11-28-02

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » Gongwer 11-27-02 Federal Regulations Could Push Up Charter Schools

Events Calendar » Pete and Pam Wright's Boot Camp - December 6-7, 2002 - info

11-25-02

Breaking News, Statistics, and IEP Issues - Testing » NY Students Ousted for Stats? - Thousands of struggling students were discharged by high school administrators more concerned about their own job evaluations than the students' futures, say some public officials and children's advocates.

Events Calendar » 2nd Annual Immersion Learning about Self-Determination in Las Vegas on March 30 - April 3, 2003 - info

11-23-02

11-21-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-20-02 Governor's Appointments

11-20-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-19-02 State Announces Locations for Wireless Classrooms

Ask the Attorney » Question: My child has been diagnosed with depression and is receiving medication and counseling. The school evaluated her and found her ineligible for special education under IDEA as they claimed that her impairment did not adversely affect her education. They never considered §504 eligibility and now at various web sites I see that she may be eligible for services and accommodations under that law. When I told the school this, they said "oh we have many students who are depressed and take medications and we do not do anything special for them". What should I do?  Answer: Click here to see John's Answer.

Children At-Risk » Nation's Largest Gathering of School Drop-Out Prevention Specialists Assemble in DC - Over 800 Leaders and Volunteers from 30 States Highlight Best Practices Helping At-Risk Students.

11-18-02

Breaking News and Statistics » MI C.E.P.I. Adds Pupil Count to Website - Visitors to the Center for Educational Performance and Information Web site will now be able to find the pupil headcounts for every school, school district and intermediate district in the state, director Andrew Henry announced Monday.  The information, which was collected by the Department of Education before CEPI's creation, is posted in the Download Data section of its site: www.michigan.gov/cepi.

Breaking News and Financial Aid » MI Gongwer 11-18-02 P.A.S.S. Scholarship Program Wanes - A program created in 2000 to help low-income students earn two-year associate degrees from community colleges is going largely unused because its qualification requirements have made far fewer students eligible than supporters anticipated.

11-17-02

Breaking News » MI Recent Activity of Michigan Legislature 11/17/02

11-16-02

Breaking News and Supt. Watkins » MI Watkins wants Granholm to revamp education department

Ask the Attorney » Question:  I am concerned that my child's teacher has not been trained in my child's specific disability and therefore has a difficult time understanding my child or implementing my child's IEP. What does the law require?  Answer:  Click here to see John's Answer.

Learning Disability (LD), IDEA Reauthorization and Literacy » Researchers support early intervention for all children with reading difficulties
   

Fundraising Ideas » Call4aCure would like to offer parents of autistic children a way to help them pay for the DAN protocol treatments for detoxifications, lab test, physical therapy, speech therapy, bubbles, etc....Call4aCure thinks this is a great fund raising idea that would generate a constant flow of contributions each month.  Organizations are getting creative in their fundraising methods (trading donated old cars for funds).  Why not use phone service?  Click here to download the pdf flyer on this program.

11-15-02

Breaking News and Supt. Watkins » Reform education agency to help Michigan students - The state that gets its system of education right will have "No Child Left Behind." I want Michigan to be that state. As Albert Einstein said, "We cannot solve the problem with the same thinking we used to create it." For the sake of our children, let the revolution of new thinking begin.

11-14-02

Breaking News » TX Mother Finds Autistic Son in Handcuffs at School - A Houston-area mother who went to pick up her 8-year-old son at school said that she found him handcuffed and lying face down in his classroom in northwest Harris County.

Breaking News » Autism Vaccinations: What Do You Think? - Do you think childhood vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal contributed to the apparent rise in autism cases? Yes or No - To vote, please visit the following web page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/educationnews/surveys?id=1002031

Breaking News and Insurance » Disability insurer hit with class action lawsuit

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-13-02 School Closings Available on CEPI Website

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-13-02 Legislation Codifies School Facilities Authority

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-12-02 House Panel OKs Direct Patient Access to Physical Therapists

No Child Left Behind » No Child Left Behind Fact Sheets - Check out the following one page fact sheets on informative No Child Left Behind topics.

PAC/SEAC/SPAC Page Update » Dickinson-Iron ISD's PAC Website Added

IEP Issues - Transition » The Department of Special Education at the University of Maryland has received a three-year (2002-2005) OSEP funded outreach grant designed to support personnel serving students ages 18-21 with significant disabilities in postsecondary settings - read more.

