Fw: September 10, 2009 - Schools aim to ease fears for children with special needs

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September 10, 2009

News for special education professionals

Curriculum & Instruction

Schools aim to ease fears for children with special needsSome Oregon schools put additional effort into helping students with disabilities prepare for the school year. Strategies, which begin in the spring, include tours before classes start and locker assignments where students with special needs will feel less crowded. "Routines and consistency are important," said a school district official. "Just the unknown can present challenges." The Oregonian (Portland) (9/10)

District tries co-teaching method for students with disabilitiesA Massachusetts school district is implementing a co-teaching technique in an effort to increase inclusion of students with disabilities in traditional classrooms. The model involves "the special-education teacher and [the] general teacher planning together, with both professionals having responsibility for all students within the classroom," a district administrator said of the strategy. Wicked Local (Stoneham, Mass.)/Melrose Free Press (Beverly, Mass.)

(9/10)

Illinois company tailors academic help to students' needsA Chicago man with learning disabilities has started a company that helps students of different skills and abilities achieve academic success. "Overall, it helps them become well-rounded students and deal with different academic and life situations and bumps that come in the road," said Matt Kelley, a former teacher and founder of Lake Forest and Lakeview Academic Services. The company helps students through tutoring, online instruction, assistive technology and school liaison services. Pioneer Press newspaper group (Glenview, Ill.)/Lake Forester (Ill.) (9/10)

Other News

Program finds training, summer jobs for students with disabilitiesSuffolk Times (Long Island, N.Y.) (9/10)

RTI Special Report Available Free By RequestMaking RTI Work is a groundbreaking new guide created under advisement from recognized Response to Intervention experts K. Burns, S. Shapiro, Ysseldyke, ph F. Kovaleski, and others. Click here for your free copy.

Educational Leadership

Utah special-education teacher is honored for her workA Salt Lake City special-education teacher has been awarded the school district's 2010 Special Education Teacher of the Year honor. Noreen Mullen was praised for encouraging students to focus on their talents and integrating students with disabilities into classes with their peers. "She focuses on [her students'] abilities rather than their disabilities," said Mullen's principal. "She takes them where they are and just marches forward." The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)

(9/9)

Swine Flu Special Report Are you concerned about the recent swine flu outbreaks? This Special Report from the experts at Harvard Medical School can help you understand the risks and take preventative action for yourself, your business, and your employees. Order and download this PDF report here.

Technology Trends

Implant aims to help those with damaged retinasAn implant device has the potential to help people who cannot see regain some vision. The invention sends images from a video camera worn on sunglasses to electronic sensors, which transmit information directly to the brain, bypassing damaged cells in the eye. So far, 32 people have received implants. All suffer from an inherited condition that causes the retina to deteriorate. The Philadelphia Inquirer (9/8)

Other News

Computer program shows promise to improve lip readingEastern Daily Press (U.K.) (9/10)

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Policy News

Flu-outbreak measures released for students with special needsIf an outbreak of flu causes large-scale school closures, children with disabilities should receive additional academic assistance based on individual need when they return to school, according to guidelines issued by the Department of Education. The department recommends schools investigate distance-learning options for students with special needs as well as incorporate those students in their flu plans. Disability Scoop (9/9)

Schools examine online learning options for possible flu outbreak: Schools across the country are looking at technology options that will enable students to keep learning during an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, often called swine flu. But such options could also be useful during other school closures. Online learning plans at districts across the country include video lessons, online homework listings and e-mail submission of course work. The Education Department also announced a partnership with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple to use their resources in the event of mass closures. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (9/9)

California allows schools to delay spending on instructional materialsPrompted by a budget crisis, California has released school districts from requirements to use money to upgrade instructional materials. Schools may shift how they use $300 million earmarked for textbooks and materials to other critical areas, such as staffing. The state has suspended curriculum and textbook review for four years, which could delay the approval of new textbooks until 2016. Educators are concerned about the effect on instruction; publishers are worried about the loss of orders from the large California market. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (9/9)

Eye on Exceptionalities

Family participates in The Learning Channel's autism programA family in Florida's Port Charlotte will be featured in a Learning Channel special about autism airing Wednesday. Eve , whose 6-year-old daughter, Camryn, is autistic, responded to an online advertisement asking for families to participate in the program. Though her daughter's condition has been a struggle for the family at times, said she sees the bright spots as well. "I see there is beauty, too," she said. "I want people to see the good side of autism." Herald-Tribune

(Sarasota, Fla.) (9/9)

ADHD education classes target parentsClasses offered through the advocacy group Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Iowa help train parents and family members on coping and living with a child who has ADHD. Igram, who teaches one of the Parent to Parent: Family Training on ADHD classes, says the more educated the family is, the more likely a child with ADHD will be successful in school and life. The Des Moines Register (Iowa) (9/9)

CEC Spotlight

Devereux Early Childhood Initiative and NAEYC produce behavior-management videos If you spend too much valuable classroom time dealing with problem behaviors, then the "Facing the Challenge: Working with Children Who Use Challenging Behavior" two-pack of DVDs is a resource you cannot go another school year without. Content is focused on developmentally appropriate behaviors, strategies, behavioral planning and intervention techniques to manage problem behavior. Find out more!

Explore critical issues shaping the future of teacher education "Teacher Education and Special Education," a quarterly publication from CEC's Teacher Education Division, features research, evaluations and discussions aimed at improving the preparation of those who will teach children with exceptionalities. Purchase your copy today by calling . Find out more.

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