Breaking News and Disability Info - ADD/ADHD » From the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs: "Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Resource for School and Home" - (PDF; size=421k) Includes legal requirements..."An educational evaluation also includes an assessment of the child's productivity in completing class work and other academic assignments. It is important to collect information about the percentage of work completed as well as the accuracy of the work. The productivity of the child with ADHD can be compared to the productivity of other children in the class."

Breaking News and Community Living » MI Thumb Area Seeking to Establish a Regional Interagency Coordinating Council to Promote Inclusion of Disabled Residents - For the second time in three months, a Huron County group of citizens met to create a local Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee (RICC). Primarily, the group came to receive input from Terry Hunt and Angela Hoff. Hunt is a representative of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). Hoff is a representative of the Blue Water Center for Independent Living (BWCIL).

Upcoming Events » MI FAS/FASD Resource & Support Workshop (Ongoing; once a month) at 31900 Utica Road, Fraser, MI 48026. Join other families that are caring for loved ones with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Each month we will discuss resources in our community. Contact Shelly L. Bania at CARE (Community Assessment Referral Education) sbania@careofmacomb.com for more details.

Breaking News » MI Freeze It For The Kids - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office is shopping around the idea of pausing the scheduled .10 percent cut in the income tax with the $115 million in projected savings going toward softening the scheduled K-12 budget cuts.

Breaking News » MI Department of Education To Partner on NCLB Requirements - As reported in the Nov. 19 edition of MIRS, the State Board of Education today voted unanimously to have the Department of Education enter into a partnership with outside experts to help ensure that Michigan meets the benchmarks set forth in the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

Breaking News » MI ED Yes Report Cards Delayed Until January 30 and Other Action From 11/20 Meeting of Michigan State Board of Education - After being inundated with appeals of grades proposed under the Education YES! accreditation system, the Department of Education has put off public release of those report cards until the end of January.

11-20-03

Breaking News » MI Death Probe Frustrates Mom - Portage woman seeks answers about restraint of son at Parchment school. Nearly three months after the death of her son at Parchment High School, Elizabeth Johnson is searching for answers. She doesn't know the cause of his death. She hasn't been told the details of what happened. She doesn't know for sure how or why her son was physically restrained by school staff, or why medical personnel weren't called sooner. Today would have been the 16th birthday of Michael Renner-Lewis III. Instead of celebrating, the Portage mother is filled with frustration at police and school officials as the investigation into the boy's death continues.

Breaking News and Disability Info - Autism » U.S. Government Mapping Out a Strategy to Fight Autism - Propelled by the skyrocketing number of diagnoses of the perplexing brain disorder autism in children, federal officials have for the first time mapped out a long-term, interagency plan to deal with the problem. The plan includes objectives like the development of teaching methods that will allow 90 percent of autistic children to speak; the identification of genetic and non-genetic causes of the condition; and adequate services for all afflicted children in the next 7 to 10 years.

Breaking News and Insurance » MI Blues Praised for MICHiLD Support - Insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has entered into a two-year partnership with the state to fund the MIChild program for uninsured children. More than 34,000 children are currently enrolled in the health insurance program, which is designed for uninsured children of working families. The program typically covers checkups, immunizations, pharmacy, dental, hospital and emergency care, prenatal care and delivery, vision, hearing, mental health and substance abuse services. The partnership will be worth $33 million over the next two years. It will allow the program to continue in its current form, in which qualifying families pay a monthly premium of $5 for their child's health insurance with no additional co-pays or deductibles. [Source: Gongwer]

Breaking News » MI Forum Gets Earful From Youth; Safety, Education are Among Top Concerns - The Detroit Free Press and the Skillman Foundation brought together 100 community leaders, teenagers and others Saturday to discuss the most pressing needs of southeast Michigan youth -- and did they get an earful.

Breaking News » MI Report Calls For Increasing School Taxes - Proposal A of 1994 left school funding to the whims of the economy and is short-changing some schools, particularly those with falling enrollment, according to a report from the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University.

Breaking News » MI Researchers Suggest Property Tax Hike to Keep Current School Funding Levels - Michigan Chamber Calls it a "Nutty" Idea - A pair of Michigan State University researchers suggested today that a two mill property tax increase would protect the $6,700 per pupil funding level through the current budget crisis by eliminating the School Aid Fund’s reliance on the General Fund.  

Breaking News » MI Mayor Proposes Major Changes For Detroit Schools - In a blunt speech Tuesday evening to Detroiters outlining 40 years of failed management of the Detroit Public Schools, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick unveiled a proposal to restore an elected board for the district while more clearly placing the mayor's office in charge of education.

Breaking News » MI 03-04 Budget Deal: Will it Include Cutting School Aid Categoricals? - A deal to complete budgetary cuts and changes to the 2003-04 budget may be reached quickly, a number of sources indicated Wednesday, and part of the impetus for a fast resolution may be the looming problems of the 2004-05 budget. Before that budget is even drafted, officials in the administration of Governor Jennifer Granholm indicated to lawmakers that there could be base adjustments-i.e. cuts-in programs of nearly another $700 million. The Wednesday Michigan Report should have indicated that the Michigan Association of School Boards would be willing to look at categoricals including hold harmless funding as part of the 2004-05 school aid budget negotiations, but would not be willing to consider any proposal that would recapture fund balances from school districts as a means to balance the budget.

Breaking News » MI Michigan Department of Ed. Preps For NCLB - "I brag on you everywhere. Michigan is getting it right." Sandy Kress, former education advisor to President George W. Bush and co-author of the No Child Left Behind Act.

11-19-03

Upcoming Events » MI The Grand Ledge Sun Theatre Presents: "Brother Bear" - A private movie screening for children with Autism or special needs, their families, and caregivers. Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 1:00pm at the Grand Ledge Sun Theatre in downtown Grand Ledge, 316 S. Bridge Street, Grand Ledge, MI. As always, the lights will be a bit brighter, the sound a bit lower, and no need to worry about kids who need to move around or make some noise, etc. (Email if you need better directions). Admission for the show is $3.00.  Grand Ledge is approximately, 1 hour from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Flint and Brighton just west of Lansing. For more information contact Colleen Tinsey, 517-622-1959, ctinsey@att.net.