11-12-02

Breaking News and Cultural Issues » TX Texas schools' 10% solution: Alternative to affirmative action under scrutiny

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » No Child Unrecruited - Buried deep within the new No Child Left Behind Act is a provision requiring public secondary schools to provide military recruiters with contact information for every student -- or face a cutoff of all federal aid. To many, requiring the release of personal information intrudes on the privacy rights of students - and they  plan to inform students of their right to withhold their records. [source]

Featured Website:  Education News - A great source of education-related news updated daily.

Literacy » C-A-T = CAT Online Phonics/Learn to Read Module - This online book/module is available for free online.

Disability Info - Obesity » IL Obesity surgery for kids emerges as drastic remedy
 

Breaking News and IDEA Reauthorization » A Timely IDEA, Rethinking Federal Education Programs for Children with Disabilities - This document, released by the Center on Educational Policy, includes essays by Thomas Hehir, former Director of OSEP, Larry Gloeckler, New York Director of Special Education, and Margaret McLaughlin, Director of a center for special education at the University of Maryland. (PDF format)

Kids & Teens and IEP Issues - Homework » Kids learn basics of research on the Web - includes web searching tips for kids and the best sites for homework help involving research.

Kids & Teens and IEP Issues - Homework » Education links and resources:  Links to Sites About Science

State & National Links » Click here for U.S. Regional Resource Centers.

Disability Info - Autism » The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has opened the Autism Information Center at www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddautism.htm.   You can find out exactly what Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/aic/about/default.htm. 

Inspiration » Article: Legally blind, Runyan in NYC chasing a dream

11-11-02

Breaking News » U.S. Law is not the problem - The rallying cry of "too much paperwork" is another attempt to obscure the important issues and specific requirements of the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that are under attack.

Breaking News » Gongwer 11-8-02 MI Charter Commission Officials Urge No Changes to Proposal

Breaking News » Gongwer 11-8-02 MI Weiser Still Not Leaving State Board of Education

Breaking News » Gongwer 11-8-02 MI House Committee to Take up University Board District Bill

Breaking News » Gongwer 11-8-02 MI Dating Violence Handbook Sent to Schools

Breaking News and Lead Poisoning » NY Lead Levels in Schools' Water Prompt Warnings and Shut-Offs - The New York City schools shut off drinking fountains and posted warning signs on sinks at one in five of its public elementary schools after finding high levels of lead in the water.

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Parents seek cure for school daze - Parents learn early starting times affecting families. [source]

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Getting them hooked up to life - A school-within-a-school teaches civic responsibility and creates student success. [source]

Breaking News » FL School can serve as anchor for homeless kids - Just about everything has changed for Deonte and Marquan Moore since their mother moved them and their two sisters to Orlando from South Carolina last year.

Breaking News, Juvenile Justice, and Statistics » Anti-Crime Study Boosts After-School Programs

11-10-02

Breaking News » MI State Superintendent Tom Watkins Calls For Statewide Early Start Pre Kindergarten

Breaking News » Questions about financing, school sites already surfacing - Pre-K Plan Raises Issues

Breaking News and New Legislation » MI Update on Michigan Legislation, Nov. 8, 2002 - Includes HB 6505: refusal of a parent or guardian to put a child on psychotropic medication is not abuse or neglect; HB 6472: income tax credit for child care and adult day care expenses; HB 6499: require certain percentage of state contracts to be awarded to businesses owned by persons with disabilities.

11-08-02

Positive Behavior Support » Forum Agenda: Michigan Positive Behavior Support Network - When? November 15, 2002 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Where? Cleary University in Howell, Michigan

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » RI Rhode Island may offer teachers alternate route to classrooms - Who is best equipped to teach -- the dedicated outsider or the trained professional? [source]

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » MI Gongwer 11-7-02 Education Board Considering Changes to Accreditation

Breaking News, Asperger's Syndrome, and ADHD » Pain, Waste, and the Hope for a Better Future: "Invisible Disabilities" in the Educational System by Margi Nowak, Ph.D.

Breaking News, Parenting, and Cultural Issues » MA Parents Learn English, So They Can Help Their Children

Breaking News and Advocacy » One-Click Activism - It's a would-be activist's dream come true: Someone with kindred values monitors Congress and alerts you to significant votes. Better still, they draft a letter to your congressional delegation and ask if you'd like it faxed right away.

