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Past News You Can Use: 2008
- January 2008
- February 2008
- Past News You Can Use: 2007
- Past News You Can Use: 2006
- Past News You Can Use: 2005
- Current News You Can Use
We’re coming into the final stretch in the development and posting of the IDEA 2004 training curriculum based on our nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). So far, 15 of 19 modules have been completed and posted on our Web site at http://www.nichcy.org/training/contents.asp .
We’ve also recently added a very brief User Survey and urge you to please take just a moment and provide us with valuable feedback on the training curriculum. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=N1eWc0qWHY2aYul6drnQ3g_3d_3d
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From the U.S. Department of Education
New “dashboards” available to understand how each state is performing. These reports provide statistics on state and National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores, graduation rates, schools making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), highly qualified teachers, the parents taking advantage of choice and supplemental educational service options, state participation in flexibility options, and more. For more information, go to: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/accountability/results/progress/ .
—TA&D/ Comprehensive Centers Spotlight—
From Project Forum
High School Reform: Integration of Special Education
This In-Brief Policy Analysis is based on interviews with state education and local education representatives from three states regarding strategies for including special education in high school reform efforts; resources; barriers; and recommendations for improving integration of special education in high school reform.
http://projectforum.org/user.cfm?publicationid=400&from=index
EDFacts: Special Education in the New National Education Data System
This In-Depth Policy Analysis begins with a background on the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) development and implementation of a single repository for K-12 education data. It also includes a summary of interviews held with seven state special education directors and/or their data managers along with each state’s EDFacts coordinator to obtain information on the states’ submission of special education data via EDFacts. http://www.projectforum.org/user.cfm?publicationid=399&from=index
Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities: Synthesis of the NCEO Document
This In-Brief Policy Analysis is a synthesis of a National Center on Educational Outcomes study on state graduation policies that also compared the results to three similar, prior NCEO studies. Results are described in the areas of graduation requirements for youth with and without disabilities, diploma options available, state use of exit exams and consequences of graduation requirements and diploma options.
http://www.projectforum.org/user.cfm?publicationid=398&from=index
From The IRISCenter
Need a refresher in Response to Intervention (RTI) strategies? Check the revised IRIS Center web site for the latest in effective online modules. The resources available through IRIS are designed to assist faculty integrate special education into their teacher education curriculum.
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resources.html
From CADRE
Questions and Answers On Procedural Safeguards and Due Process Procedures For Parents and Children With Disabilities ~ January 2007
This is the most recent OSEP Q & A document on Procedural Safeguards.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/qnaprocsafe.cfm
—The 3Rs: Research, Reports, & Resources—
From the NationalCenter for Special Education Research (NCSER)
Facts From NLTS2: Orientation and Mobility Skills of Secondary School Students With Visual Impairments
This report uses data from The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) to present information on the percentages of students with visual impairments who receive orientation and mobility services, including percentages for different segments of the population (blind vs. partially sighted, regular vs. special school placement, and demographic groups). It also discusses the levels of orientation and mobility skills in this population, and factors associated with their skill levels. To read, download, and print the report, go to: http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/pubs/index.asp#20083007
From the NationalCenter for Education Statistics (NCES)
Mathematics Coursetaking and Achievement at the End of High School: Evidence from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002
This report uses data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, to examine the relationship between the number and types of math courses taken in the 11th and 12th grade as well as growth in math proficiency during the same time period. The report is available in PDF format at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/2008319.pdf
From the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
Challenging Behaviors and the Role of Preschool Education
This policy brief looks at the prevalence of challenging behaviors among children in early care and education, discusses the role that preschool education plays in regard to problem behaviors, and provides recommendations to promote better behavioral outcomes. It is available at: http://nieer.org/docs/?DocID=196
The Power of Social Media to Promote Assistive and Learning Technologies
This brief was developed by the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI). It provides a primer on social media and how they work, highlights the benefits of the new social media to promote using assistive and learning technologies for all students and especially for youth with disabilities, and to explores the barriers to using social media and the ways that vendors, developers, and educators can overcome them. A PDF version is available at: http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2008/01/29/power-of-social-media-final/
A New Website Has Just Been Launched
Great Science for Girls: Extension Services for gender Equity in Science Through After-School Programs As part of an NSF funded national initiative. The GSG website is designed to build the capacity of after-school centers and intermediaries to deliver evidence-based programming that will broaden and sustain girls’ interest and persistence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). You can visit the website at: http://gsg.afterschool.org/public/about_gsg.cfm?Size=2
New Online Forum for Teachers
Teachers across the United States will have the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with educators from all over the world through Microsoft Corp.’s Innovative Teachers Network (ITN), a new online forum that promotes the exchange of ideas and methods on how best to incorporate technology into the classroom effectively. Access this resource at: http://us.itn.partnersinlearning.com/thenetwork/pages/welcome.aspx
Disability Program Navigators
Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) work in One-Stop Career Centers around the country. They help people with disabilities "navigate" through the challenges of seeking work. Complex rules surrounding entitlement programs, along with fear of losing cash assistance and health benefits, can often discourage people with disabilities from working. The DPN initiative is funded by The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This Initiative was established to better inform beneficiaries and other people with disabilities about work support programs and help them understand the many programs and services that impact their employment (e.g., transportation, housing, health care, etc.).