11-18-03

Upcoming Events » MI “Putting The Pieces Together” Conference Series will take place on February 26-27, 2004 at the Midland Holiday Inn, Midland, MI. Featuring Laura Barker, MS, OTR “Sensory Processing-Making Connections” and Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP “Visual Strategies for Improving Communication and Behavior”. Additional information can be viewed at http://www.mcesa.k12.mi.us.
 

11-17-03

Breaking News » MI Mental Health Program is Model For Nation - When Aaron Cook-Garmyn grows up he wants to be a scientist and discover cures for all the world's diseases. While he's at it, he'd also like to invent a snake, a really nice one that eats only vegetation. Aaron is smart, with an IQ of 146 -- just below genius level. But the 14-year-old struggles with obsessive-compulsive traits, like picking at his fingers incessantly. He's been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and has anxiety to the point of once refusing to go outside for the summer for fear a bee would sting him. He can be prone to angry outbursts. He's suffered severe depression.

Breaking News » U.S. Internships for Students with Disabilities - Having a meaningful summer internship is a key factor in successful transition from college to employment. Having a network of contacts to open doors to opportunities is another. The Emerging Leaders internship program for students with disabilities offers both advantages.

Breaking News » MI Put to the Test: Requirements For Teachers' Assistants to Change - School workers who help the neediest students are frustrated, angry and insulted by new demands that force them to prove they are qualified to do their jobs.

11-16-03

Child Care » New Section Added: (Michigan) Licensing, Provider Info, Resources & Start-up Info

Upcoming Events » MI Applying Behavioral Principles to Every-Day Life - This is a 5-week series. All participants must attend the 1st workshop. Week #1: An Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis on February 5, 2004; Week #2: Working Through Difficult Behavior at Home & in the Community on February 12, 2004; Week #3: Parenting a Special Needs Child – Coping and Support Strategies on February 19, 2004; Week #4: Overcoming Issues Related to Eating on February 26, 2004; Week #5: Developing an Individualized Toilet-Training Plan on February 28, 2004 (Plymouth, Michigan) For more information call 734-454-0866 or visit http://www.sphlangsys.com.

11-15-03

Bella's List of Michigan Disability/Special Ed/Special Needs Listservs (A-Z) » Page updated.

Upcoming Events » MI OCC/ASA Social Group for Adults in the Autism Spectrum "After Hours" will take place on the 1st Thursday of the the Month from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. at Castle Gardens Condos Clubhouse, 30217 Utica Rd, Roseville, MI 48066. Those 21 years and over with HFA, Asperger's or PDD/NOS are invited to the monthly social outings. Details can be obtained by phoning the OCC/ASA chapter line at (248) 393-3131.

Upcoming Events » MI OCC/ASA Social Skills for Adults in the Autism Spectrum "9 to 5" will take place on the 3rd Thursday of the the Month from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. at the Bloomfield Hills Public Library on Lone Pine/Telegraph. Focuses on addressing the social skills needed on the job or in relationships. Most "9 to 5" meetings are scheduled at the Bloomfield Township Public Library. Space is limited to 18 participants 21 years and older. Please call the OCC/ASA chapter line at (248) 393-3131 for more information.

11-14-03

No Child Left Behind » Policy: Supplemental Educational Services Guidance (Word) - Guidance on supplemental educational services, which refer to additional academic instruction designed to increase the academic achievement of students in low-performing schools.
 

No Child Left Behind » Policy: Charter School Program Guidance (Word) - Non-regulatory guidance addressing questions the U.S. Department of Education has received regarding various provisions of the Charter Schools Program statute, including those related to student admissions to charter schools, the use of lotteries, private school conversions, and the involvement of for-profit organizations in charter schools.

11-13-03

Breaking News » MI Advocates Urge Shifting Some Nursing Patients to In-home Care - The Granholm administration's 10 percent cuts to the Medicaid home care program could be prevented by instead moving 14,025 nursing home patients with no intensive care needs to community-based care, an advocacy group said Wednesday. The Olmstead Coalition, an organization of senior and disability rights groups, briefed a number of legislators during the day on their proposal, which they said would save $512 million. The group said in-home care costs about $46 per day per person compared to $100 per day per person. The administration has indicated it was moving away from its proposal after vigorous public comment against it. [Source: Gongwer]

Breaking News » MI Michigan News November 12, 2003 - Michigan House OKs Exempting Nonviolent Minors From Sex Offender List - Most minors convicted of having underage consensual sex would no longer be required to have their names listed on the state's sex offender registry under legislation unanimously passed Wednesday by the House. Michigan Senate OKs Jail Options for Drunken Minors - Underage persons who consume alcoholic beverages would face potential jail time for repeat offenses and charges could be based not just on possession of beverages but detectable amounts of alcohol in the body under a bill that won passage Wednesday by the Senate. MEA and Michigan Chamber Agree on Use of School Rainy Day Funds - The Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce can hardly be described as political soul mates, but on the issue of spending down some of the reserves in some school Rainy Day funds, the two groups appear to be on the same page.

Disability Info - Visually Impaired (VI) and Community Living » New Video Releases with Descriptive Narration from DVS Home Video - DVS Home Video®, an initiative of the Media Access Group at WGBH, announces the availability of six new film titles on home video-fully described for viewers who are blind or visually impaired. These feature films, available to order November 24, include Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Seabiscuit, Matrix: Reloaded, Bruce Almighty and The Lion King-Special Platinum Edition.
 

Literacy and Disability Info - Learning Disability (LD) » Featured Website: Scientific Learning: A new way to learn - The Fast ForWord family of products develops the critical thinking, listening, and reading skills that are necessary for success in the classroom, the workplace and in everyday life. The Fast ForWord family of products use neuroscience principles to create an optimal learning environment that enables you to: Simultaneously develop multiple skill sets to maximize learning, Identify reading and language difficulties, and Attack the underlying causes of these difficulties.