11-07-02

Breaking News » bridges4kids Exclusive: MI Special Education Vote Impacts Statewide School Board Elections - A Bridges4Kids Analysis by Deborah Canja

Breaking News and School Climate » Deadly Lessons: School shooters tell why

Breaking News » MI Michigan School Election Results - Results for State Board of Education and University Board

Disability Info - Immune Deficiency » 'Bubble Boy' Fighting the Odds - From the day he came home from the hospital, Jacob "Ray Ray" Davis couldn't stop coughing.

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 11-06-02: 2002 Election Results - Historic Win for Granholm, GOP Gains Elsewhere; Republicans Keep Senate, House; Land, Levin Win; Cox Wins in Squeaker for Attorney General; also Top Races in Michigan

Breaking News and IDEA Reauthorization » U.S. Congressman Emphasizes Early Intervention to Prevent Special Ed

Breaking News » Medication: Pediatric Drug Testing Struck Down by Court

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Discipline » Are Time-Out Rooms Inhumane? - SPEAK OUT: Plan would limit schools' use of 'time-out' rooms.

Breaking News and Autism » U.S. American Academy of Pediatrics Will Look for MMR/Autism Link

11-06-02

Breaking News, Home Schooling, and IEP Issues - Accommodations » AZ E-mail classes get 'A' - Online program in Mesa credible, convenient, free.

Breaking News » TN New kindergarten: less play, more work

Inspiration » Story Added: Hope

11-05-02

Ask the Attorney » Question: My son is deaf and uses assistive technology to assist his hearing.  If the device is broken while at school who is financially responsible to repair or replace it?  Click here to see John's Answer.

Breaking News » Are "Time Out" Rooms Inhumane? - After hearing stories of children banging their heads against the walls of locked rooms or students spending hours alone in a school's "blue room'' or "white room,'' Minnesota officials are considering clamping down on school districts' use of time-out rooms. Special-education rules proposed by the state education department would ban locked time-out rooms and limit unlocked time-out interventions to 15 minutes an episode. But special-education teachers who oppose some changes say they need the locked rooms and greater flexibility with other time-outs to keep staff and students safe.

Breaking News » Schools Look to Parents for More Money - It has come to this: Parents buying teachers. While parents have long pitched in for special things in the classroom -- art supplies, field trips, computers -- paying for teachers and aides has taken parent support to a new level. As districts struggle with budget cuts, some schools are finding that parents are willing to donate significant amounts of cash if they believe it will improve their child's education.

Breaking News » MA Special-needs kids face MCAS hurdle - Until recently, graduation for many high school seniors in special-needs programs meant hard work, good attendance, and showing progress.

11-04-02

Upcoming Events » CHADD's Video and Book Night will take place December 12th in St. Clair Shores - info

Upcoming Events » Elementary Adaptations and Accommodations will take place on November 16 and 17 in Lansing - info

Breaking News - Election Information » Find out where your candidates stand

 
Breaking News - Election Information » Disability advocates remember Sen. Wellstone

 
Breaking News - Election Information » Bush signs election overhaul bill

 
Breaking News - Election Information » Action alert: Support candidates who favor stem cell research

 
Breaking News - Election Information » Complete coverage

11-01-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 10-31-02 AFL-CIO Leader Raises Education Concerns About Legislative Lame Duck Session
 

10-31-02

Breaking News » U.S. Schools to Be Allowed to Serve Irradiated Meat - Schools will be allowed to serve children meat that has been sterilized through irradiation,

the Agriculture Department has decided.

Events Calendar » Detroit Project Answer November Workshops: November 15 - Special Education Law & IEP - 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.; November 19 - Support Group for Dads - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.; November 21 - Support Group - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Transportation available upon request. Click here for more info.

10-30-02

Custody Relinquishment » The Secret Sacrifice - To get help for their mentally ill children, some parents have to give them up.

Community Living » Long Term Care Search on State Website - Residents can now research the long-term care facilities in their community at a Web site launched by the Department of Community Health, www.michigan.gov/ltc.

College & Financial Aid » Highlighted: 10 Best Resources Available on College Savings Plans - Next to buying a home and paying for retirement, the cost of sending children to college is the biggest financial challenge most parents face.

