Fw: October 20, 2009 - Inclusion-model charter school is under scrutiny in NYC

[Guest guest]

----- Forwarded Message ----To: ANAESPARZA3@...Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 2:32:28 PMSubject: October 20, 2009 - Inclusion-model charter school is under scrutiny in NYC

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/ssxYdbvabQtyljqkajbTBoalTVed

October 20, 2009

News for special education professionals

Curriculum & Instruction

Inclusion-model charter school is under scrutiny in NYCThe Opportunity Charter School in New York City's Harlem area has been given one year to improve achievement, or it will lose its charter. The school uses an inclusion-teaching model to serve some of the city's lowest-achieving students, about 50% of whom have learning disabilities. While the school has made progress with its students who have special needs, students without special needs aren't progressing as well, which has led city and state education officials to review the school's charter status. GothamSchools.org (New York) (10/19)

Special-education officials in N. Ireland call for timely H1N1 informationThe principal of a school for students with special needs in Northern Ireland is calling on the health ministry to address delays in providing information to schools and families about the H1N1 flu virus. The family of a student with special needs from another Northern Ireland school recently received word -- two days after her funeral -- that the child had H1N1. Hers was the fifth confirmed case at Foyle View Special School,

which serves children with disabilities. Officials say they will work to prevent information delays in the future. BBC/Sunday Journal (10/19)

Other News

Tennessee county makes improvements to special-education programsThe Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration) (10/19)

Review: Book details ways to foster community literacy for people with special needsADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists (10/19)

DayOne Publishing is having a mid-semester blowout sale especially for readers of CEC SmartBrief! Save 20% on all products for any order over $300. It's our best price of the year for our laminated reference cards, books and more, and a great way to save on quantity orders. Click here for more details and to download a special order form.

Educational Leadership

Posny prepares for national role in special educationa Posny is preparing to take on her new role as the Obama administration's assistant secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. In accepting the national appointment, Posny will be stepping down from her position as education commissioner for Kansas, where she is credited with helping to develop a rapid-response system for students with academic and behavioral needs. The Topeka Capital-Journal (Kan.) (10/19)

Survey looks at how teachers view their professionA nationwide survey about teachers' views on their profession found that 40% are "disheartened," while a near equal amount -- 37% -- are "contented" with their jobs. The other 23% fell into the category of "idealists." Survey responses were given by close to 900 teachers about why they entered the profession and their individual schools, students and challenges, among other things. Researchers said they hope the results will be used to craft policies that

help identify, help and keep the most effective educators. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (10/21)

Other News

Author with autism and dyslexia says art helped himColumbia Daily Tribune (Mo.) (10/18)

You're Up To Date On Industry News, But What About Life Insurance? Did you know that MetLife Life Insurance premiums can be as low as $12 per month for $250,000 of coverage? Or, as low as $18 per month for $500,000 of coverage. Stay on top of very affordable rates with America's #1 Life Insurer – MetLife. Request a Free, No-Obligation Life Insurance Quote Now

Technology Trends

Scientists say assistive device may help children with autismComputer scientists in Singapore have developed a portable device they say may help children with autism recognize -- and perhaps respond more effectively to -- facial expressions. The new technology is based on a theoretical component of autism known as "empathizing-systemizing," whereby it is proposed that people with autism may have trouble developing responses to external agents such as others' facial expressions. CNET/Health Tech blog (10/19)

Social-networking tools are offered for special-education teachersA social-networking service for educators is partnering with a company that provides products for special education to provide an online venue for teachers to network and share information about their field. Professionals using the service will have access to webinars, blogs and forums, among other tools, and may apply for small grants to fund special-education projects. A vote by the online community determines who gets the funding. T.H.E. Journal

(10/19)

Policy News

White House: Stimulus preserved 250,000 jobs in educationAbout 250,000 education jobs have been created or spared through federal economic stimulus money -- but it remains unclear how many jobs have been lost or are in jeopardy as the country recovers from an economic recession, according to a report released by the Obama administration. Officials across the country said many states and districts are still facing bleak budgets and predictions of cuts. The Washington Post (10/20)

Review of policy over students with special needs is under way in Mass.A Massachusetts legislative committee is set to review a bill that would allow for more localized control over the educational placement of students with special needs who are in state custody. Proponents of the bill say it would save local school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars statewide. Under current state law, if a student is placed in state custody and sent to an out-of-district school, the original district must assume the cost of tuition. The Sun (Lowell,

Mass.) (10/19)

Other News

Wisconsin governor enacts emergency rule to mandate autism coverageWKOW-TV (Madison, Wis.) (10/19)

Eye on Exceptionalities

Researchers: Mercury is not "single smoking gun" in autism casesResearchers at the University of California, , found that mercury levels in the blood of children with autism were similar to the levels found in children without the disorder. While some autism activists have theorized that mercury -- from industrial emissions, fish consumption, dental fillings and vaccines -- is to blame for autism, the researchers said their results rule out mercury as "a single smoking gun." ABC News/Reuters (10/19)

ADHD in children could affect later adult activityResults of a recent study showed that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were more likely than children without the disorder to engage in criminal activities as adults. "While much research has shown links between ADHD and short-term educational outcomes, this research suggests significant longer-term consequences in other domains, such as criminal activities," said Yale School of Public Health assistant professor M. Fletcher, who

was the study's lead author. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (10/19)

CEC Spotlight

Find CEC in the Twittersphere The Council for Exceptional Children is taking the special-education conversation to a new level -- one 140-character message at a time. Through CEC's new Twitter page, Dan Ratner, our new assistant executive director for membership services, will provide an insider's look at the association's work and link followers to valuable resources and special offers. Follow Dan at @CECmembership.

Registration for the CEC 2010 Convention & Expo is now open! Don't miss CEC's Convention & Expo, to be held April 21 to 24 in Nashville, Tenn. With more than 800 sessions to choose from and so many exciting exhibits -- all under one roof at the Gaylord Opryland -- the opportunities to connect, exchange and grow are endless. Register before Jan. 15 and save up to $100. Find out more.

Learn moreabout CEC ->

About CEC | Membership | News | Prof. Development | Publications & Products

Assistant Professor

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg, PA USA

Head of School/Senior Management (Founding Team)

Capital Schools

D.C., USA

Private School Administrators (Founding Team)

Capital Schools, Inc.

Virginia, USA

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Shippensburg University

Pennsylvania, USA

Special Education Doctoral Program in EBD

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Education

Trinity University

San , TX

SmartQuote

He who has the fastest golf cart never has a bad lie."

--Mickey Mantle, National Baseball Hall of Famer

This SmartBrief was created for ANAESPARZA3@...

Subscriber Tools

Update account information | Change e-mail address | Unsubscribe | Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Advertise

Sales Account Director:Joe Riddle x 228

Download Media Kit

Job Board: Lee Vanderwerff x 248

Recent CEC SmartBrief Issues:

Monday, October 19, 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Lead Editor: Amy Dominello Contributing Editor: Katharine Haber Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005

© 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information __________________________________________________