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Last Updated: 04/24/2012
 

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8-23-02

Breaking News and Detroit » MI New Detroit schools packed with amenities

 

Breaking News » MI Districts beef up academics - Educators are working to improve test scores.

 

Breaking News » MI Older suburban schools upgrade, add new programs - Outlying districts strive to keep up with growth.

 

Breaking News and Detroit » MI Schools hit with tough new rules - Metro Detroit schools will have a complicated web of new rules to navigate starting this school year, including notifying parents when teachers did not major or minor in the subjects they teach.

 

Breaking News, Literacy, and Michigan News » MI Campaign recruits literacy volunteers - Mentors are needed to help elementary students in Lansing.

 

Ask the Attorney » Question:  Are there attorneys who represent students/parents rights on a fee based on income and/or contingent on outcome?  Our school district has on several occasions not provided services requested and included in the IEP.  Click here for the answer.

 

Inspiration » Story: Things Can Only Get Better - "When I first started out in the special education field I had the opportunity to work with a little girl that nobody else wanted to take time with.  She was diagnosed as having autism and she was also deaf."

 

School Climate - Love & Logic » Read the article "Expert says consequence is powerful teacher in life"

 

Fundraising » Section Updated!

  

8-22-02

Breaking News » MI MIRS 8-21-02 Michigan's ACT Scores Stay Steady

 

Breaking News » MI MIRS 8-21-02 State Puts Top Lesson Plans On Web

 

Resources by State - Michigan and Michigan Special Ed Labels » Sections Updated!

 

8-21-02

Breaking News, Early Childhood, and Michigan News » MI Finance issues endanger child special-needs project - Organizers fear funding change will deter clients.

 

Breaking News » FL Voucher lets parents home-school disabled child

 

Breaking News and ADD/ADHD » CDC Names CHADD the National Resource Center on AD/HD - Milestone in CHADD's History Reiterates the Validity and Seriousness of AD/HD.

 

Breaking News, Learning Disability, Inclusion, and Professional Development » Voice of Experience: Learn why teacher Janice Robertson looks forward to integrating special-needs students into her classroom lessons. [source]

 

Breaking News and Early Childhood » CA Providing preschool for all - Goal is to improve literacy, social skills.

 

Breaking News and Early Childhood » CA Officials eye tobacco tax for schools - Bay Area officials are looking closely, yet skeptically, at a Los Angeles County program that provides free preschool using proceeds from state cigarette taxes. [source]

 

State & National Links » Hotline Numbers: Runaways, Child Abuse, Youth Crisis

 

8-20-02

Heaven Received Another Angel Today - Many of you may know John Schneider, Lansing State Journal columnist, who often wrote of his beloved Jessica, a child with special needs.  Jessica drowned last week after suffering a seizure.  We would like to express our deep condolences to the family.  Click here for more information about Jessica.

 

Breaking News » Editorial: Education a Job for All - Educators, scholars and celebrities are meeting in Detroit today to bring attention to the educational needs of the city's residents. Detroiters, like many residents of urban centers, confront limited life choices because of defects in their education.

 

Breaking News » MI MIRS 8-19-02 Posthumus Picks Bennett

 

Breaking News » MI Election Update - from the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health.

 

Events » Hidden hazards of lead exposed - August 20th from 6-8 p.m. in Detroit - click here for more info.

 

Inspirational Stories, Poems, and Quotes » Story #1: To You, My Sisters and Story #2: Some Cream For Your Coffee?  Jonathan Helps (?) His Mom

 

Cultural Issues » OH Task force plan focuses on education barriers - The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs report is aimed at defining the problems in educating the state's rapidly growing Hispanic population and proposing solutions to legislators and Gov. Bob Taft.  

 

Wraparound » Page Updated!

 

8-19-02

Breaking News » MI MIRS 8-19-02 Quarles Enters Board of Ed Race

 
Breaking News » MI MIRS 8-19-02
Billboards for Public Schools

 

Breaking News and Proposal A » MI MIRS 8-19-02 How Proposal A Could Play

 

IEP Topics - Inclusion » Should Inclusion Include Every Student? Read Differing Views on a controversial topic.