11-12-03

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » U.S. Wrightslaw Explains Reading and No Child Left Behind - Because two-thirds of students are not proficient readers when they graduate from high school, No Child Left Behind focuses on teaching children to read.

Breaking News and Parenting » Featured Website: Early Childhood Links

11-11-03

Breaking News » My Brother's Keeper - In thousands of families, an emerging generation must care for a disabled sibling when parents are no longer able. Even when they were ailing, Betty and Alvin Ford refused to talk about their son's future. So when the elderly Mount Washington couple died - little more than a year apart - all responsibility for David Ford fell on his sister's shoulders.

Ask the Attorney » Question: The local school district recently certified my children as learning disabled. In my opinion, my children do not require direct special education instruction or support services. What they do require is just a few basic accommodations to be successful in a regular education setting. That would include such accommodations as extended time on testing, extended due dates on written assignments, etc. The school district has refused to create a §504 Plan, and will not even meet with me to discuss §504. They tell me that as my children are eligible for special education that all services and accommodations must come to them via their IEP. My question is “are my children entitled to separate §504 plans?” Answer: Click here to see John's Answer.

Breaking News » MI Oakland Schools Probed - Sitting at her dining room table surrounded by stacks of documents, Ruth Johnson is fast on the paper trail. For the last nine months, Johnson, a state representative from Holly, has spent hundreds of hours day and night trying to understand the inner workings of a bureaucracy like the Oakland Intermediate School District, how it spends a $240 million budget and why, in Johnson's words, it wastes so much taxpayer money.

Study Topics » Spelling Resource: A free course for spelling help - This free, thirty unit spelling course has been made available courtesy of Marie Rackham, author and producer. She worked as a public school teacher for thirty-four years, teaching at all levels from kindergarten to grade twelve.

11-10-03

Disability Info - Depression » Topic Completed.

Upcoming Events » "Asperger’s Syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children & Adolescents" will take place on December 11, 2003 in Grand Rapids, MI and December 12, 2003 in Livonia.  Topics include Autism Spectrum And Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Pdd): An Overview, Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), Subcategories Of Related Conditions: Review And Comparison, AS & Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Strengths And Challenges, Behavioral management Strategies: An Overview Of Effective Interventions, Coordinating Support Systems: Integrating Community Services. For more information visit http://www.health-ed.com/Michigan/MIaspergers.htm.

11-09-03

Miscellaneous resources added.

11-08-03

Upcoming Events » Free Webcast: "Transitions: Managing Change Through and After School" will take place on December 1-5, 2003. Facilitators will provide resources, ideas, and strategies for managing the transition from school. For more information, log onto www.inclusiveschools.org or just join the discussion on the same website anytime between December 1-5, 2003.

Upcoming Events » Free Web Forum: "Supported Literacy Learning: Children with Disabilities and Others Who Need Help," an online forum for educators and families, will take place on November 17-21, 2003. For more information, log onto www.inclusiveschools.org or just join the discussion on the same website anytime between November 17-21, 2003.

Upcoming Events » Telephone Seminar: "Building Reciprocal Relationships with Families: Accountability, Personalism, and Culture in Special Education" will take place on December 1, 2003 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. (EST). This telephone seminar will focus on the challenge of building personalized, reciprocal relationships with families of children in the special ed system. For more information or to register, click here.
 
11-07-03

Breaking News, IEP Issues - Testing, and No Child Left Behind » The Special Ed Dilemma - Advocates say holding special ed kids to the same standards as everybody else is a step forward, but critics say it makes no sense. It produces dumbfounded stares and sighs of frustration. Yes, special education students now have to take regular tests. And the kicker? They are expected to do just as well as students without the same problems.

Breaking News and General Ed Reform - Leadership » Guiding Principles for Principal Professional Development - "E-Lead," a free website resource dedicated to providing states and districts with guidance about and information on the professional development of school principals, was launched through the partnership of the Laboratory for Student Success and the Institute for Educational Leadership. [Source: PEN]

Breaking News » MI Commentary: Family Friendly Jury Duty Bill in Michigan House Judiciary Committee - House Bill 4455 (permitting full- and part-time parents and guardians of children under the age of 4 who care for the child at home at least 20 hours, Monday through Friday, 9 - 5 the OPTION to defer jury duty) is currently under advisement in the House Judiciary Committee.

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » Great Resource: A Translation Guide to Education Jargon - Here's a sentence somebody might say these days in a school near you: "Now that we have to disaggregate scores on a CRT, I don't see how Title I kids are going to make AYP." If you understood that, face it: You're a hopeless education nerd. But parents and other people interested in schools need to recognize some of the jargon common in a discussion about the No Child Left Behind education law.

Breaking News » MI Cut Means 2.9 Percent Less For Schools - School administrators should begin making plans for a $196 reduction in their state per pupil foundation grant of $6,700 per student under a process kicked into gear today by the Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM administration.

Breaking News » MI 'Jail For MIPs' Bill Smoothed Out - A controversial bill that gives judges the option of sentencing jail time for young adults twice convicted of minor in possession of alcohol (MIP) won over some previously skittish lawmakers after it was changed to allow jail time only for those youths who violate their probation.

Breaking News » MI Michigan House Panel Holds Teacher Development Bill - Objections from major education groups may have at least temporarily held off an end to teacher professional development requirements. House Education Committee Chair Brian Palmer had planned Thursday to report SB 366, but instead held off action until next week, saying some members needed further education on the value of the measure.

Breaking News » MI Senate OKs No Grade for Lost MEAP Tests - If the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test sheets for a school were lost, then no accreditation grade could be given that school under a bill passed unanimously Thursday by the Senate.

Breaking News » FL Florida Is First State to Receive Education Flexibility - Florida has been approved under the new State Flexibility Authority Program, making it the first state able to consolidate certain federal formula funds to use as they deem appropriate for state-level priorities, in exchange for increased accountability for student academic progress.

IEP Issues - Transition » Guide for Employing People with Disabilities - In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ED released a guidebook suggesting ways that businesses can find qualified workers with disabilities, put disability & employment research into practice, & learn from successes in integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce.
 