Breaking News » ADHD in girls comes in focus - When people think of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they imagine wound-up boys bouncing off walls causing non-stop frustration for parents and teachers.

Upcoming Events » Michigan PBS Network To Convene Their 1st Statewide Forum - November 15, 2002, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Cleary College, 3750 Cleary Drive, Howell, Michigan Room 220.

10-29-02

WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY.  SOME PAGES MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE.  THIS IS TEMPORARY.  WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE - 10-29-02 @ 3:12 p.m.

10-28-02

Breaking News » RI Jury deliberates for second day in lead paint case

Topics Updated:  Resources by State, Community Living, Kids & Teens, Hearing Impairment, ADHD, Learning Disability, and Epilepsy

10-27-02

Breaking News and Supt. Watkins » MI School chief [Watkins] battles Engler - State superintendent questions governor's plan for grant funds.

Breaking News and Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » Lead Poisoning: Maybe It's Beyond That - We've been thinking about tooth decay in a way that's almost like blaming the victim -- if your children have tooth decay, it's because you don't brush their teeth right, or maybe their snacking habits are bad. This study says that maybe its beyond that.

Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » Featured Website: The Alliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning - The Alliance is a national public interest organization formed by leaders in public health, environmental protection, affordable housing, and civil rights. The Alliance seeks to protect children from lead and other environmental health hazards in and around their homes by advocating for policy solutions and building capacity for primary prevention in communities throughout the US and around the world.

Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » MD Series on Lead Poisoning:  This series of investigative articles and editorials about Baltimore's lead poisoning epidemic and its underlying causes is a great example of crusading investigative reporting. This series also includes articles that describe the dramatic responses of state and local officials to the problem. The reporting is extremely high-quality, accurate and hard-hitting.  Series contains 7 articles.

Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » MD Studies suggest link between lead, violence - Experiment on rats indicates exposure hinders brain growth; Analysis tracks lead, crime.

Topic Completed:  Disability Info - Dyslexia
 

10-26-02

Breaking News » MI State education standards frequently revised - Special to the Detroit News by Dorothy Beardmore

10-25-02

Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » Why Some Children Can't Learn - Kyle lay down in the middle of the street on his way to school last October. He rested his too-small head on his book bag. And he told his little brother to go on without him. "I'm sick of living," his brother recalled him saying. "I'm just gonna wait here till a truck comes and runs me over. Don't worry, I just want to die."

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » U.S. States Get Federal Warning on School Standards
 

Disability Info - Lead Poisoning » Ignorance Is Not Bliss - Although the education community appears oblivious to the devastating consequences of  lead in the neighborhoods surrounding "failing schools," increasingly they are becoming the only ones to ignore the obvious.

10-24-02

Breaking News » MI Watkins says Engler Withholding Education Funds

Breaking News » MI Critics: Education plans lack initiative - Governor hopefuls' ideas are too sketchy, they say.
 

10-23-02

General Ed Reform » Creating the Peaceable School: A Comprehensive Program for Teaching Conflict Resolution
 

Inspiration » Story Added: Alexander the Great

Sections Updated: State & National Links and Disability Info - Autism

10-22-02

Breaking News » MI Lake Shore earns praise - District solves money woes, test scores rise.

Breaking News » CA Who Will Answer the Education Question? - A glum reality of California public schools is that children who are Latino or black generally learn less than Asians and whites.

Ask the Attorney » Question: My child has been found eligible for accommodations under §504 of the Rehabilitation Act for severe breathing problems related to asthma induced by various airborne allergens and chemicals. His §504 Plan calls for his classrooms to be sanitized daily and to be free of chemicals. This year I found out that before school started his room was chemically treated for an insect infestation and I was told not to bring my son to school for a week. They did offer home tutoring, which I refused. What can I do?  Answer:  Click here to see John's Answer.

Sections Updated:  Community Living, Hearing Impaired (HI), State & National Links, and Michigan News

10-21-02

10-20-02

Breaking News » bridges4kids Exclusive: Neuropsychological Evaluations Fact Sheet Now Available!  This fact sheet by Calvin and Tricia Luker is a Q and A on the subject.  File is in pdf format and is 204kb in size.

