What's New

News You Can Use
Spring 2008

—Up Front and Center—

The Social Security Administration has just announced the release of Social Security Update--a newsletter designed to keep you up to date about Social Security issues that may be of interest to you. To read the inaugural issue, simply click here www.socialsecurity.gov/newsletter.

The Social Security Administration also offers information in Spanish. To see what is available go to: www.socialsecurity.gov/español

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—The Federal Framework—

The Federal Register has a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Revisions to the regulations would clarify permissible disclosures to parents of eligible students and conditions that apply to disclosures in health and safety emergencies; clarify permissible disclosures of student identifiers as directory information; allow disclosures to contractors and other outside parties in connection with the outsourcing of institutional services and functions; revise the definitions of attendance, disclosure, education records, personally identifiable information, and other key terms; clarify permissible redisclosures by state and federal officials; and update investigation and enforcement provisions. 

Comments on the proposed regulations are due on or before May 8th.

To access the Federal Register notice, go to:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5790.pdf

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—TA&D Spotlight—

From the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
Two new multimedia presentations and recorded webinars are now available on the following topics.

• Implementing Professional Development Strategies with Direct Service Providers Using Positive Behavior Supports, available at:
  www.nectac.org/~calls/2008/sec619/call2.asp

• Professional Development and Inclusion: A Definition and Framework to Guide Cross-Sector Planning, available at:
  http://www1.fpg.unc.edu/community/npdci/pd/webinar-march2008/index.cfm

From the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt)
A Cultural, Linguistic, and Ecological Framework for Response to Intervention with English LanguageLearners
The focus of this brief is to provide an initial framework in the use of RTI that considers students’ life experiences, including their language proficiencies in their first and second language, as well as the contexts in which they are taught. To read the brief, go to: http://nccrest.org/Briefs/Framework_for_RTI.pdf

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—The 3Rs: Research, Reports, & Resources—

Research

From the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
WWC is continuing its review of research in the area of dropout prevention by releasing a new intervention report. Job Corps is a federally funded education and job training program offering support to economically disadvantaged youth including remedial education, GED preparation, vocational training, and job placement assistance. See the WWC rating of Job Corps and read the report at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/dropout/jobcorps/ .

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From the Education Sector
Rush to Judgment: Teacher Evaluation in Public Education
This report examines the causes and consequences of the crisis in teacher evaluation, as well as its implications for the current national debate about performance pay for teachers. To read the report, go to: www.educationsector.org/research/research_show.htm?doc_id=656300.

From the National Council on Disability
This report from January 28, 2008 analyzes the progress of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It reports that NCLB and IDEA have had a significant, positive impact. The report states, "students with disabilities appear to be doing better academically, and they also appear to be graduating with diplomas and certificates at higher rates than in prior years. Data suggests, however, that there is still cause for concern about the dropout levels of students with disabilities nationwide..." The report is available in different formats at: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/index.htm.

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From the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC)
Inclusive Schools Network (ISN)
This new web-based resource for families, schools and communities helps promote inclusive educational practices. This resource has grown out of Inclusive Schools Week and with the development of ISN, educators and families around the world will have a year-round resource to facilitate networking and resource-sharing around inclusive educational practices. To learn more, go to: www.inclusiveschools.org.

FreeFrom the Washington Learning Systems
Ddownload free materials to promote early literacy skills to use with infants and children up to age 3. The kits feature dozens of activities appropriate for children with disabilities and those who are developing typically. Each includes a description of the activity as well as hints for making the activity fun and developmentally appropriate. The materials—available in English and Spanish—focus on language development, sounds and rhythm skills, and general book and print awareness. The kits are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and are available at: www.walearning.com/Guide.html.

From the Foundation for Child Development
Challenging Common Myths About Young English Language Learners
This new policy brief challenges six common myths about young children who are learning English as their second language. Research evidence from a variety of disciplines is presented. It is available online at: www.fcd-us.org/resources/resources_show.htm?doc_id=669789 .

From the Laruent Clerc National Deaf education Center
Thhe Clerc Center has a wealth of information on transition topics including: travel training, voaction rehabilitation, and resources in Spanish. to read more about the newest additions to their transition series, go to: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/Transition/.

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—Upcoming Conferences—

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Exhibition, 2008 April 2-5, 2008 Arlington, VA www.cec.sped.org National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) Annual Conference: Taking Leaders to New Heights in Salt Lake City April 2-5, 2008 Denver, CO 80222 http://ncsmonline.org/ Addressing Challenging Behavior - Supporting Young Children's Social/Emotional Development April 2-5, 2008 Clearwater Beach, FL www.addressingchallengingbehavior.org Middle Level Essentials Conference April 4-5, 2008 Minneapolis, MN www.nmsa.org National Council of Teachers of Mathematics(NCTM) Conference: Becoming Certain About Uncertainty April 9-12, 2008 Salt Lake City, UT www.nctm.org/annual Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities April 14-15, 2008 Honolulu, HI www.pacrim.hawaii.edu Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet)'s Biannual Conference: Putting the Pieces Together April 15-18, 2008 Columbus, OH pepnet-south@utk.edu National Head Start Association (NHSA) Annual Conference: A Bright Future for Every Child April 20-24, 2008 Nashville, TN www.nhsa.org/training/annual_conference/35th/ The 2008 Mobility Planning Services Institute April 21-24, 2008 Washington, DC www.projectaction.org

Stages of Autism: Adolescence and Beyond April 23-24, 2008 Ontario,Canada www.austim-woodview.com Coalition for Community Schools National Forum 2008 April 30-May 2, 2008 Portland, OR ccs@iel.org  Secondary Transition State Planning Institute May 7-9, 2008 Charlotte, NC www.nsttac.org Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Exhibition, 2008 April 2-5, 2008 Arlington, VA www.cec.sped.org National ADA Symposium and Expo May 12-14, 2008 St. Louis, MO www.adasymposium.org American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Conference May 28-30, 2008 Washington, DC www.aaidd.org Easter Seal's Project ACTION People on the Move Training June 2-3, 2008 Washington, DC projectaction@easterseals.com Evidence-based Practice: Literacy, Language, and AAC  June 13-14, 2008 Pittsburgh, PA www.aacinstitute.org

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Past News You Can Use: 2008

Past News You Can Use: 2006

Past News You Can Use: 2005

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