Event Details
Date/Time/Location
Thursday, March 19, 2026
4:00 – 5:30PM
Online
Training Description
This session will provide an in-depth look at how educators can use systematic instructional strategies to ensure meaningful participation and progress in the general curriculum for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants will learn to apply evidence-based practices—such as task analysis, response prompting systems, time delay, and reinforcement procedures—to meaningfully teach academic skills aligned to grade-level standards. Through a blend of research-to-practice discussion, practical examples, and several video examples, Dr. Mims will demonstrate how to identify the appropriate prompting system, determine individualized controlling prompts and wait times, and use data-based decision-making to enhance student independence. The session will also address strategies for promoting active student engagement, integrating assistive technology, and adapting materials across varying levels of communication and symbolic understanding. Emphasis will be placed on how these systematic instructional approaches can be embedded within inclusive classrooms to promote equitable access, mastery, and meaningful outcomes across academic domains.
Training Objectives
- Identify evidence-based systematic instructional strategies (e.g., task analysis, response prompting, time delay) that promote access to grade-aligned academic content for students with IDD.
- Determine when and how to apply specific prompting procedures based on learner characteristics and targeted skills.
- Implement reinforcement and error correction procedures that increase independence and reduce prompt dependence.
- Use data-based decision-making to monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
- Describe strategies for ensuring that instruction promotes active, independent responses and is aligned with the philosophy of the least dangerous assumption.
- Integrate assistive technology and individualized response modes to maximize participation and communication during instruction.
Target Audience
Teachers and other school professionals
About the Presenter
Pamela J. Mims, PhD
Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Success, Professor of Special Education Clemmer College of Education and Human Development East Tennessee State University
Dr. Pamela J. Mims is a Professor of Special Education and Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Success at East Tennessee State University. Her work focuses on advancing access to grade-aligned academic content for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the use of systematic instruction and technology-supported interventions. Over her career, she has served as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or key personnel on more than $46 million in externally funded projects, including multiple federally funded grants through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Institute for Education Sciences. Dr. Mims has an extensive publication record, with over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and instructional curricula focused on improving academic outcomes for students with significant disabilities. She is a co-author of several nationally disseminated curricula, including the Access English Language Arts series (Attainment Company) and enCORE Elementary Science (TeachTown). Her chapters in Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities (Browder, Spooner, & Courtade, Eds., Guilford Press) continue to shape teacher preparation programs and applied research in the field. She frequently presents both nationally and internationally on topics related to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Mims’ work continues to bridge research and practice, emphasizing the importance of systematic instruction, active engagement, and equitable access to the general curriculum for all learners.
Accommodations
We strive to host accessible events that enable all individuals living in our catchment area* to engage fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Dr. Danielle Liso at 352-265-2241 or card-training@ufl.edu.
*Counties Served by UF CARD: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union
If you live in a different county in Florida, find your CARD here.
Contact
Danielle Liso
card-training@ufl.edu
352-265-2241