 

Events » December 6-8, 2002 - Zero to Three presents...Babies Can't Wait: Critical Issues for the Infant/Family Field - info

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » Critics say law places emphasis on MEAP - State standards force teaching to tests, some argue.

 

Breaking News, Learning Disability, and General Ed Reform - Literacy » MI Some schools to get funds to boost kids' reading skills - Some Oakland County schools may be able to win as much as $400,000 to teach children to read.

 

Breaking News and Early Childhood » Joshua's Journey: Diagnosis and Decision

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » School choice law may not help children in districts with tight space - A key feature of a new federal education law intended to give 3.5 million poor children a chance to attend better public schools this fall cannot succeed in urban districts that are strapped for space, educators say.

 

Breaking News and Proposal A » MI Edging around Prop A: House-passed bill would add to inequities, property taxes.

 

Breaking News, Detroit, and Cultural Issues » MI Education summit set to tackle urban ills - Nationally known figures to convene at State Theatre.

 

8-18-02

Events » September 24, 2002 - Arc of Livingston Presents: Tools for a Successful IEP from 7-9 p.m. It's IEP time for many of our students, so come learn some helpful tips on how to plan a successful educational year for your child - info

 

8-17-02

Breaking News and Disability Info » Young and Bipolar - Once called manic depression, the disorder afflicted adults. Now it's striking kids. Why?

 

Breaking News and Disability Info » Read the article from the Los Angeles Times: Brain scans can detect dyslexia, showing root of reading problem

 

Michigan News » Petoskey school discusses drug testing
 

Breaking News and Contact Your Legislator » Congressional Visits - Your Congressional leaders are back in their home districts, campaigning for the upcoming elections. Which gives you the perfect opportunity to pay them a visit and let them know how strongly you feel about Civil Rights issues such as the ADA and IDEA. Visit www.vote-smart.org for all contact info and positions of your leader.

 

Breaking News » U.S. Paige Announces Support for Reading First In Arizona, Michigan, And Utah - States receive share of $900 million for year one of Reading First grants to improve students' reading achievement.

 

Events » September 25, 2002 - Simon Baron-Cohen Lecture click here for more info - Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D., is the University Lecturer in Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge. His research spans the developmental neuropsychology of autism, early diagnosis, psychological intervention and neuroimaging in autism.

 

Events » October 4, 2002 - AD/HD: Succeeding Across the Lifespan - info

 

No Child Left Behind » Long-Awaited ESEA Rules Are Released

 

No Child Left Behind » Subscribe to the No Child Left Behind Newsletter

 

School Climate » The U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service published Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates, which outlines research findings on student-instigated school violence. Read a copy of this report in MS Word or PDF or call 1-877-4ED-PUBS

 

8-16-02

Breaking News and Recent Court Cases » Special-Ed Law Violated, Judge Rules - The Calvert County school system violated federal law when it failed to provide a blind student with a certified vision teacher last year, a state administrative law judge has ruled.

 

Breaking News and Disability Info » Switch From Audio Tape to Digital Creates Problem for Recording for Blind & Dyslexic

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Online teens say their schools don't use the Internet well - 78% of middle and high school students use the Internet But the most Internet-savvy among them complain that their teachers don't use the Internet in class or create assignments that exploit great Web material.

 

Breaking News and Medicaid » HHS Urges States To Continue To Expand Home & Community Based Care For Disabled Residents - HHS Sec. Tommy G. Thompson yesterday urged America's governors to make continued efforts to overcome the institutional bias in Medicaid programs by providing benefits outside of nursing homes to Americans with disabilities. Secretary Thompson noted that states already have many affordable community-based options for serving people with disabilities, and he pointed to a new Web site identifying promising practices.

 

Breaking News, IEP Topics - Testing, and Cultural Issues » Exit Tests Hurt At-Risk Students - Report: Dropout Rates Could Increase for Poor, Minorities.

 

Breaking News » NCD Releases Report on Health Care and People with Disabilities

 

Breaking News and Community Living » U. S. DOT's Aviation Consumer Disability hotline now operational - The toll-free numbers for the aviation consumer disability hotline are 1-866-266-1368 (voice) and 1-866-754-4368 (TTY). The Department of Transportation (DOT) is encouraging people with disabilities to call the hotline for information and assistance if they should experience disability-related air service problems. Disability groups helped to test out the hotline before it became operational and DOT will use caller feedback in the coming few weeks to fine tune the system for effective response to disability issues in air travel. A press release announcing the hotline to the general public should be issued in a month or two following this consumer feedback stage.

