. $20.

Arlene Brockbank, Millard District, presented information for using technology with the IEP programs. All IEPs are written on a computer database and linked to the server at the district office. The Special Ed Director only has access to all files and can audit files and assists teachers who need additional help with their IEPs. She used File Maker Pro to create the database.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.