Breaking News and Early Childhood » A "Noble Bet" in Early Care and Education: Lessons from One Community's Experience - Executive Summary

IEP Issues - Related Services » Therapeutic Listing Tips Added

Ask the Advocate » Question:  I have a question about a child in General Ed.  He is allergic to bee stings and his doctor has prescribed an EPI-PEN for use in a life-threatening situation.  The school district policy is to keep meds locked up in the office, dispensed by staff, etc.  In other words, difficult to access in a situation where anaphylaxis can cause death in a matter of minutes.  The Mother has gone along with this.  Now the class is planning a field trip to an orchard and it's "bee season".  The new teacher is not as willing to "bend" the rules and carry the EPI-PEN as the previous teacher was.  Is this more of an ADA/504 issue?  Click here for the answer.

Disability Info - Autism (AI) » FL When Law And School Safety Collide: Autism Backlash? - Mainstreaming problem students can cause difficulties for others.

10-19-02

Breaking News » MI MIRS 10-18-02 A Deeper Look — Analyzing Proposal 4 - MIRS newsletter is pleased to present "A Deeper Look."

Disability Info - Autism (AI) » OH School for the Autistic Is Part Of New Study
  

Disability Info - Down Syndrome » Health Care Guidelines for Individuals with Down Syndrome

Disability Info - Learning Disability (LD) » Dr. Feldman, when teenagers become resistant and won’t listen to their parents, where can they turn for help? - click here for the answer.

Professional Development and School Climate » The Responsive Classroom: A Practical Approach for Teaching Children to Care

Disability Info - ADHD and IEP Issues - Gifted Learners » ADHD and Giftedness: What Do We Really Know?
  

Parental Involvement » Parents asked to help kids learn - Caregivers encouraged to spend 15 minutes a day reinforcing schoolwork; Involvement seen as critical; State to provide resources for education program.

Disability Info - Visually Impaired (VI) » New Tool Helps Blind Students Learn Math

Disability Info - Speech & Language Impaired » The Importance of Touch - Say the word "neat" and notice what happens: Your tongue rests briefly on the back of your front teeth, a column of air begins to flow from your lungs...you have coordinated a vast collection of muscles to produce an intelligible sound.

Disability Info - Mental Retardation » Death Row Decisions  - When Daryl Renard Atkins was in school, no one came to the conclusion that he was mentally retarded—or even in need of special education.

Disability Info - Autism (AI) and IEP Issues - Extra Curricular Activities » KS Differences bring girls together - Autistic girl and others learn life skills in special troop.
 

IEP Issues - Evaluation » Read the article from Wrightslaw "What You Should Know about Evaluations" - Your school system, under IDEA and its state counterparts, is required to fully evaluate any child who may need special education services "in all areas related to the suspected disability, including, if appropriate, health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communicative status, and motor abilities."

IEP Issues - Related Services » Music Therapy and Special Education

Literacy and Disability Info » How schools teach reading is again a subject of much public attention - As you know, the discussion is particularly focused on whether reading instruction is based on research, and if so, what kind.

Disability Info - Learning Disability (LD) and Early Childhood » LD and Your Child: An Age-by-Age Guide
 

Child Care and Early Childhood » MA Staples' growing child-care center serves as state, national model
 

Topic Added: Disability Information - Fibromyalgia

10-18-02

Public Health - Vaccination Information » UK Measles Virus Is Found In Boy's Brain After MMR - A child who developed severe epilepsy after receiving the MMR jab has been found to have measles virus from the vaccine in his brain.

Disability Info » What is Trevor's Problem? - Trevor's parents have always known he is intelligent. He can figure out the most challenging video games; he is creative and artistic. So why does he have so much trouble with school work?

10-17-02

10-16-02

Breaking News » MI Bauer Website Unveiled - Democratic State Board of Education candidate Elizabeth Bauer Tuesday unveiled her new campaign Web site at www.bauer4stateboard.com.

Sections Updated » Disability Topics - Learning Disability (LD) and IEP Issues - Goals & Objectives, Testing, and Related Services

10-15-02

Breaking News » MI MIRS 10-11-02 The State's Fiscal Crisis: A Slow Motion Train Wreck

Breaking News » MI MIRS 10-14-02 State Board Of Education Meeting Postponed - The regularly scheduled Oct. 17 State Board of Education meeting has been postponed. The Board will convene on Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. in a Committee of the Whole, followed by a regular meeting.