 

Great Resource!  PatientTravel.org and its related telephone HELPLINE (1-800-296-1217) serves to make referrals and provide "how to get there" assistance for any patient needing to travel to a distant specialized medical facility for evaluation, diagnosis or treatment.  Patients served are people for whom the cost of long-distance travel for medical care is difficult financially.

 

8-14-02

Breaking News » MI Schools official to donate his raise; State education head will give to kids groups - State Superintendent of Education Tom Watkins is putting his money where his mouth is.

 

Breaking News and Juvenile Justice » MI County's biggest suburb drops D.A.R.E. - The workhorse of anti-drug education in Saginaw Township schools is headed to pasture.

 

Breaking News » Child sues private school in Baton Rouge under disabilities act

 

Breaking News » MI State schools supt. donating raise to Starfish Family Services

 

Breaking News » StarrPointsGuest editor Barbara Day asks, "Will vouchers leave special education students behind?" and "How will vouchers impact the needs of students with disabilities?" [source]

 

Breaking News » Common Bread Preservative Found to Affect Children's Behavior

 

8-13-02

Breaking News, Juvenile Justice, and Michigan News - Detroit » Read the article Success: Juvenile treatment improves Wayne County helps more, for less per teen

 

Michigan News » Quick List of links to 35+ Sources of News - Michigan - click here.

 

Legal Research » Quick List of links to 30+ Top Sources of News - Worldwide - click here.

 

8-12-02

IEP Topics - Gifted Learners » Read the article from USA Today - Some can sail over high school

 

8-11-02

Breaking News and New Legislation » Respite Care Legislation Introduced in House

 

Court Cases of Interest » Read the article from the Boston Globe: Deaf mechanic wins employment suit against United Airlines

 

Breaking News » Children’s Reading Disability Attributed To Brain Impairment

 

8-10-02

Inspiring Stories » Call for Inspirational Story Submissions - People with disabilities and special needs overcome huge obstacles each and every day.  We would like for people to submit personal stories about themselves or someone with a disability to share with others.  Here is your chance to tell your own story.  Click here for submission details.

 

Breaking News » MI Get to school, parents told - Superintendent Gerald D. Dawkins is handing out a mandatory assignment for parents of Saginaw School District students entering high school: get involved with your child's education.

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » Education research is under the microscope - Quality of data crucial as schools base more decisions on studies.

 

Breaking News and Home Schooling » Homeschooling the Student Who Has Special Needs: How can a parent be an effective teacher?

 

Breaking News and Medicare/Medicaid » Read the memo from CMS "Medicare intends to cover use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Help People with Spinal Cord Injury Walk."

 

Breaking News » MI Program teaches police officers discretion

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » The big lie: 'No child left behind'

 

Medicare/Medicaid » Medicare Coverage Policy: National Coverage Determinations (NCD)

 

Breaking News and IEP Topics - Testing » Read the article "A Hurdle Too High" - I am not your average kid with a learning disability. I am a unique kid with a different style of learning. I did not choose to have this learning disability. It chose me. Because I am stuck with this, I am not going to let this problem get in the way of my success.

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » CA California Education Funding Imperiled - U.S. Demands End to Hiring of Uncredentialed Teachers.

 

Breaking News and Cultural Issues » It Shouldn't Be Good to Have It Bad - At UC Berkeley, where I teach, we are awaiting the arrival of the first freshman class selected under a revised admissions policy for the University of California schools. All applicants are being evaluated according to whether they have survived "hardships," with those who have done so netting extra points.

 

8-09-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 8/9/02 - Watkins Earns Pay Increase, Not Keeping It

 

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 8/9/02 - Board Hears Calls for Early Childhood Funding

 

Breaking News » MI Attention turns to #2 spot:  Tom Watkins mentioned as possible running mate - Candidates need to secure strong running mates.