To find the Disability Program Navigator in your state, visit DOL's Employment and Training Administration Web site or click on your state in the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov.
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/FindSL.do?categoryId=9
Research and TrainingCenter for Children's Mental Health's 21st Annual Research Conference Learning Disabilities of America (LDA)'s Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference National Youth-At-Risk Conference Annual National Fatherhood and Families Conference Learning Differences Conference: Executive Function in the 21st Century Classroom - Innovatiove Strategies for Student Success Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference Easter Seals Project Action "People on the Move: Using All Transportation Options Training National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center Conference (NAIARC): Strengthening Connections Reinventing Schools: Courageous Leadership for Positive Change - Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Annual Conference Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)'s Annual International Conference and Exhibition: Beyond Standards - Reaching Every Child's Potential
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Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) Conference: The Expanding World of PBS--Science, Values and Vision Parents As Teachers Conference Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Exhibition, 2008 National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) Annual Conference: Taking Leaders to New Heights in Salt Lake City Addressing Challenging Behavior - Supporting Young Children's Social/Emotional Development April 4-5, 2008  Minneapolis, MN www.nmsa.org National Council of Teachers of Mathematics(NCTM) Conference: Becoming Certain About Uncertainty Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet)'s Biannual Conference: Putting the Pieces Together National Head Start Association (NHSA) Annual Conference: A Bright Future for Every Child The 2008 Mobility Planning Services Institute Stages of Autism: Adolescence and Beyond |
Secretary Spellings Invites Eligible States to Submit Innovative Models for Expanded Growth Model Pilot
At the following link, you can get the specific criteria a growth model proposal must meet, review the Department's peer review guidance for the growth model pilot and read previous State proposals. http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/growthmodel/index.html
January is National Mentoring Month!
For more information on this campaign, go to: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy2008/nmm/intro.htm
From United We Ride (UWR)
New fact sheets related to transportation services. UWR is a Federal interagency initiative aimed at improving the availability, quality, and efficient delivery of transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. This work is in response to an Executive Order related to human service transportation coordination, and includes the participation of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) on a Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. Recent Fact Sheets include: United We Ride, Mobility Management, Family of Transportation Services, and Transportation Services Coordination Plan and are available at: http://www.unitedweride.gov/1_1390_ENG_HTML.htm.
—TA&D/ Comprehensive Centers Spotlight—
From the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt)
Equity in Education Placement: An NCCRESt School Self-Assessment Guide for Culturally Responsive Practice
This self-assessment instrument assists elementary school practitioners in creating schools that are culturally responsive in their programming and instruction so that optimal achievement might occur for all students including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The complete assessment package includes: Form A (Administrators), and Form B (Teachers and School Support Personnel). This instrument presents guidelines that will assist schools in providing better programming for students from diverse backgrounds and reducing inappropriate referrals to special education. Both forms are avialable in PDF format at: http://nccrest.org/publications/tools/assessment.html.
From The IRISCenter
- Serving Students with Visual Impairments: The Importance of Collaboration
Third in a series that focuses on students with visual impairments, this movie highlights the importance of collaboration between the general education teacher and other individuals knowledgeable about the needs of students with visual disabilities.
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/v03_focusplay/chalcycle.htm
- Data Management and Graphing Tool
This tool has been added to the module "RTI (Part 4): Putting It All Together." It allows teachers to track progress monitoring data for each student. With it, teachers can set beginning and end goals for their classes and enter each student's progress monitoring scores. The program will automatically generate a graph for each student and calculate the slope. The link to access the Data Management and Graphing Tool is: http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/rti04_alltogether/rti04_02_link_elements.html
CADRE Makes Available Annual Performance Reports (APR)/ State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicator Summaries
The indicator documents posted on CADRE's website are drawn from analyses of SPPs (2004-05) and APRs (2005-06) done by OSEP funded Technical Assistance and Dissemination projects.
- For access to the indicator summaries, please click here:
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/indicatorsummaries.cfm
- For access to state specific reports, please click here:
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/aprsppb.cfm
From The Assessment and AccountabilityComprehensiveCenter
This center is part of the Comprehensive Center Network, and is one of five content centers serving as resources for the 16 regional U.S. Department of Education Comprehensive Centers. The purpose of the comprehensive centers is to provide state education agencies with intensive technical assistance to address the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements and meet student achievement goals. A PDF version of their new paper entitled Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards: Critical Considerations and Implications for Implementation is available at: http://www.aacompcenter.org/pdf/aacc_two_percent_memo.pdf.
—The 3Rs: Research, Reports, & Resources—
Research Review from the Commonwealth Fund
Developmental Screening in Primary Care: The Effectiveness of Current Practice and Recommendations for Improvement
This report summarizes research on the effectiveness of current efforts by primary care health professionals to detect developmental delays in early childhood and considers ways to improve outcomes for young children and families. The report is based on a review of the literature to (1) assess the effectiveness of primary care practices in identifying developmental delays in young children, (2) describe practices related to identifying developmental delays, and (3) identify factors that affect practice. An executive summary provides key findings from existing research and recommendations for future research and policy development. The report is available at: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/1082_Sices_developmental_screening_primary_care.pdf?section=4039 .