Upcoming Events » MI Autism: One Family's Response will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on November 13, 2003. For more information call (734) 434-4215 or visit http://community.mlive.com/cc/wacc.

Upcoming Events » TV & Webcast: Education Beyond High School will take place on November 18, 2003 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. (EST). What kinds of postsecondary options are available? What types of courses should students take at the middle & high school level to prepare for postsecondary education? These are among the questions to be addressed in "Education Beyond High School: Preparing Academically & Financially." For more information, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html.

Upcoming Events » MI Anger Management for Students Ages 15-18 will take place on November 12th, 19th and 26th and December 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 6:00-7:30 PM at CARE, 31900 Utica Rd., Fraser, MI 48026. Call 586-541-0033 to pre-register or for more information.

Upcoming Events » MI Luncheon Lecture Series "Helping Children and Families Cope with Special Challenges" will take place at the Multi Media Conference Room, Balas II Building, 2725 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI.  Dates and topics vary: November 13, 2003 from 12 Noon - 2 PM: “Autism: One Family's Response” with Ann Telfer; February 18, 2004 from 12 Noon - 2 PM: “Oppositional Defiant Disorder” with Dushyant Trivedi, M.D.; March 18, 2004 from 12 Noon - 2 PM: “Depression in Children and Adolescents” with Anne Kramer. Contact 734-434-4215 or visit http://community.mlive.com/cc/wacc?display=sched for more information.
 

11-06-03

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Testing/MEAP » MI High School MEAP Results Not Pretty - Maybe Michigan's public high schools would have preferred the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) test results for public high schools had stayed lost. The data that was released was not flattering.

 
Breaking News » MI Joint Adult Ed Committee Formed - The legislature is launching a new bi-partisan, bi-cameral blue ribbon committee on how the state's adult education system can be restructured to survive the $60 million cut it shouldered during the last round of budget talks.

 
Breaking News » MI Michigan School Pro-Ration Notice Expected; M.E.A Opposes Cuts - Michigan's K-12 schools are expected to be notified by the Granholm administration on Thursday of a $349.7 million proration cut in their state aid allotments for the current year, worth about $200 per pupil, sources said Wednesday. That will begin a 30-day time period for the Legislature to consider alternatives or means to mitigate the reduction.

11-05-03

Breaking News » MI Congratulations First Call Ottawa - Michigan's 4th 2-1-1 Call Center! - The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today designated First Call of Ottawa County as the 2-1-1 community resource information and referral answering point for Ottawa County. Congratulations to the whole staff of First Call of Ottawa County for leading 2-1-1 in your community and Michigan.

Professional Development » Attention 9^th - 12^th Grade Teachers: Professional Development Opportunity - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. offers a fully funded study program in Japan. Secondary school teachers (grades 9-12) from Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and West Virginia - states where Toyota operates major facilities - will be selected to travel to Japan in 2004 to learn first-hand about education, culture, environment and technology and how these affect industry and society. Deadline for applications is January 12, 2004.

Breaking News » VA You Paid for This? School Boards Hiring High Priced Attorneys to Fight Parents! - Hampton Roads taxpayers have paid millions of tax dollars to high powered law firms to represent local school boards, often times in disputes with parents over special education students. The parents of these students say they want due process for their children, to give them every opportunity. But critics argue school boards are spending your money to hire expensive attorneys to defeat the parents and the children.

Ask the Attorney » Question: My son was kicked out of a Charter School for his behavior. I home school him now, but he has been diagnosed with ADHD and his special needs are too much for me when trying to teach him at home. I want to get him back into school, but I know he needs a 504 plan in order for him to be successful. What options do I have? Answer: Click here to see John's Answer.

Legal Research » New list added: Law Related Mega Sites

11-04-03

Breaking News, Supt. Watkins, and No Child Left Behind » MI State Looks to Bridge Student Achievement Gap - Determined to close a yawning achievement gap between Michigan's white and minority students, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins has created the first state-level position to try to address the stubborn problem.

Charter/Private Schools » New Resources Added: Find a charter school in your area and Michigan Association of Public School Academies

Breaking News, IEP Issues - Testing, and No Child Left Behind » MD Some Parents of Special-ed Students Oppose Plan for Testing - If Maryland's special-education teens were required to pass last year's High School Assessment exams to graduate - which the state is considering requiring all students to do - 90 percent of them would not earn their diplomas.

Upcoming Events » MI Understanding Your Child's IEP-MEAP, MI-ACCESS, Alternative Assessments and District Assessments - This workshop will take place on November 17, 2003 in Pinckney, MI - Click here for more info.

Breaking News and College/Financial Aid » Spring and Fall 2004 Internship Opportunities for College Students with Disabilities - The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) has created a new internship program which seeks to recruit qualified college students with disabilities to intern in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the federal government. A total of fifty (50) students will be selected to participate in this program in 2004. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will offer technical guidance and support to implement this one-of-a-kind initiative.

Breaking News » Autism Arts Wants Your Art! - Autism Arts is currently collecting artwork from individuals with an autism spectrum disorder for our 2004-2005 Holiday Card Collection. Deadline for submission is June 15, 2004.

Lead Poisoning » Meeting Minutes Added: Click here to view the Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force Compliance Subcommittee Meeting Minutes, October 20, 2003. Click here to view the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: A Call to Action Task Force Education and Outreach Subcommittee Meeting, October 21, 2003.

New Section Added: Downloadable Publications & Resources

Breaking News » MI Granholm Surprised by Cut Support at First Forum - Attendees at Governor Jennifer Granholm's first televised forum on needed budget cuts showed a general interest in holding off the coming income tax cut, but were willing to look at cutting some areas of the budget that surprised even the governor.

Breaking News » MI Human Services Group Says Michigan Tax Cuts Cost State $4.5 Billion - Tax cuts enacted in Michigan since 1999 have cut revenues nearly $4.5 billion, the Michigan League for Human Services said in a study. If the tax cuts had not been enacted, the group argues, "Michigan could have weathered the recent mild recession without making deep spending reductions."

