New York - McGraw-Hill Education's Intervention & Special Needs Center, which addresses drop-out prevention and ensures struggling students get the instruction they need, today announced it will be hosting the First Annual Intervention Summit Series to address programs and strategies that effectively support students with diverse learning needs including skill deficits in reading, math and science. The multi-city Intervention Summit Series includes two-day events in Dallas, Orlando and Chicago throughout the months of April and May. Experts in the education field from across the country, including authors, professors and consultants will gather at each event to discuss the implementation and instruction of intervention programs in elementary and secondary schools, providing teachers and other educators with new concepts to bring back to their classrooms and schools.

The Intervention Summits' elementary and secondary sessions will feature sessions on a wide range of topics including:
- Response to Intervention
- Supporting English Language Learners
- Effective Science, Reading and Math Intervention
- Differentiating Instruction
- Data Analysis and Small Group Instruction

Nationally recognized education experts will speak about some of the most difficult intervention challenges for today's educators. For instance, a session will be held on the distinction between learning characteristics and learning disabilities in culturally and linguistically diverse learners, providing a foundation for an appropriate response to intervention model.  In addition, a session on the implementation of differentiating instruction will discuss the challenges faced by teachers in managing both whole class and small group instruction. This presentation will provide educators with evidence-based routines and procedures that increase student engagement, create opportunities for collaborative and independent practice and provide time daily for teachers to meet with students in small groups for high quality, skill-focused instruction.

"We are proud to lead the national intervention dialogue and provide educators with solutions to effectively teach struggling students," said Arthur Griffin, senior vice president of McGraw-Hill School Education Group's Urban Advisory Resource. "At our Intervention Summit Series, renowned education experts will offer valuable strategies and insights for better managing the challenges of guiding students with special learning needs throughout their academic careers."

Several presentations at the Intervention Summit Series will discuss the Response to Intervention (RtI) method, a scientifically based process of ongoing assessment and intervention to monitor student performance and provide early assistance to those students falling behind academically.  Discussions will focus on ways to effectively evaluate the implementation of RtI at the elementary and middle school level, and how the RtI method can enhance instruction of subjects including math and adolescent literacy among students with special needs. 

The Intervention Summit Series will take place on the following dates in Dallas, Orlando and Chicago:
Dallas: Thursday, April 8 through Friday, April 9, 2010
Omni Hotel: Dallas Park West
90 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75234

Orlando: Thursday, April 15 through Friday, April 16, 2010
Omni Hotel
1500 Masters Boulevard
Champions Gate, Florida 33896

Chicago: Monday, May 17 through Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Avenues Hotel
160 East Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611