 

Breaking News » Kids won't learn if we expect failure - Rod Paige and I, black Mississippians of a certain age, were pondering over lunch the differences between the education we received as children and the education poor children are receiving today.

 

Breaking News » MI 10 Michigan schools fall from 'finest' list - Quick demise taints validity of nation's recognition program.

 

Check it out!  List of quick links to over 20 top sources of news - worldwide - click here.

 

Breaking News » For Blind Students, Another Challenge - Shortage of Vision Teachers Vexes Schools, Angers Parents.

 

8-08-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 8/8/02 - Inkster Schools Financial Manager Named

 

Breaking News » UK Children's speaking skills in decline

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Soldiers' kids, often uprooted, thrive at on-base schools

 

Disability Topics - Diabetes » Read the Jacksonville Times-Union article "More children suffer 'adult' diabetes" - Experts cite rise in obesity among young.

 

Home Schooling and Cultural Issues » More Muslims home in to educate children - More Muslim Americans are choosing to home-school their children, making them one of the fastest growing minority groups within the national home-schooling movement.

 

Breaking News and Professional Development » MIRS 8/5/02 - Engler Highlights E-Government Effort with Online Curriculum Support for Teachers

 

Breaking News, Section 504, Court Cases, and Learn About the ADA » Drawing Boundaries - The Supreme Court Is Siding With Employers and Narrowing the Reach of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Is That What its Drafters Had in Mind?

 

Home Schooling » Read the article "Back to School: Setting up a School Area"

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » MI Info Related To Individual School Building Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Status

 

Breaking News » FL John M. McKay Scholarships Program for Students with Disabilities - Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Congressman Keller. We are very pleased to have this opportunity to share information about parent choice in education and Florida’s McKay Program for Students with Disabilities. On behalf of the thousands of students being served in both private and public schools through this program, I thank you for your attention today.

 

Breaking News » FL Court Bars Use of Vouchers - A judge in Tallahassee ruled on Monday that Florida's school voucher program is unconstitutional and barred students from using vouchers to attend private schools.

 

Events Calendar » September 9, 2002 - Visual Strategies: Autism Training for Improving Communication and Behavior - info

 

Events Calendar » Oct. 22-23, 2002 - Making it Personal: 5 Strategies for Person-Centered Solutions - info

 

Breaking News and Professional Development » Today's Back-to-School Special: 20 strategies to get your classroom off to a great start this school year. {source}

 

Early Childhood » Oakland Early On Play & Support Group - Every Friday from 2:00-3:30 pm, Community Services of Oakland has a support group.  "From 2-3, Adults talk while someone watches our children and then from 3-3:30, we do a social interaction with the children."  If anyone is interested, you can contact Sheryl Nelson at (248) 542-5860, Ext. 226 or email JoAnn at joann4dk@yahoo.comThe ages for the group is Age 6 or under who have been diagnosed with Autism.  The group meeting is held in Ferndale.

 

Breaking News and Professional Development » Classroom Management Tips & Articles

 

Breaking News » Governor's Appointments - Update from Gongwer News Service, August 7, 2002

 

Disability Info - Autism » New Michigan Support Group Added: Everyday Miracles - located in Oakland County, is a parent lead, community based support group designed to strengthen, empower and inform families and communities about children with autism.

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » State, U.S. Feud Over Teachers - Strapped for experienced teachers, California is skirting the nation's new education law by insisting that 50,000 rookies without full credentials are nonetheless "highly qualified," federal officials said Monday.

 

Breaking News » ACT Ends Flagging Tests of Disabled - The maker of the ACT college entrance test followed the lead of its rival Friday, and announced that the scores of disabled students who need extra time to take the ACT exam will no longer be specially marked.

 

Disability Info - Learning Disability and Literacy » Read "Researchers support early intervention for all children with reading difficulties" - National experts in the field of reading and literacy have found research evidence that challenges federal policy for making children eligible to receive some special education services. {source}

 

8-07-02

Breaking News » MI Election Results: Granholm, with Easy Win, Heads to Showdown with Posthumus

 

Breaking News » MI Election Results: Newcomer Seems to Stun Garza; House GOP Incumbents Win

Breaking News » MI Election Results: Tight Races but Few Surprises in Senate Elections

 

Breaking News » MI Election Results: Dingell Declares Victory; Upton Makes Strong Showing

 

Breaking News » MI Election Results: Schuette, Cavanaugh Vie for Court of Appeals

 

Breaking News, Home Schooling, and Professional Development  » Read the Education World article "Thematic "Hot lists" Add Interest and Save Time" - Online resources for more than 25 popular curriculum topics!