11-03-03

Breaking News and Inspiration » TX Queen for Life: Jones Named Homecoming Queen - The big moment in Cy-Fair High School's homecoming celebration wouldn't come for another two hours, but Shannon Jones had already won the most important contest. That she was on the field at all, posing for photos with the rest of the homecoming court, was a testament to her own personality, her sister's love and changing public attitudes.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Goals & Objectives and Accommodations » Grading Students with Disabilities - Research tells us what kinds of grading adaptations can produce fair and meaningful grades for all students. Despite decades of research and advice, grading remains a controversial topic for educators.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - MEAP » MI Roeber to Head MEAP Effort - Edward Roeber has been named director of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program office in the Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins said Thursday.

 
Breaking News » MI Michigan House OKs Limits on Teen Drivers' Passengers - First-year motorists would face potential limitations on the number of unrelated passengers they can have in their vehicle, but the restriction would have a number of loopholes under a bill narrowly passed Thursday by the House.

Breaking News » MI Early Childhood Education & Care Public Hearings - Early Childhood Education & Care: Be Informed! Get Involved! Please join your State Representatives for Public Hearings on Early Childhood Education & Care, Hosted by the Task Force on Early Childhood Education & Care, Chaired by State Representative Jennifer Elkins. The hearings will take place on the following dates. For further information, please contact the State Representative listed: November 10, 2003, Grand Rapids, MI (Hosted by Representative Michael Sak) 517-373-0822; December 1, 2003, Berkley, MI (Hosted by Representative Andy Meisner) 517-373-0478; December 8, 2003, Harrison, MI (Hosted by Representative Jennifer Elkins) 517-373-8962.

Breaking News » MI Action Alert: Opportunity to Comment on the Development  of the Next Phase of Michigan's MI - Access Alternative Assessment Program - All comments will be read and taken under consideration. Comments are sought from teachers, administrators, parents and all others interested in the education of students with disabilities. Proposed Phase 2.1 Assessment Plan - http://www.cmc2.tv/miacd/phase2.html; Proposed Phase 2.1 Assessment Plan Survey- http://esrealitycheck.com/rc/takeit.asp?i=1295513; If you have questions or concerns, please contact: Peggy Dutcher, Coordinator, State Assessment for Students with Disabilities, Michigan Department of Education, Phone (517) 241-4416, fax (517) 373-7504, dutcherp@michigan.gov.

IEP Issues - Inclusion » Resources Added: A differentiated classroom provides different avenues to acquiring content, processing or making sense of ideas, and developing products. Click here for information on Differentiated Instruction. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a new paradigm for teaching, learning, and assessment, drawing on new brain research and new media technologies to respond to individual learner differences. Click here to learn more.

Breaking News » Featured Website: MI CLiMB - Clarifying Language in Michigan Benchmarks - A Resource Developed by Teachers for the Michigan Department of Education. Provides clarifications, resources, instructional and assessment examples for five content areas: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts. To view the Michigan Benchmarks, click here (PDF).

Events Calendar » The Wayne County Autism Society presents ASM's Sally Burton-Hoyle on November 5, 2003 in Wayne County, MI.  Dr. Burton-Hoyle will be working with attendees on issues such as goals & objectives, positive behavior support, and more.  Click here for more info.

Positive Behavior Support and Disability Info - Autism » Red & Green Choices - Find 19 Free Printable Charts to Help You Help Children Model Appropriate Behavior. Developed by an intervention resource room instructor working in an inclusionary model school, the "Red and Green Choices" positive behavioral development strategies, work for a wide age range. "Cindy T's Circle Time" is directed to younger students - a full color picture book for teachers to use during class time. "Niki's Next Grade" is a chapter-book story told by Niki who wants to make a "green next grade plan" with no help from adults this time! Powerful and motivating for adults and children!

IEP Issues - Inclusion » Quick-Guides to Inclusion 3: Ideas for Educating Students with Disabilities - This free* e-book will provide you with a quick and easy way to share important information about inclusion with your colleagues! You can download the entire e-book or pick and choose among the guides included in the e-book: Differentiated Instruction, Literacy, Supporting Friendships, Self-Determination, High School Classrooms, and Students Who Use Wheelchairs.
 

11-02-03

Bella's List of Michigan Disability/Special Ed/Special Needs Listservs (A-Z) » Page updated; listservs added.

11-01-03

Upcoming Events » MI MCC/ASA Presents: "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" - A private movie screening for children with Autism, their families, and caregivers. This special viewing will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2003, at Chesterfield Crossing Cinemas, 50675 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI. Doors open at 9 a.m.; movie begins at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $1.00 for kids and $2.00 for adults. Please RSVP and pay by November 17th. Call 586-264-9086 for more information.

10-31-03

Lead Poisoning »  MI Has Your House Poisoned Other Children? - Check the address of your home against the list of Michigan homes that have contributed to the lead poisoning of infants and children. Log onto http://midata.msu.edu/bll and submit the form to find out.

Find Help For a Child Anywhere in the U.S. » Resource added to all states: Fight Crime: Invest in Kids - Law Enforcement support for programs preventing juvenile crime and violence.

10-30-03

Breaking News and Nutrition » CA Sale of Junk Food at School Banned - The Los Angeles Unified School District decided Tuesday to secede from Candyland. Its 713 campuses next year will be kicking out Twix, Snickers and M&Ms in favor of more healthful treats, such as nuts, baked chips, fruit snacks and pretzels.

Breaking News » MI Education Cuts Loom for Michigan Districts - Laying off teachers, consolidating classes and charging for extracurricular activities are some of the changes local school districts are pondering as state officials decide how to tackle Michigan's latest fiscal crisis. The state is $350 million short in money for schools this year. Officials are weighing whether to make a $196 per-pupil across-the-board cut or trim specific areas, such as vocational studies and programs for at-risk students.

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » MA Massachusetts Governor Details a Plan to Aid Troubled Schools - Saying he is "very, very troubled" over educational achievement gaps, Gov. Mitt Romney wants to encourage underperforming school districts to improve by offering them full-day kindergarten, greater leeway in firing decisions, and merit pay for teachers. The governor hopes to address the lagging MCAS scores in the state's worst school districts with a host of innovative ideas, some of which he said will "challenge the education establishment."

