Publications Menu
September 2007
National Technical Assistance Center:
PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55437 (888) 248-0822, www.taalliance.org
In This Issue:
Upcoming Events
- ALLIANCE New Directors Meeting - November 7-9, 2007
- ALLIANCE 11th Annual National Conference - January 30-February 1, 2008
Parent Center Update
- Wyoming Radio Show Features Transition Success Story
Announcements
- Autism Research - Early Diagnosis
- New National Center on Transition and Employment for Youth with Disabilities
- Youth Advisory Committee Recruitment Announcement
Resources
- New Project Forum Documents
- Engaging Parents in Education
- Perceptions and Expectations of Youth with Disabilities
- OSEP Policy Letters
- Back to School Statistics
- New Reading Rockets TV Show
- www.Education.com
Technology
- Family Center on Technology and Disability Institute
- Need a Server?
Fundraising
- Association of Library Service to Children Grant
To find the Technical Assistance Center in your Region please visit www.taalliance.org/centers/
Upcoming Events
ALLIANCE New Directors Meeting
November 7-9, 2007
Embassy Suites, Old Town Alexandria
ALLIANCE 11th Annual National Conferenc
January 30-February 1, 2008
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Parent Center Updates
Wyoming Radio Show Features Transition Success Story
Wyoming Public Radio recently featured a story on Ted Dawson’s transition to an apartment and full-time job. Ted, son of Wyoming Parent Information Center executive director Terri Dawson, recently moved 300 miles from home into his own apartment in Laramie. The one-hour show includes interviews with Ted and his parents at different times during the transition process. Listen to the story online at: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/wpr/openspaces/index.html.
More information on Parent Information Center is available at: www.wpic.org.
Announcements
Autism Research - Early Diagnosis
A recent study found that about half of children with autism can be diagnosed shortly after their first birthday. The findings, reported in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, tracked children in high-risk families and found two patterns of autism onset – early and later diagnosis. The Researchers hope their Research can be used to develop more effective early screening criteria. Read more at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/autismdiagnosis.cfm.
New National Center on Transition and Employment for Youth with Disabilities
The Institute for Educational Leadership’s Center for Workforce Development was recently awarded a $1.85 million cooperative agreement to create a National Technical Assistance Center on Transition and Employment for Youth with Disabilities. The center will help build the capacity of workforce, economic, and education systems to assist youth transition from high school to employment or postsecondary education. The center will provide focused technical assistance to at least three states. More information is available at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20071254.htm.
Youth Advisory Committee Recruitment Announcement
The National Council on Disability is recruiting youth with a variety of disabilities to fill 5 positions on their Youth Advisory Committee. Applications are due September 27, 2007 and should include a cover letter, resume, and recommendation letter which can be emailed to youth@ncd.gov. www.ncd.gov
Resources
New Project Forum Documents
- Reading First and Special Education: Examples of State-Level Collaboration
http://projectforum.org/docs/ReadingFirstandSpEd-ExamplesofStateLevelColloboration.pdf
This In-Brief Policy Analysis introduces the Reading First provisions in Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Examples of state-level collaboration were collected through interviews with six states and describe the background and elements of their collaboration, local-level collaboration, fiscal and human resources, outcomes, lessons learned, and next steps. Recommendations for improving collaboration between Reading First and special education staff are included. - Standards-Based Individualized Education Program Examples
http://www.projectforum.org/docs/Standards-BasedIEPExamples.pdf
This document presents a seven-step process to be used in developing a standards-based IEP. Each step is followed by guiding questions for the IEP team to consider in making data-based decisions. Two student examples are provided to illustrate application of the components of a standards-based IEP. One student example leads to the decision that the student should take an alternate assessment based on modified academic achievement standards (MAAS), while the other leads to a decision that the student should take the general assessment with accommodations. Readers might use this tool to think about how the contextual characteristics of a school setting might influence the creation and implementation of a student’s IEP. The companion document, “A Seven-Step Process to Creating Standards-based IEPs” provides the steps and guiding questions in a brief two-page document. - State Definitions of Significant Disproportionality
http://projectforum.org/docs/StateDefinitionsof
SignificantDisproportionality.pdf
This In-Brief Policy Analysis describes states’ definitions of significant disproportionality as described under Section 618 of the Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004. Data was collected through a survey with states and jurisdictions. Responses indicate that although some states’ definitions are not complete, most states have developed procedures to analyze significant disproportionality with respect to identification. Fewer states have procedures in place to analyze this with respect to the other two areas: placement and discipline. An appendix with sample definitions in each of the three areas is included.
Engaging Parents in Education
A new publication from the U.S. Department of Education, “Engaging Parents in Education: Lessons Learned from Five Parental Information and Resource Centers,” describes strategies used by several Parental Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) around the country to promote and enhance parent involvement in the public schools in their communities. The publication is available online at http://www.ed.gov/admins/comm/parents/parentinvolve/index.html.
Perceptions and Expectations of Youth with Disabilities
This recently released report from the National Longitudinal Transition Sudy-2 discusses results from surveys of youth with disabilities and their feelings about their school experiences, relationships, and expectations for the future. Download the full report at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/pubs/index.asp#NLTS2perceptions.
OSEP Policy Letters
Letters from the U.S. Department of Education describing interpretations of IDEA 2004 are available online at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/letters/2007-1/index.html for the first quarter of 2007. Both Part B and Part C topics are addressed.
Back to School Statistics
This fact sheet from the Institute of Education Sciences provides statistics on the nation’s public school students, programs, and expenditures: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372.
New Reading Rockets TV Show
A Chance to Read, a new PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) show by Reading Rockets, premiered the first week of September. The show features children with learning disabilities in four states and what their parents and schools are doing to help them be successful at reading. Look at the broadcast schedule here: http://www.readingrockets.org/shows/broadcast or watch online at: http://www.readingrockets.org/shows/watch.
www.Education.com
This new Web site includes information for parents of all school-age children including resources, discussion groups, project ideas, and articles.
Technology
Family Center on Technology and Disability Institute
The Family Center on Technology and Disability’s 2007 Institute will take place October 8-24 and focuses on two strands: Transition and AT and Autism and AT. The institute is free and occurs entirely online. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.fctd.info/.
Need a Server?
In the article “Do I Need a Server?” from TechSoup.org, the author explains what a server is and how to determine if your nonprofit organization could benefit from purchasing one. http://ga0.org/ct/fpS-qJ91zYp4/
Fundraising
Association of Library Service to Children Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is giving a one-time “Light the Way” grant of $5,000 for libraries offering outreach to underserved populations, including those with disabilities. The grant application is due December 3, and more information is available at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/profawards/candlewick
lighttheway/lighttheway.htm.
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The ALLIANCE site offers many PDF files for download, which require Adobe Reader to view.This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education. |
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