 

Breaking News » MI EDUCATION MILLAGE: Funds for special education on way to approval

 

Events Calendar » MDE Public Hearings Schedule September 2002 - Document Revisions

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » Read the U.S. Department of Education's Press Release - Secretary Paige Announces $3.5 Million Grant to Support No Child Left Behind Demonstration Project

 

College and Cultural Issues » BILINGUAL SITE: HELPING HISPANIC PARENTS PLAN FOR COLLEGE - English: http://YesICan.gov   Spanish: http://YoSiPuedo.gov - The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans recently unveiled a new website to provide parents with a one-stop center of information to increase college knowledge.  Among the resources online are: "Myths and Facts About College Costs," "20 Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor," and "Things You Need to Know About Paying for College."

 

New Section Added! Learn About the Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA

 

8-06-02

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » MIRS 7/25/02 - Will States Be Left Behind Without Funds for NCLBA?

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Fuel for Schools: The Importance of Trust in Changing Schools - Can excellent work be coerced from principals, teachers, and students simply by withholding diplomas, slashing funds, and publishing embarrassing statistics in the newspaper? As states and school districts work at structuring new accountability mechanisms and mandating changes in instruction, they will do well to remember that school people and their relationships to one another will make or break reform.

 

8-05-02

Breaking News » MI Public Hearing & Period of Public Comment on Special Ed Policies & Procedures - Announcement of Public Hearing and a Period of Public Comment on Special Education Policies and Procedures Pursuant to 34 CFR §300.148 Administrative Rules for Special Education (Rules) took effect on June 6, 2002.  Based upon changes that were made from the previous Rules, it is necessary to update several documents that implement the Rules. The period of public comment runs from through September 30, 2002.  The following documents are being revised and comments are being accepted on: ISD Plan Criteria, Monitoring Standards, IEP Manual and Forms, Procedural Safeguards, Mediation Procedures, Procedures for Conducting a Hearing on Objections to the ISD Plan, Procedures for the Selection and Appointment of Hearing Officers, New Question and Answer Document to Replace the Official Interpretations, Complaint Procedures, Policy for the Appointment of a Surrogate Parent for Special Education Services, and Inclusive Education Position Statement.

 

Breaking News » Commentary by Rod Paige: Schools can't improve without help of parents

 

Disability Topics - Obesity and Disability Topics - Diabetes » Read the San Francisco Chronicle's article "Summit to rouse schools about child obesity" - Emphasis will be on teaching good habits.

 

Breaking News and Detroit » Detroit schools' PR: $1.5 million - District hires 4 firms to publicize programs, recruit students; some criticize expense.

 

Events Calendar » October 18-20, 2002 - The Road Less Traveled:  A Way-finding Seminar for Students with Visual Impairments - info

 

Events Calendar » November 8, 2002 - Michigan Parents of Blind Children's Annual Parent Seminar - info

 

Events Calendar » September 9-10, 2002 - Microenterprise Development: It's Not About Jobs, It's About Income! - info

 

Events Calendar » September 13, 2002 - A Gathering for Parents of Children with Special Needs - info

 

Breaking News » IL Bunching of special ed kids faulted - Special education students in Chicago are concentrated in some of the poorest, lowest-performing public high schools, putting increased burdens on already-stressed schools, a series of reports released today say. {source}

 

Breaking News » IA Report: Iowa excels in special education - A national education commission has recommended that the other 49 states follow Iowa's lead and stop using IQ tests to screen students for learning disabilities. {source}

 

8-04-02

Breaking News » MI A Bridges4Kids Interview with Jennifer Granholm - Speaking to a crowd of 150 on the lawn of the Royal Oak Public Library, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate, Jennifer Granholm, emphasized her support for education and for giving a voice to those with disabilities and special needs. 