10-29-03

Breaking News and Parental Involvement » CA System Keeps Schools in Touch With Parents - After a gun battle erupted near Stevenson Ranch Elementary School in Santa Clarita two years ago and left two people dead, administrators evacuated the school and scrambled to contact parents to pick up their children. They relied on word of mouth, handmade signs and a phone tree to reach parents. [Source]

Find Help For a Child in Michigan - Jackson County » Children Often Can't Verbalize Their Grief, So Symptoms May be Hard to Spot - In the world of adults, talking represents the most common way to deal with grief. But for children, words are sometimes the last resort. Jennifer Willson, 12, mourned the loss of her grandmother, Barbara Dixon, by decorating a candle in a tin coffee can and setting it out on the waters of a serene Michigan lake.
 

Breaking News and School Climate » Featured Website: L.E.A.N On Us: The Law Enforcement Awareness Network - It is the mission of L.E.A.N. On Us to provide first responders with information and resources that will allow them to better serve individuals within their communities affected by hidden disabilities and mental illness. The Law Enforcement Awareness Network is currently assisting in the development of training programs by identifying needed services. In doing so we feel we will be able to assist in fulfilling the need for such valuable training for First Responder Personnel within all of our communities.

IDEA Reauthorization » The National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems (NAPAS) has a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the IDEA, S. 1248, and H. 1350 on its website.  Click here to view the side-by-side comparison in PDF format.

IEP Issues - Gifted Learners » Broward Parents Find Programs Inadequate for Gifted Children at Some Schools - Alex Ruiz began reading at age 3. Now the bilingual first-grader already is polishing off Harry Potter novels and adding four-digit numbers. His mother, Dalida, pulled him out of Peters Elementary in Plantation recently, opting for a new charter school. She says she couldn't get his previous school to give him the advanced academics he needs.

Breaking News and School Climate » PA Students' First Lesson: Getting Along in Peace - At Penn Valley Elementary School in Levittown, lessons don't begin until students finish their morning meeting - where they learn to make eye contact, greet one another by name, and often discover something interesting about a classmate. [Source]

Breaking News and Charter Schools » MI How the Unions Killed a Dream - A Philanthropist withdraws his offer to donate $200 million to Detroit's inner city public schools. In 1999, an unassuming Michigan road builder named Bob Thompson sold his construction company for $442 million, an amount he and his wife Ellen believed was far more than they needed for retirement. [Source]

Literacy » Resource Added: The Adolescent Literacy Web Topic is packed full of research-based information on literacy and is now available on the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) Web site.
 

10-28-03

Breaking News » NAMI Conducting Survey on Children and Adolescents with AD/HD - NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) is conducting a national survey of parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with AD/HD. The survey is brief and can be completed in a short amount of time. Survey Deadline is November 7, 2003. [Source: CHADD]

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » MI Parent Notifications Required in Michigan by No Child Left Behind Act - The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize the notifications that school districts and public school academies are required to provide to parents under the No Child Left Behind Act, and to clarify these requirements in light of the delay in the availability of 2002-03 MEAP results and calculation of 2002-03 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Testing » MI Schools in Focus: Meap Test Primer - It's considered one of the single biggest barometers of how schools and students across Michigan are performing: the MEAP test. But as parents across Michigan and Metro Detroit await individual student MEAP scores this month, many admit deciphering the MEAP acronym -- Michigan Educational Assessment Program -- is tough enough without trying to understand the scores.

Breaking News » MI Oakland School Board Demotes its Interim Leader - The man the Oakland Intermediate School District chose to lead it through its most tumultuous time was demoted Monday, and board members are expected to begin interviews today for his replacement.

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » NC Efforts Pay Off to Close Achievement Gap - Encouraged by a big jump in this year's test scores among minority students, a growing number of educators say North Carolina could eliminate the racial achievement gap in the next few years.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Inclusion » MI Parents Work for Universal Education - Special-needs kids join general classes with help of group. With a little help from his friends, Trent Orginski, 12, rapped out his book report for his seventh-grade classmates at Pathfinder School.

Breaking News » Commentary: Little Chair - Long Table - Remember that first IEP team meeting for your child? Let’s see if we get this right. You’re a young mother and you’re probably alone. You’re a little nervous, maybe even scared about what is supposed to happen at the meeting. You walk into the IEP team meeting room. You see the little chair and the long table. Across the table from you sit six or seven people with degrees and titles who say they "know" your child. They hold your child’s evaluations and other paperwork in front of them that you’ve never seen. During introductions it seems like everyone else has a title like Mister, Mizz or Doctor, while you’re "just a mom."

Breaking News » MI Jelinek: K-12 Will Be Cut - Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks), chair of the Senate Appropriations K-12 Subcommittee, told MIRS on Thursday that he sees no scenario other than cuts in K-12 funding as a result of the pending $897 million shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2004 budget. Whether it's a cut in categoricals or a cut in the $6,700-per-student foundation grants, the sacred cow of state government funding will face some slicing.

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » No Parent Left Behind - Educators have recognized for some time that parent involvement plays a critical role in student achievement. Especially in urban districts it has become increasingly clear that failure to enlist parents as partners seriously hampers any school-reform efforts.

Breaking News and Charter Schools » MI AYP for Charter School Management Companies? - Schools managed by six companies fail to perform as well as low-scoring traditional public schools.

Breaking News and Parental Involvement » CA PTA Looks to Recruit More Males, Minorities - Most members are women; group steps up outreach plans across the country.

Bridges4Kids NewsDigest » New edition published October 27, 2003 - click here to read it online.

Events Calendar » MI Workshop "Understanding Your Child's IEP" will take place on November 17, 2003 in Pinckney, MI - click here for more info.

Summer Camp and Home Schooling » Concordia Language Villages - A program of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.  Language immersion experiences for students ages 7-18. 14 different language villages are available. Campers live, eat, learn etc. in a setting that simulates a foreign country. One week and two-week sessions are offered as well as one-month high school and college credit sessions. Credit abroad programs are available. Call 1-800-222-4750.

