Under a contract with the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Education, Special Education Programs, Miner and Associates, Inc., provided leadership and technical assistance in the establishment of a hearing screening and testing program that creates/builds local capacity in developing sustainability of the program over time.

• Development of implementation policies and procedures for a Nation-wide hearing screening and testing program of children and students in the early childhood programs and public and private schools.
• Equipment, professional development activities and practicum as well as supervision were provided to hearing screening technicians and audiometrists.
• Training and reference manuals were developed and used in training.
• Teacher and parent pamphlets were developed explaining hearing loss, impact on education and social development, and included suggestions for addressing the educational and social needs of students with hearing loss.
• Development of an audiometric calibration lab with equipment and training of technicians.

Ensured hearing screening technicians and audiometrists are competent in conducting reliable pure tone hearing screening and tests and tympanometry. Ensured audiometrists are competent in interpreting results of hearing screenings and testing. Established local capacity to ensure hearing testing equipment is maintained and calibrated to international standards.

Hearing Screening on Majuro, RMI

Tympanometry being done on Ebeye, RMI.

Under a contract with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Education, Special Education Programs, Miner and Associates, Inc., provided leadership and technical assistance in building local capacity to institute a sustainable Nation-wide Hearing Screening and testing program.

• Formulated implementation policies and procedures for a hearing screening and testing program of children and students in the early childhood programs and public schools of each FSM State, i.e., Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap.
• Provided hearing screening and testing equipment.
• Created and delivered professional development activities and practicum to hearing screening technicians and audiometrists.
• Onsite supervision in each State was provided to State hearing screening technicians and audiometrists to ensure reliable hearing screenings and testing.
• Training and reference manuals were developed and used in training.

Ensured hearing screening technicians and audiometrists are competent in conducting reliable pure tone hearing screening and testing as well as tympanometry.

Tympanometry being conducted on Yap, FSM

Ensured Audiometrists are competent in interpreting results of pure tone hearing tests and tympanometry.

Under a contract with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Ministry of Education, Special Education Programs, Miner and Associates, Inc., provided a four day workshop to RMI Ministry Special Education Specialists.

• The Workshop focused on writing better comprehensive and legal statements of “Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance” (PLAAFP) for students receiving special education services.
• The Workshop provided information and practice in regards to the relationship of the PLAAFP Statement and the annual goals of special education services for the student.
• Follow-up meetings with the workshop attendees were held six to eight months following the workshop to provide further clarifications and guidance as necessary in writing PLAAFP statements for students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

PLAAFP statements written by workshop attendees into IEPs are now consistent with best practices and legal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Under a contract with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Ministry of Education, Special Education Programs, Miner and Associates, Inc., developed a communications seminar to RMI Ministry Special Education Specialists. 

• The Seminar focal point was on coaching and communicating with school principals, teachers and family members regarding special education processes and forms as well as in writing IEPs for students identified as needing special education services.
• Follow-up meetings with the workshop attendees were held six to eight months following the workshop to provide further support and guidance as requested by the Ministry of Education and the attendees.

There is demonstrably better communication between central office staff, school staff, and families.

Miner and Associates, Inc., as a subcontractor to San Diego State University and the Republic of Palau (ROP) Ministry of Education, Special Education Services, provided leadership and mentoring in support to the ROP Special Education Services’ program review and enhancement strategies.

• Provided instruction and guidance along with field practicum in monitoring special education requirements in the Schools of the ROP.
• On-site program review/technical assistance visit to the MOE Special Education Program was provided.
• Three on-site program review/technical assistance visits took place that targeted six schools for compliance monitoring and program enhancement.
• A completed Monitoring Report with specific areas of non-compliance and corrective action/improvement plans was provided to the MOE following each of the three on-site monitoring/technical assistance visits.

A review of Progress Reports was carried out during each on-site visit to ensure corrective actions were being implemented and these actions resulted in enhancements of the special education services in the respective schools.

Under a contract with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Education, Special Education Programs, an Oticon Foundation Grant and Republic of Marshall Island (RMI) Ministry of Education, Miner and Associates, Inc., built local capacity for the  establishment of a hearing testing equipment calibration lab on Pohnpei, FSM, and Majuro, RMI.

• Provided the necessary calibration equipment.
• Produced training materials for calibration technicians.
• Provided training and practicum to two FSM and two RMI Staff in calibrating audiometers and tympanometers.

• By establishing the lab on Pohnpei,and one on Majuro, the National Offices can provide annual calibration checks and adjustments with all hearing screening and testing equipment of FSM and RMI.
• Resulting in the respective entities now able to co-locate within the region their equipment for calibration.