Keys to Successful Learning is sponsored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) in partnership with The Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. Originally broadcast live: Thursday, May 6 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EDT) and Friday, May 7 (9 a.m. - 12 noon EDT)

You can now view video of the entire two day event. Please note that in order to view the following videos, you need to have both downloaded and then also installed the RealMedia G2 player. See technical info at the bottom of this page. DAY ONE SESSIONS (Thursday, May 6, 1999): Welcome & Opening Remarks (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) - Research in learning disabilities holds enormous promise in helping to identify effective teaching practices for all children. This summit is designed to identify proven strategies to enhance student learning, and to explore ways to move these practices into our nation's classrooms. Implications for legislation and policy, professional development, and teaching practice is discussed. Speakers: Anne Ford, Chairman, National Center for Learning Disabilities James H. Wendorf, Executive Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities What do We Know About Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities? (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) - Speakers provide an overview of current major research initiatives that are designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about instructional practices that enhance learning. Specific mention will be made of different types of research and how each can be useful in guiding policy decisions and teacher teaching, and in informing classroom practice. Moderator: Larry Silver, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC Speakers: Duane F. Alexander, M.D., Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health Thomas Hehir, Ed.D., Director, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education Russell M. Gersten, Ph.D., Professor, University of Oregon, College of Education, Dept. of Educational Leadership, Technology & Administration Sharon Vaughn, Ph.D., Mollie Villeret Davis Professor in Learning Disabilities, and Director, Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts Moving Research into the Hands of Educators: Practices that Enhance Student Learning (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) - Speakers share research findings in reading, written expression, and higher order thinking skills, and cite successful examples of how research has been translated into classroom practice. Implications for initial teacher preparation and ongoing professional development is discussed. Speakers: Steve Graham, Ph.D., Professor, University of Maryland, Dept. of Special Education Donald D. Deshler, Ph.D., Director, University of Kansas, Center for Research on Learning Joseph K. Torgesen, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology & Education, Florida State University, Center for the Study of Reading Policy Levers for Learning: "Capital Gang" (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) In a dynamic "Capital Gang" format, challenging questions are posed to Members of Congress about how Federal policy can be used to support research-based practices. Moderator: Al Hunt, Executive Washington Editor, The Wall Street Journal, and Dow Jones & Company, Washington, D.C. Invited Panelists: Senator William H. Frist (R-TN) Representative William F. Goodling (R-PA) Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Representative Anne Northup (R-KY) Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Representative John E. Porter (R-IL) Reading, Writing, and Higher Order Learning: Research-based Practice in Action (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) This session will showcase examples of how educators have successfully implemented research-based practices in the classroom. Moderator: Louisa Cook Moats, Ed.D., Project Director, DCPS/NICHD Early Intervention Project Speakers: Karen R. Harris, Ph.D., Distinguished Scholar-Teacher & Professor, University of Maryland, Department of Special Education Susan Woodruff, Teacher Consultant, Muskegon High School Phyllis Hunter, Reading Manager, Houston Independent School District Panelists: Steve Graham, Ph.D., Professor, University of Maryland, Dept. of Special Education Donald D. Deshler, Ph.D., Director, University of Kansas, Center for Research on Learning Joseph K. Torgesen, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology & Education, Florida State University, Center for the Study of Reading Where Do We Go from Here? (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) A frank discussion with leaders from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health about the future of research, funding, and professional development. Moderator: Sheldon H. Horowitz, Ed.D., Director, Professional Services, National Center for Learning Disabilities Speakers: G. Reid Lyon, Ph.D., Chief, Child Development & Behavior Branch, National Institute of Children Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health Judith Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Programs, U.S. Dept. of Education DAY TWO SESSIONS (Thursday, May 7, 1999): Welcome and Opening Remarks (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) Federal policies play a critical role in supporting state and local initiatives to move research-based instruction into the classroom. Speakers: Anne Ford, Chairman, National Center for Learning Disabilities Carol Rasco, Director of America Reads, and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education State and Local Districts That Are Making It Work: Part I (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) Open discussions with representatives from states where research has influenced decision making about curriculum frameworks, professional development, and teacher certification. Moderator: Carol Jenkins, Carol Jenkins & Co. Speakers: Larry Gloeckler, Deputy Commissioner for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, New York State Department of Education Alan Hoffmeister, Ph.D., Director, Technology Division, Utah State University State and Local Districts That Are Marking It Work: Part II (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) Expanded panel discussion with teacher training professionals from around the country who are making research-based instruction a reality. Moderator: Carol Jenkins, Carol Jenkins & Co. Panelists: Debbie Houston, Administrator, Exceptional Student Education Program and Development Services, Florida Education Center Douglas Fuchs, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education, Co-Director of the Institute on Education & Learning, John F. Kennedy Center, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University Carl Skordahl, Director of Special Education, Educational Service Center, Osseo Area Schools Bonnie Grossen, Ph.D., Research Associate, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon Where Do We Go From Here? (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) Opening with reflections about key issues discussed at the Summit, participants from the audience will be encouraged to identify challenges and to formulate next steps toward solutions in bridging the gap between research and teaching practice. Moderator: Mark J. Griffen, Ph.D., Headmaster, Eagle Hill School, Greenwich, Connecticut; Honorary Chairman, Professional Advisory Board, NCLD Closing Remarks (CLICK TO VIEW THIS SESSION - USING THE REALMEDIA SOFTWARE) NCLD will continue its efforts to ensure that information about research-based instructional practice is made available through the educational community. Speaker: James H. Wendorf, Executive Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities  To view this event - you need the free RealMedia G2 player software (note: it is the new G2 version) installed on your computer. You can download it here; then after downloading, simply click on the downloaded program to run the automatic installation. Obviously, you will also need to have speakers on your computer in order to enjoy the audio with the video. If you have questions, you can send email to: Support@ConnectLive.com

EVENT DESCRIPTION:
While there is a vast body of research about how to teach children with learning disabilities successfully, this information is neither reaching teachers nor being implemented in classrooms. Despite their cries for help, the vast majority of teachers are not aware of research-based practices that can ensure that all children - including those with learning disabilities - receive the very best education.

Given that 15-20 percent of all children have difficulties learning in their early school years, this research has enormous implications for policy-makers, university faculty involved in teacher preparation, school administrators, and classroom educators. Incorporating this research into classroom practice would almost certainly reduce referrals to special education, as well as the costs incurred to provide appropriate services to children in our nation's schools.

The Summit brought together local, state, and national decision-makers from across the country in an interactive forum to share information and plan next steps in bridging the gap between research and practice.