Upcoming Events » MI Sudden Death in Young Athletes: Research Project - This young athlete screening will take place on November 8, 2003 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m at the Ingham Regional Medical Center Greenlawn Campus in Lansing, Michigan.  Most sudden deaths of healthy, young athletes are caused by undetected heart defects. This research study is designed to identify young athletes at risk, but will not identify all cardiac abnormalities. Pre-registration is required and participation is free. Participants will be screened and receive a 2-View Echocardiogram, EKG, blood pressure check, height, weight and body mass index, and physician assessment of heart sounds. To participate call 517-367-5159 or 1-877-224-4325.

10-27-03

Breaking News » Coelho Speech on Disability and the 2004 Election - On Friday, Tony Coelho -- former U.S. Congressman, original House sponsor of the ADA, current AAPD Board Member -- delivered a powerful address to the New York Law School. In the speech, Coelho challenged all ten presidential candidates to develop a solid, meaningful, more-than-rhetoric agenda to reach the original goals of the ADA and improve working opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

Breaking News » MI M.E.A.P. Alternative Drawing Cheers, Concerns - The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals is pushing to switch at least high school students from taking the Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests to the ACT, and Governor Jennifer Granholm this week said she would be willing to consider alternatives to the venerable state test.

Breaking News and Parental Involvement » Parent Power - What sets this program apart from most workshops aimed at parents is that each graduate of the institute is expected to commit to planning and executing a project that addresses an area of weakness in his or her school or district. [Note: Registration is required before viewing this article at edweek.org.]

Book & Video Reviews » The Autism Experience: Stories of Hope and Love - In January 2003, Karen Simmons, the CEO of Autism Today invited people to submit stories, poems and articles for possible publication in a new anthology. The book is ready to be shared with every one, including YOU. Don't miss out on reading this "chicken soupable" anthology on Autism.  For more information, click here.

Upcoming Events » MI Everyday Miracles: A New Support Group for Parents Children with Asperger's - This group meets at The Cornell Center in Port Huron (1025 Court, Port Huron, MI) every third Tuesday of the month from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. For more information call 810-987-9500.

Events Calendar » MI Autism Spectrum Disorders Training Day will take place on December 4, 2003 in Lansing, Michigan. The purpose of this session is to provide information on socialization strategies, including development of a peer-to-peer support program, behavioral management and curricular management for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Click here for more information.

10-26-03

Breaking News and Professional Development » We Care, Therefore They Learn (PDF) - Closing the achievement gap begins with teacher encouragement, says researcher Ronald Ferguson in this Journal of Staff Development interview (September 2003). Ferguson and others are spreading the word that teachers who provide both emotional support and "instrumental assistance" can help students close academic gaps. (size=225k; Source: PEN)

Breaking News and School Climate » OR Good Manners Matter in Oregon School - Politeness keeps classes running smoothly, critical in crammed classrooms. [Source: PEN]

Events Calendar » FREE TELECONFERENCE "Childhood Brain Tumors: An Update on Survivorship" will take place on December 3, 2003 - Click here for more info and how to participate/pre-register.

IEP Issues - Self-Determination » Resources Added: Inclusion Daily Press - Your quick, once-a-day look at disability rights, self-determination and the movement toward full community inclusion around the world.  Self-Determination Technical Assistance: Creating A Learning Community - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's National Program on Self-Determination, March 1997

IEP Issues - Transition » Parent Sharing: Transition Websites Added.
 

Breaking News » U.S. Public Policy Update from NACDD - Contains a brief summary of major Federal legislation of interest to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities remaining in this 1st Session of the 108th Congress. [Source: NACDD; 10-24-03]

Breaking News and Cultural Issues » Featured Website: Proyecto Vision - The First National Technical Assistance Center for Latinos with Disabilities was launched in order to address the lack of outreach to Latinos and to also assist Latinos with accessing critical services that lead to employment. Through the program, disabled Latinos will be able to access employment information through a toll-free hotline that provides bilingual technical assistance and also through a bilingual listserv. More information is also available by calling their Bilingual toll-free hotline at (866) 367-5361.

Breaking News and Disability Topics - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) » Gene Found for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - U.S. and Japanese researchers said on Thursday they had found a genetic mutation that causes obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses, and said some patients had a second mutation that made their conditions worse. The rare finding could make it easier to discover good treatments for the disorder, one of the top 10 leading causes of disability worldwide.

Events Calendar » Using Visual Strategies: A Make 'n Take workshop with Sally Burton-Hoyle and Kathy Johnson. This workshop will take place in Howell, MI on December 8, 2003 - Click here for more info.

Events Calendar » Early Identification & Intervention Programming for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Dr. Solomon will take place on November 1, 2003 in Midland, MI - Click here for more info.

10-25-03

Breaking News » MI Senate Debates No MEAP Test Results, No AYP Grade - Schools that saw more than 25 percent of their students' Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) test results vanish during the now-infamous grading delay this past summer will not see a letter grade this year as part of the new Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standard, under legislation debated in committee today.

IEP Issues - Gifted Learners » Grouping Gifted Students - Can gifted students receive effective instruction in the regular classroom? Lisa Benson, a classroom teacher, observes that in her experience, gifted students quickly become frustrated in mixed-ability classes, especially those gifted students who exhibit a high degree of creativity. Further, she believes that the typical large classroom lacks the necessary resources to serve all students well. Do most researchers agree with this practitioner's assessment? John Holloway's reviews current research on ability grouping in classrooms and concludes that schools have many options for meeting the needs of gifted students in both homogeneous and mixed-ability grouping arrangements. 

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Testing » "Cram Schools" on the Rise - For children of Asian descent growing up in and around New York City, cram schools are a part of life. Starting in the third grade and continuing through high school, hundreds of students drag themselves to these private tutoring classes, long a tradition in the Far East, day after day, after school, on weekends and over the summer. Now, growing numbers of non-Asian parents are enrolling their children in the schools. [Source: PEN]

Breaking News and Community Schools » Shared Facilities: Youth Organizations and Schools - Jane Quinn of the Children's Aid Society presents a sound argument for "joint-use" agreements to support the use of schools as centers for the whole community. [Source: PEN]
 

Breaking News » MI Michigan Students Won't Get Laptops - Gov. Jennifer Granholm intends to cancel state funding for a much-publicized computer laptop program for sixth-graders because of the state budget crisis.