Ask the Attorney » Question: Our son is an elementary school student with autism (AI). Recently we went to an IEP meeting and discovered the school does not have a speech-language professional available to carry out the goals of the last IEP much less the one for next year. When I raised the issue with the special education director, she verbally told me that they are not going to write any goals for this school year when they know in advance that they do not have professional staff available to deliver the services. If the local school cannot fully service my child, I see no reason to send him to school.  John's Answer:  Click here to see John's Answer.

10-14-02

General Ed Reform - Leadership » Read the article "A Compass in the Storm" - Guiding principles for a new age of business and school partnerships.

Breaking News » As Parents Age or Die, More People Are Assuming Care of Disabled Siblings - Back in 1996, Pat Carver of Falls Church was not her brother's keeper -- not yet.
 

10-13-02

Breaking News and Inspiration » Anthony Carter's son is his No. 1 priority - Former U-M football star spends days caring for Anthony Jr.

Articles by County » MI Muskegon County Voters approved Career Tech Center

Disability Info - Down Syndrome » TX San Antonio kids are part of a video that's designed to show the world what people with Down syndrome can do

Articles by County » MI Midland County MCESA tackling improvement goals

Science News and Disability Info - OCD » Read the article "Like Drugs, Talk Therapy Can Change Brain Chemistry" - After six years of twice-weekly psychotherapy sessions, Eric had plenty of insight. But his anxiety level had barely changed.

IEP Issues - Extra Curricular Activities » PA Tunnelton horses used in therapy - Dylan McGrath's therapist, "Bambi," looks forward to her weekly half-hour workout with the four-year-old boy from Tarentum.

Articles by County » MI Sanilac County Sanilac County voters reject SISD ballot issues
 

10-12-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 10-11-02 Candidates for MSU Trustee Positions Focus on State Funding and Hope that Voters Find Them at the End of the Ballot

Breaking News » Read the article "Running Schools Like Business"

CORRECTION:  The 2002 Autism Arts/Essay winner is Adam Feinstein, the father of a nine-year-old son with autism.  Mr. Feinstein lives in Wimbledon, England and is editor of autismconnect and editor of the monthly international autism newsletter, Looking Up.

10-11-02

Ask the Attorney » Question:  I disagree with the proposed IEP. I expect to sign the form in disagreement and request a due process hearing to resolve the dispute. Until the hearing is resolved, I want to withdraw my child from her current school and place her in an alternative program. What are the ramifications of my action?  John's Answer:  Click here to see John's Answer.

Events Calendar » Nov. 7, 2002: International Precision Teaching Conference in Harrisburg, PA

Events Calendar » Nov. 4, 2002: It's never too early to plan! in Lawrence, Michigan - info

Events Calendar » Oct. 23, 2002: Services for adults with developmental disabilities 26 years and older - info

10-10-02

10-09-02

Breaking News and Juvenile Justice » MI Program gives problem teens second chance - Offenders praise Juvenile Drug Court.

Breaking News » Sununu, Shaheen Trade Volleys on Special Education - Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Rep. John E. Sununu traded charges Monday over paying for special education, a major part of many school district budgets.

Breaking News and Home Schooling » Featured Website! Home Schooling - "The homeschoolers did a spectacular job on their Spring Science Club submissions! See their work and try some yourself." - Homeschooling Guide Beverly Hernandez

10-08-02

Breaking News and Character Education » Academy Teaches Character - Grant will let 3 schools track progress, use plan as national model.

Bridges4Kids Book Review: The Man Who Would be Dad by Hogan Hilling

10-07-02

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 10-6-02 State Education Board Race Marked with Agreement

General Ed Reform » Groups offer support to children - Breaking up is hard to do — especially for children.
 

Disability Info - Hearing Impaired (HI) » Helping to fight the effects of being deaf - In a sense, Brett E. Holt is one of the fortunate.

Juvenile Justice » Troubled Kids, Far From Home - Probing care, oversight at treatment centers.

Disability Info - Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) » Inflamed joints, disrupted lives: Early diagnosis is key to fighting juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - Watching their daughter, Jessica, ride her bike is a pleasure that Alyce and John Drews didn't think they would ever enjoy.

School Climate » Positive & Productive: Coleman Elementary School kicks off behavior program

Early Childhood » District seeking donors for First Steps Washtenaw - Supporters of early-childhood program seek to fill state funding gaps.
 