 

Breaking News and IEP Topics - Testing » Beware of the Standards, Not Just the Tests

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » Department Seeks to Clarify ESEA School Choice Mandates

 

Breaking News and Science News » MI "Samples show 'startling' levels of mercury" - A sample of rain water collected in Southfield contains up to 114 times more mercury than thought safe for people and animals.

 

Events Calendar » August 19th - Autism Society of Michigan Golf Outing - info

 

Breaking News » 2002 Election: Gubernatorial Candidate websites - Jim Blanchard, http://www.blanchardforgovernor.com; David Bonior, http://www.davidboniorforgovernor.com; Jennifer Granholm, http://www.granholmforgov.com; Dick Posthumus, http://www.dickposthumus.com; John "Joe" Schwarz, http://www.schwarz2002.com

 

School Climate - Bullying » Read the article from the Rocky Mountain News "Students don't pull punches" - Colorado schools have plenty of bullies, survey indicates.   {source}

 

General Ed Reform - Professional Development » $2 Million Program Designed to Equip Inner-City Teachers - As part of their commitment to improving student achievement and increasing teacher retention in nine elementary schools, the Osborne Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to the Public Education Foundation (PEF), a local education fund, to implement a master's degree program for urban educators.

 

8-03-02

Breaking News » Commentary by State Superintendent, Tom Watkins: Vote! Or Liberty is History - There is a virus in the air that is infecting the foundation of our state and nation.  That virus is voter apathy.  Anyone who is eligible to vote should be registered to vote.  Everyone who is registered to vote needs to understand the candidate’s positions and the various ballot issues.  Then, they need to VOTE in the upcoming primary election, Tuesday, August 6th as well as in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5th.

 

Breaking News » What parents need to know about schools - Two-term National Education Association President and former middle school social studies teacher Bob Chase thought he couldn't be more prepared for a meeting with his daughter's math instructor. When the teacher ignored requests for a chat, however, Chase found himself just as frustrated and confused as any other parent. The result is The New Public School Parent: How to Get the Best Education for Your Child (Penguin), out this month, in which Chase provides pointers on negotiating tricky school situations, like what to ask during a parent-teacher conference; what to do when your child isn't challenged; or how much standardized test preparation is appropriate.  {source}

 

Medicaid » HHS Releases Spanish-Language Guide to Medicaid, CHIP Programs

 

Disability Information - ADD/ADHD » FREE VIDEO from the Attention Deficit Disorder Association ($5 Shipping) "ADD: Transition to College - Passport for Success" - click here for more info.

 

Events Calendar » The 14th Annual CHADD International Conference On Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Partners For Progress: 15 years of giving hope, changing lives! will be held from October 17-19, 2002, in Miami Beach, Florida. Click here to visit CHADD for more information.

 

8-02-02

Breaking News and General Ed Reform - Literacy » TX Richardson schools to switch reading programs - Focus moves from one-on-one tutoring to teaching small groups.  {source}

 

Breaking News, IEP Topics - FOIA, and Recent Court Cases » Gongwer 7/25/02 - Top Court: Governments Must Prove FOI Materials Exempt

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform - Teacher Certification » MN Teachers get an easy pass - Minnesota teachers hold a national reputation for excellence, but when it comes to the tests they take to get their licenses, the state allows some of the lowest passing scores in the country.

 

Breaking News » Reminder: Primary Elections Are On August 6th - The League of Women Voters has developed a Nonpartisan Voting Guide for use in the primary elections. For more, see the LWVMi web site.

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » Group wants to cut list of failing schools by changing standards

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform - Literacy » CA Teens Get a Second Chance at Literacy - Education: L.A. Unified begins a back-to-basics reading program for secondary students. The effort is being watched by districts nationwide.