From The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
Beyond Benchmarks and Scores: Reasserting the Role of Motivation and Interest in Children's Academic Achievement
This new research brief focuses on the complex nature of learning. The paper asserts that learning as a process must be redefined and that today’s educational practices require a superior understanding of the role motivation plays in learning. The paper addresses the challenges educators face when working with students that are disinterested, reluctant or particularly resistant to certain tasks. It concludes that learning relies on a range of key motivational strategies, which include student- and task-specific rewards. In addition to focusing on the importance of motivation in promoting learning, the brief provides research-based recommendations to help teachers improve their ability to reach students and help them learn. To read the brief, go to: http://www.acei.org/motivPosPaper.pdf .
From the Campaign for High School Equity
A Plan for Success : Communities of Color Define Policy Priorities for High School Reform
This publication makes a case for the need to invest in high schools and provides a blueprint for meaningful reform. Its recommendations include a call to: make all students proficient and prepared for college and work; hold high schools accountable for student success; redesign the American high school; provide students with the excellent leaders and teachers they need to succeed; invest communities in student success; and provide equitable learning conditions for all students. The report is available in PDF format at:
http://www.highschoolequity.org/files/PlanforSuccess_0.pdf.
From The National Charter School Research Project
Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2007
This report explores some of the most challenging issues currently facing the charter school movement. It focuses on what is happening inside charter schools themselves: How are they organized and led? Who teaches in charter schools and how does their compensation differ from that of teachers in traditional public schools? Do charter schools seem to be meeting their original promises? Do charter school students experience anything different than students in traditional public schools? To read the full report, go to:
http://www.ncsrp.org/cs/csr/view/csr_pubs/17.
From Zero to Three and PreK Now
Common Vision, Different Paths: Five States’ Journeys toward Comprehensive Prenatal-to-Five Systems
This new report articulates a common vision for early childhood systems in which programs work together to provide high-quality early learning and comprehensive services. It reveals lessons learned from five states' unique journeys toward such prenatal-to-five systems and identifies four cornerstones that have helped states succeed in this work. Advocates and policymakers will find guidance on how to build on the momentum around individual programs for the larger push toward systems that will benefit all young children and families. The report is available on the ZERO TO THREE website at www.zerotothree.org/commonvision or on the Pre-K Now website at www.preknow.org/documents/CommonVision_Dec2007.pdf.
From the ETSPolicyInformationCenter
The Family: America's Smallest School
This report outlines the family and home conditions affecting children's cognitive development and school achievement and how gaps beginning early persist throughout life. Recommendations call on leaders and policymakers to improve not only schools, but also home and family conditions, to help all students succeed. Critical factors examined in the report include child care quality, parental involvement in schools, parent/pupil ratio, family finances, literacy development, student absences and physical home environments. To read the full report in PDF format, go to: http://www.ets.org/Media/Education_Topics/pdf/5678_PERCReport_School.pdf.
Webinar Series on Customized Employment from TASH/APSE , Co-sponsored by Institute on Community Inclusion (ICI)
Working Life: Towards a Lifestyle of Employment for All
These groups are collaborating on a new training focused on Customized Employment. Training on different topics will be available between January 28 - February 25. Detailed information and registration materials are available on the APSE website at http://www.apse.org .
Learning Through Listening Web Site Offers Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
These educator-developed lesson plans improve all students' listening skills. Complete, easy-to-access information includes grade range and subject-search features. Lessons are posted monthly-providing fresh, timely ideas! Go to: www.learningthroughlistening.org.
From The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Position Statement on Response to Intervention (RTI)
This position paper outlines related to special education and the role of special educators when implementing RTI. Recommendations include that RTI must be a school-wide initiative, of which special education is an integral part, and that RTI must not delay the referral of a child who is suspected of having a disability for a comprehensive evaluation.
http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=9237&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm
The Hawaii International Conference on Education Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers 10th Annual Conference The ATIA Leadership Forum on Accessibility Changing Performance: National Title 1 Conference (NASTID) National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Annual Conference Resilience--Building Strength for Life: National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention Learning and the Brain Conference: Using Brain Research to Enhance Learning, Attention and Memory Quality Matters: Our Commitment to All Learners The Literacy and Social Development Connection:Using Effective Instruction to Improve Outcomes for Children and Adolescents with Challenging Behavior (CCBD) Conference on Inclusive Education:Designing Classrooms for Success(PEAK ParentCenter ) |
Research and TrainingCenter for Children's Learning Disabilities of America (LDA)'s Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference National Youth-At-Risk Conference Learning Differences Conference: Executive Function in the 21st Century Classroom - Innovatiove Strategies for Student Success Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center Conference (NAIARC): Strengthening Connections Reinventing Schools: Courageous Leadership for Positive Change - Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Annual Conference Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)'s Annual International Conference and Exhibition: Beyond Standards - Reaching Every Child's Potential
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