10-06-02

Breaking News » MI Grand Rapids Children's Cochlear Implant Case: Amicus Brief

Breaking News » MI Michigan Judge Rules Deaf Boys Needn't Undergo Surgery

10-05-02

Breaking News » MI Deaf mom gets the 'no' she wants - The judge who ruled against forcing two deaf boys to get cochlear implants said Friday she believes the devices would help them -- but it's not up to her to decide.

Breaking News and Disability Info - Depression » Young and Depressed - Ten years ago this disease was for adults only. But as teen depression comes out of the closet, it’s getting easier to spot—and sufferers can hope for a brighter future.

Breaking News » CA L.A. Unified to Keep 16 Schools Segregated for Special Education - Ruling: The decision by a federal judge was prompted by parents' opposition to integration.

Disability Info - Visually Impaired (VI) » MA Blind Voters Want Privacy - Jim Kinsellagh voted differently than most people casting ballots in the Massachusetts primary election.

Disability Info - Hearing Impaired (HI) » Read "NTID tries to learn why deaf find science difficult"

Parental Involvement » Parents, step forward - When I moved to Washington, D.C., a number of years ago, I learned one thing very quickly about the school my children would attend. Get involved, neighbors told me – but don't overdo it.

Section Updated » Sources of News Worldwide - click here.

IEP Issues - Other Resources and Literacy » Ohio Department of Education: Choosing a Reading Program: A Consumer's Guide (PDF) - Descriptions and evaluations of 21 programs used in Ohio elementary schools.

10-04-02

Breaking News and SEAC » MI State Superintendent Tom Watkins Challenges Michigan's Special Ed Advisory Committee (SEAC) to Set a Proactive Agenda for the Coming Year - A Bridges4Kids Report on the October 2nd meeting by Deborah K. Canja

Breaking News » OR Protest faults disputes over special education - About 30 parents and former teachers picketed a conference for special education providers Tuesday, saying Oregon and Washington school districts are wasting time and money on attorneys instead of providing services to children.

Breaking News » Voices of Students: The Struggle of Different Learners

10-03-02

Breaking News » MI MIRS 10-2-02 Warren Calls for Single Election Day

Breaking News » MI MIRS 10-2-02 Report: Focus on Teacher Retention

Events Calendar » October 17th: Auditory Integration Therapy and Visual Therapy and its benefits for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sterling Heights - info

Breaking News and Supt. Watkins » MI Watkins Encourages Voters To Defeat Proposal 4 - Constitutional Amendment will Tie Hands of Lawmakers as They Grapple with Current and Future Budget Shortfalls.

Breaking News » MI "Oral Health & Autism - What Parents Can Tell Dentists" - Call for Volunteers to Participate in a Focus Group.

Breaking News » MI Michigan Teacher of the Year Award Nominations

Breaking News » MI Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award Nominations

Breaking News » MI Legislative Updates - New Legislative Activity Involving Children/Education In the Michigan Legislature.

Breaking News » Commentary: Training Disabled Students

Breaking News and Autism » MA Allegations resurface at unique school for autistic children

Breaking News » Hyperactive girls escape detection: More suffer from ADHD than thought, study finds

10-02-02

Breaking News » MI Legislation Introduced to Put Programs Back into the MI Dept of Education

Breaking News and Tutoring » U.S. States Suffer Halting Start On Tutoring - At least five states have been operating under the impression—mistaken, according to the Department of Education—that none of their public schools must meet a key requirement in the new federal education law this school year.

Breaking News and Early Childhood » Midland County ESA to give family support - Some teachers soon will make pupils’ homes their classrooms.

Events Calendar » November 23, 2002 (All Day Workshop) The PLAY Project Presents: High Functioning Autism,  Advanced Training in the DIR Model, and Autism - The Family Perspective - info

Disability Info - Mental Illness » Are People With Mental Illness More Violent Than Other People?

Parenting & Adoption Support » Just Released! Helping Your Child Series
   

Now there are more ways than ever to contact Bridges4Kids!  To ask a general question, submit a suggestion, comment or idea, click here.  To ask a question regarding the educational rights of a specific child, click here.  To submit a Special Education Law-related question to our attorney, click here.  To submit a Special Education-related question to our advocates, click here.