 

Breaking News » Reports to Congress: Special-ed revamp likely - System called slow, unfocused

 

Disability Info - Learning Disability (LD) » Read "The Pathways of Math’s Ways" by Dr. Mel Levine - Students face a hefty challenge as they struggle to climb through the pathways leading to an academic summit called success in mathematics. Once they get there, the view is great. En route there are seemingly endless obstacles. The pitfalls are especially troubling for students who have differences in learning that impede their ability to think with numbers. Let’s look at some of the challenges and the ways they might not be met. We can divide these into: knowing what you’re doing; remembering what to do and what you’re doing, and becoming a good problem solver. {source}

 

Breaking News and School Climate - Bullying » Read the article from the Denver Post - Colorado kids blame violence on intolerance {source}

 

Breaking News and Child Care » Gongwer 7/25/02 MI Supreme Court Rules Family Day Care Homes Violate Restrictive Covenants - The court, in another divided opinion, ruled family day care homes in residential areas violate restrictive covenants prohibiting the use of homes for commercial and business uses.  Mr. Markman, joined by Ms. Corrigan, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Young (in Terrien v. Zwit, SC docket No. 115924) said since the operation of a day care center out of a home is a commercial business for the purpose of making a profit, they can be banned by municipalities’ restrictive covenants.  In dissent, Ms. Kelly, joined by Mr. Cavanagh, said zoning ordinances should be interpreted according to how the use of the land affects the general plan of the area, and in this case the use of the home as a day care center did not affect the general plan.  Such an interpretation, they said, would preclude such activities as freelance writing and babysitting.

 

8-01-02

Breaking News » Secretary Thompson Announces Creation of the HHS Office on Disability - Accelerates Departmental Work on the New Freedom Initiative

 

Breaking News and Charter & Public Schools » Read the article from MIRS 7/31/02 - Cyber' Schools — Only A Matter Of Time?

 

Breaking News » Gongwer 7/25/02 - Engler Nearly Completes Budget Work

 

7-31-02

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » U.S. Secretary Rod Paige Explains "Adequate Yearly Progress" under the new No Child Left Behind Act and How it Will Affect States and Schools.

 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind Act » Frustration Grows as States Await 'Adequate Yearly Progress' Advice - State officials are frustrated and worried over a lack of federal guidance on setting annual performance targets for schools, as required by the nation's major education law. Fueling their concerns are preliminary simulations in more than a dozen states that suggest a majority of their schools could be identified as needing "improvement."

 

Conferences & Events » September 17, 2002 - Satellite Town Meeting with Rod Paige, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, for K-12 educators, to be broadcast on national television.  Contact:  USDE, 800-872-5327; e-mail: Satellite.Town.Meeting@ed.gov; Website: www.ed.gov/inits/stm

 

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Transition » Read the article "Teachers step out" - Roseville Union instructors working as interns hope to bring back new insights and skills to the classroom.

 

Breaking News and IEP Issues - High Stakes Testing » Read the article "Schools: Many who failed MCAS quit" - Boston school officials announced findings yesterday that a significant number of the students in the Class of 2003 who failed the high-stakes MCAS exam in the spring of 2001 and who did not take the retest in December of 2001 have dropped out of high school.

 

Conferences & Events » On Sunday, August 4th at 1 p.m., the South Lyon Cinema will be having a special showing for all autistic/special needs kids and their friends and families of the Disney film, "Lilo and Stitch" - click here for more info.

 

Breaking News and General Ed Reform - Literacy » Support for Reading Recovery:  Letters to the Editor of Education Week

 

Breaking News and College » Read the article "More parents pay for college guidance" - Educational consultants assist families in the application process.

 

Child Care » Topic Completed!  Be sure to check this section out for information on Respite, Child Care Organizations and Publications related to Child Care.

 

7-30-02

Breaking News » Paige Announces "No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools" Recognition Program {source}

 

Breaking News » Supt. Watkins talks education's future - He may not be endorsing a candidate for governor this time around, but state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Watkins had plenty to say about the future of public education and Michigan's young people during a stop in Gaylord Monday to present at the summer Transition Institute at Treetops Resort.

 

Breaking News » Who Really Profits: Despite Failing Classrooms, Voters Rejected Move

 

Breaking News » Medicare "Homebound" Rule Update

 

Early Childhood » Early Childhood: Conference Explores the Learning Business  {source}

 

Breaking News and Disability Info - Mental Impairment » New Edition of AAMR Classic Defines Mental Retardation

 

Moving to Michigan? » Pontiac school district adds Montessori option - A new, free Montessori program in the Pontiac school district may appeal to parents looking for a different kind of school program for their preschool-age children.

