Special Education
NEW NEA Member Discount on CEC professional development offerings
Through a collaborative arrangement with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), NEA members can now participate in CEC professional development sessions offerings at the CEC member discount price.
Click here for a listing of available offerings starting on April 22, 2008 through September 25, 2008. These web seminars provide expert information in convenient interactive 90 minute sessions, and require only a speakerphone, a computer and high-speed internet connection.
To receive the special CEC discount as an NEA member, please contact Linda Keway or Debra Hahn from the PD/HR Department to get the code.
IRIS On-line Resources - NEA is an Executive Committee Partner of the IRIS Center . The IRIS Center is a federally funded project housed at Vanderbilt University in Nashville that provides research-based, high-quality resources for college and university faculty and professional development about students with disabilities. Its content is also relevant for Preschool - 12 educators who work with students with disabilities.
In particular, the Center offers free, online, interactive training modules on topics related to the education of students with disabilities, including Response to Intervention (RTI), Classroom Management, and Differentiated Instruction.
Recently, the IRIS Center added or enhanced its on-line offerings for these topics:
Inclusive practices
Accountability for students with disabilities Classroom-based assessment Collaboration Addressing disruptive and non-compliant behaviors Comprehensive behavior management Roles and responsibilities of the school nurse.
Special education resources for general educators (SERGE)
Elementary test not option for secondary special education teachers to meet ‘highly qualified’ requirement
The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) elementary test is not an option for secondary special education teachers to fulfill the “highly qualified” requirement.
MEA learned last week that federal auditors told the Michigan Department of Education that it would not be allowed. How many teachers will be impacted is not known at this time.
“We will be working with the Department of Education for more definitive answers and solutions,” said Linda Keway, of the MEA Professional Development and Human Resources Department, “and we will be updating our members as soon as we receive more information.”
Frank Ciloski of the Department of Education emphasized that teachers will have until June 30, 2009, to meet the highly qualified requirement through other options.
“We will be working with the department regarding these options,” Keway said. “Members should be aware that districts may pressure teachers to meet the requirement sooner, but you do have until June 2009 to fulfill the requirements.”
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Highly Qualified information for Special Education
The Michigan Department of Education revised the Clarification for Meeting Highly Qualified Requirements for Special Education Teachers (03/28/08). You will note the following clarifications/additions to the document 10/23/07:
Page 1 - Note: An extension through June 30, 2009 has been granted to Michigan Special Education teachers in order to meet the October 2007 revision in HQ requirements.
Page 2: Hold a major (or equivalent)
Page 2: Pass the appropriate subject exam of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification
Public Hearing Notice
ESY Services
Special Education Disputes
Part C Proposed State Eligibility
LD Online
LD OnLine.org provides many useful tools for educators who help students with learning disabilities reach their full potential. You can review the basics about learning disabilities http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.ldonline.org/adhdbasics or important information about IDEA 2004 http://www.ldonline.org/features/idea2004. A section especially for educators http://www.ldonline.org/educators has articles on instructional strategies and issues such as assessment, differentiated instruction, and using technology in the classroom and a question and answer section on teaching http://www.ldonline.org/questions/teaching.
For information on what is going on in other states (and possibly your own) in the field of special education, you might want to subscribe to LD Online’s daily clipping service http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews which sends you the latest news all over the country.
IDEA Partnership
The IDEA Partnership is dedicated to improving outcomes for students and youth with disabilities by joining state agencies and stakeholders through shared work and learning.
The IDEA Partnership reflects the collaborative work of more than 55 national organizations, technical assistance providers, and organizations and agencies at state and local level. Together with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Partner Organizations form a community with the potential to transform the way we work.The IDEA Partnership is dedicated to improving outcomes for students and youth with disabilities by joining state agencies and stakeholders through shared work and learning.
The IDEA Partnership reflects the collaborative work of more than 55 national organizations, technical assistance providers, and organizations and agencies at state and local level. Together with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Partner Organizations form a community with the potential to transform the way we work.
Universal Design for Learning Resources
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all.
Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd)
The Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd) helps state and local education leaders to integrate instructional technology for all students to achieve high educational standards by providing resources on evidence-based practices, innovative online technical assistance tools, professional development, communities of practice and evidence-based, promising, and emerging practices based on the latest research.
The Center's free resources offer help in providing high-quality instruction for all students and are especially important for serving students with disabilities. Resources include professional development and research on implementing technology to improve student achievement.
Find resources in the Learn Center especially identified for teachers, administrators, technology coordinators, and professional development coordinators. Use My Center to collect, save, and share resources and toolkits with colleagues. Join their free webinar series, Moving Forward with Technology, and access free technical assistance.
To access the final regulations for IDEA issued on August 3, 2006 go to http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea
NEA Analysis: IDEA Final Regulations
NEA has provided an initial summary (attached) of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) reauthorization bill passed by Congress on Friday, November 19th. More detailed documents will be forthcoming to help our members deal with the implementation of the law.
Promising Practices
A study released last Wednesday by the Educational Trust, called Gaining
Traction, Gaining Ground: How Some High Schools Accelerate Learning for
Struggling Students , attempts to reveal characteristics and practices of schools
that are effective at improving the academic performance of previously low-performing
students. The group also published a separate review of practices at three
high-performing schools in Massachusetts, New York and Washington state.
Helping To Improve Access to and Progress in the General Curriculum
This newsletter provides information on preparing for IEP Team meetings, the
IEP Team State Assessment Decision-Making Flow Chart, MEAP Accommodations,
etc.
Special Education and the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act
Access to a free, quality education is the key to the uniquely American promise
of equal opportunity for all. This promise was formally extended to children
with disabilities with the passage in 1975 of landmark federal legislation
now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Public
schools across the country today serve more than 6 million youngsters with
a wide array of disabling conditions.
Click here for
more . . .
Michigan
Launches New Assessment
for Students with Disabilities
INCLUSION
Help for general education teachers! Special education students are often included in the general education classroom setting. Click here for links to resources for general educators and schools that are implementing inclusive programs.
Michigan Department of Education Special Education and Early Intervention Services
Schwab Foundation for Learning
The Schwab Foundation web site offers bulletin boards, publications, and resources for teachers of children with learning differences.
Learning Disabilities Association of America(LDA)
National organization devoted to defining and finding solutions for the broad spectrum of learning disabilities.
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
The ADDA serves individuals with ADD and the people who care for them.
CAUSE Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The NICHD conducts and supports research on the processes that determine and
maintain the health of children, adults, families, and populations.
The Council for Exceptional Children(CEC)
The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to
improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities.
The International
Dyslexia Association
The IDA has the latest information on dyslexia, including early identification,
effective literacy education, research, current facts, and teacher training.
Of special interest is a kids' only section of the site with discussion boards.
Children and Adults
with Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD)
CHADD is a nonprofit parent-based organization formed to better the lives of
individuals with ADD and those who care for them.
Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The national Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Partnership
website contains information from the U.S. Department of Education Office of
Special Education Programs on changes to IDEA statute.