Breaking News and Literacy » Read the Detroit Free Press article "All citizens are damaged by illiteracy"

10-01-02

Breaking News » MI Interview with State Board of Education Candidate Elizabeth "Liz" Bauer

Breaking News » MI MIRS 9-30-02 State Nets $64.8 Million For Mental Health - Michigan will be receiving an additional $32.4 million in federal financial participation this fiscal year, and another $32.4 million next fiscal year to be distributed to local Community Mental Health Service Programs across the state.

Breaking News » MI Gongwer 9-30-02 Governor's Appointments - GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN'S JUSTICE: Joyce de Jong of Byron Center succeeds Dennis Smallwood as a representative of medical examiners and Susan Cohen of Birmingham succeeds Jeffery Collins as a representative of the legal community, both for terms expiring June 30, 2004.

Breaking News » U.S. National PTA Delivers Education Funding Message to White House and Congress

Breaking News » Action Alert! Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bid Plan

9-30-02

Learning Disability (LD) and ADD/ADHD » Paying for a Disability Diagnosis to Gain Time on College Boards
 

Ask the Attorney » Special Education Law Questions and Answers - Question: "I am a parent of a child who has just been found eligible for special education services. When I talk with other parents of special education students and with school officials they are always talking about the 'law and rules'. What laws and rules are they referring to? How do I become familiar with them?" John Brower's Answer: Part 4: The Local Role and Suggestions - Download all four parts in one document - pdf version

Breaking News and Professional Development » Professional Development Opportunity - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. offers a fully funded study program in Japan. Fifty secondary school teachers (grades 9-12) from Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia - states where Toyota operates major facilities - will be selected to travel to Japan in June 2003 to learn first-hand about education, culture, environment and technology and how these affect industry and society.  Deadline: January 13, 2003

Breaking News and Inspiration » Thriving on Challenge: Attorney Focuses on Life, Not Disability

Conference Calendar » All Grown Up and No Place to Go? October 15th (Grand Rapids) 7-9 p.m. - info

Early Childhood » Early Intervention For Children with Disabilities - Learn about the history of early intervention, the evidence that shows it works, an explanation of different programs, and what you should expect from a good program.

Early Childhood » Read the article "WVU research looks into role of parents in preschool"

State Resources - South Dakota » Gone fishin' - About a dozen students from Children's Care Hospital and School spent Saturday fishing for largemouth bass and bluegills in Alvarez's manmade fishing hole.

Learning Disability (LD) » An Encouraging Story: A Learning Disability Doesn't Mean A Student Can't Excel

Learning Disability (LD) » Learning Disabilities: Notes from Secondary Teachers

Learning Disability (LD) and Early Childhood » Eye Problems Sometimes Mistaken For Learning Disabilities - Kids' Vision Problems Often Go Unnoticed.

Disability Info » LHS Maumee Youth Center for Asperger’s Disorder Opens (Toledo, OH)

Sections Updated » International Links, Resources by State, and Autism

9-29-02

Breaking News » MI Special Needs Daycare Survey - Michigan residents only, please!

Breaking News » 'Modest' Changes Seen for Special Education - A year ago, Republicans and Democrats seemed to be girding for a showdown over special education.

Breaking News and Disability Info - ADD/ADHD » CHADD Concerned that U.S. House of Representatives Hearing Features Multiple Church of Scientology Affiliate Spokespersons

IEP Issues - Gifted Learners » Read the article "Gifted students in Troy get chance to excel at early age" - District expands program to 1st grade.

Upcoming Events » Recognizing Depression And Anxiety Chat - Oct. 9, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (ET) with Douglas G. Jacobs, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, the parent organization of  National Depression Screening Day.  National Depression Screening Day is October 10.  After this difficult year of terrorism and economic downturn, should you be screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety?  Learn about the symptoms of these illnesses, how they often occur together, and what you can do to take control of your mental health.

Michigan News - Detroit » After-school activity programs pay off - Skillman Foundation reports $25 million invested for kids over decade.

Conference Calendar » New Hampshire State Summit "Children & Adolescents: Shared Responsibility, Shared Benefits" in Bedford, NH on October 18 and 19, 2002 - contact Barbara Raymond at 603-271-3791 for more information.

Sections Updated » State & National Links, Resources by State, Contact Your Legislator, Book Reviews, Legal Research, and Disability Info