 

7-29-02

Conference Calendar » Click here to submit your conference, workshop or event to appear on our calendar.

 

Disability Info - Dyslexia and Breaking News » Read the article from the Boston Globe "Gene flaw causes dyslexia, researchers say" - Study boosts theory on teaching phonemes.

 

7-28-02

Court Cases of Interest » Court opinion: Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School District, 509 U.S. 1 (1993).  Petitioners, a deaf child and his parents, filed this suit after respondent school district refused to provide a sign-language interpreter to accompany the child to classes at a Roman Catholic high school.

 

Learn About the Patient's Bill of Rights » Read the article from Reuters Health "Managed Care Blocks Disabled from Care: Report"

 

Cultural Issues » Education gap tops agenda at Hispanic conference - Hispanics must convince the rest of the nation it is crucial to the prosperity of the United States that Hispanic children get an education, a national Hispanic leader said Saturday at a conference here. {source}

 

7-27-02

Breaking News » Read the CAUSE Board Members Resignation Letter

 

Breaking News » Action Alert: Senator Harkin's Disability Commission Wants Interpreting Stories

 

Breaking News » San José: A City of Solutions - 10 Positive Ways A Mayor Can Help Improve Public Education

 

Breaking News » Action Alert: President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

 

Breaking News » Engler Vetoes House Bill 4990 - On July 23, Governor Engler vetoed HB 4990 (click here to view the pdf letter) which would have increased the maximum number of members permitted to serve on the SEAC.  In his letter, Governor Engler directed the State Board of Education to meet the state statute regarding SEAC and return to 27 members. You will be receiving additional correspondence over the next several days from the State Board of Education and your SEAC Executive Committee regarding next steps. To view the complete progression of the bill, log on to www.michiganlegislature.org and type in 4990 under "bill number." You will be linked to HB 4990's web page and can download the actual bill language and any analyses that were filed - Information from Fran Loose and Joanne Winkleman.

 

Subscribe to the weekly bridges4kids News Digest - To subscribe, send a blank email to: bridges4kids-NewsDigest-subscribe@yahoogroups.comYour email address will remain confidential and will not be used for other purposes.

 

Conference Calendar » October 22, 2002 - 4th Annual Peace Leadership Conference - click here for more information.

 

Conference Calendar » August 13-14, 2002 - Growing Sharp Minds - Training of Trainers & Presenters - download the power point presentation on this opportunity (no longer available) - click here.

 

State & National Links - Education » New and Improved Discover IDEA CD-ROM 2002 - This CD is designed as a research and training tool for administrators, professors and students in higher education, families, advocates, policy makers and service providers who strive for quality education for all children.  Contents of the CD include the IDEA Statute (PL105-17) and No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); indexed Final Regulations; hundreds of print-ready policy and practices documents; overheads and fact sheets; links to related laws (Rehab Act, Headstart, ADA, FERPA); and contact information for federally funded technical assistance projects.  This CD is now available at the IDEAPractices Website.

 

7-24-02

Breaking News » Department of Education requesting comments on commission report

 

7-22-02

Breaking News and Recent Court Cases » Vouchers: Proceed with Caution - The Supreme Court’s Cleveland ruling, a stunning victory for public education reform, could loose a boa constrictor on private schools.

 

Breaking News » Drug Use Falls Among School Children, Study Says - Drug, alcohol and tobacco use among school students fell sharply in the last school year, according to a study released on Wednesday, which linked the decline to changes in attitudes after the Sept. 11 attacks. {source}

 

Breaking News » School Choice for Special Ed {source}

 

Breaking News and Statistics » Playing the Numbers Game With Dropout Rates - L.A. Weekly examines how fraudulent dropout rates are being reported at some schools in California. According to the authors, the chicanery around dropout rates begins with the state of California itself, which does not conform to widely accepted standards for counting dropouts honestly and accurately.

 

Breaking News and Cultural Issues » Macho or Sweetness? Why Immigrant Girls Succeed - This is no aberration. Immigrant girls consistently outperform boys, according to the preliminary findings of a just-completed, five-year study of immigrant children -- the largest of its kind, including Latino, Chinese and Haitian kids.

 

 

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