Lead Poisoning » MI Learn About Current Legislation: HB 5115, HB 5116, HB 5117, HB 5118, and HB 5119

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » TX Booking Success at Stop Six School - "We have children at Walton who don't know the alphabet. They can't write their name. They don't know how to open up a book. They don't even know what a book is for. Yet, over the past decade, the school has found a formula for success, rising from the lowest possible rating of low performing to the state's second-highest rating of recognized.

Advocacy and Disability Info - Learning Disability (LD) » Talking About Learning Disabilities - The National Center for Learning Disabilities has developed a LD Advocates Guide to explain how best to engage policymakers and the media on issues affecting the LD community. The Guide also provides a primer on key issues affecting the fields of learning disabilities and special education.

IEP Issues - Assistive Technology and Evaluation » Responsibility of School Systems to Pay for Independent Assistive Technology Evaluations - "If the public agency does not, as part of its evaluation of the child in all areas of suspected disability, assess the functional capabilities of the child as they relate to the need for assistive technology, the parents have the right to seek, at public expense an independent evaluation if they believe the evaluation conducted by the agency fails to address appropriately the child's needs in this area."
 

IEP Issues - Assistive Technology » Michigan Resource: Michigan's Assistive Technology Project - Provides information on  the Grass Root Education and Empowerment Network, Assistive Technology News, Local Projects & Coalitions, Assistive Technology and Cognitive Disabilities, Resources, and  more.
 

10-24-03

Breaking News » MI Michigan State Board of Education Treasurer Elected - John Austin (D-Ann Arbor) is the new treasurer of the Michigan State Board of Education. The board elected Mr. Austin at its meeting in Evart on Thursday. He succeeds Herb Moyer (D-Temperance), who was elected vice president last month to succeed Sharon Gire, who left the board to become director of Office on Services to the Aging. [Source: Gongwer]

Breaking News » MI Cool Named Champion of Education for DNR Curriculum Provided Free to 4th Grade Teachers Who Request It - Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director K.L. Cool today received the Champion of Education award from the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. Cool is the second recipient of the award in the organization's 78-year history and the only non-educator to receive the award.

Events Calendar » New Insights in the Diagnosis, Neurobiology, Genetics and Treatment of Autism will take place on November 2, 2003 in New York - Click here for more info.

Upcoming Events » December 1-5, 2003: 3^RD Annual National Inclusive Schools Week to Focus on Families! - Plan events and activities for December 1-5, 2003, with a Celebration Kit containing publications that outline the benefits of inclusive schools, suggested readings for children and adults, celebration ideas and lesson plans, and materials to use in promoting the Week. The 2003 Kit also includes "Fostering Effective Family-School Linkages for Inclusive Schools," which is filled with classroom and school celebration ideas that honor the diverse heritages and cultures of the nation's children and suggestions for improving family-school partnerships.

10-23-03

Breaking News » MI Action Alert: Input Requested; Restraint Report to be Issued by MPAS - Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service (MPAS) is preparing a report on the death of a child with autism who was restrained while in school. MPAS is currently seeking input from individuals who have suffered a restraint-related injury and is documenting other similar incidents in order to support its call for elimination of these practices. If you live in Michigan and would like to provide input, please call the Autism Society of Michigan at 1-800-223-6722 or visit their website at http://www.autism-mi.org/contact.html to fill out a contact form electronically.

Breaking News » MI Michigan Senate Panel Hears Testimony on Mental Health Bills - Testimony before a Senate committee Wednesday contained varied responses to a package of bills that would allow assisted outpatient treatment for the mentally ill. The legislation is similar to what Sen. Tom George (R-Portage) introduced in April 2002 (when he was in the House) in response to the Kalamazoo bus station beating death of an Evanston, Illinois, man by a paranoid schizophrenic from Ypsilanti.

No Child Left Behind » Check out the Education Commission of the States' "No Child Left Behind State side-by-side Comparison" - To view or compare progress on the states of your choice, visit http://nclb.ecs.org/nclb/ then click on "State Comparisons" on the left-hand menu.

10-22-03

Breaking News » MI Bill Increases Pesticide Use Notice At Schools - Parents would have at least two days' notice before pesticides are applied on school or day care center grounds under a bill under consideration by the House Agriculture and Resource Management Committee.

Breaking News » MI Testimony Taken On Suicide Prevention in Michigan Legislature - Today the House Education Committee took testimony on HB 5059, a bill that would require school districts to include age-appropriate curriculum on the warning signs of childhood and teen suicide. As the testimony unfolded, there appeared to be universal consensus, including the bill sponsor Rep. Chris Ward (R-Brighton) that the bill is a work in progress that still needs considerable work.

Breaking News » MI ISD Panel Moves Toward Use Of Subpoenas - Today, the House Education Subcommittee on Intermediate School District Review voted 3-2, along party lines, to authorize the panel's chairman, Rep. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) to sign subpoenas for individuals to appear before the subcommittee. The full House granted the subcommittee subpoena power in May. Today's action is a step toward actual use of the power.

PAC/SEAC/SPAC » PAC Website List Updated: Are we missing your PAC page?  If you know of any additional PACs that are online (or have a contact person who is willing to accept questions), email the info to us and it will be added to this page.

10-21-03

Lead Poisoning » MI Action Alert: Lead Bills to be Discussed at Health Policy Committee Meeting - HB 5116, HB 5117, and HB 5118 will be discussed at the Health Policy Committee meeting on 10/29 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 521 of the Anderson House Building in Lansing. Public testimony is encouraged.

Breaking News, Disability Topics - Learning Disability (LD), and No Child Left Behind » NCLB and Students with Learning Disabilities: Opportunities and Obstacles - The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), the Bush Administration’s bold federal school reform law, includes benefits to students with learning disabilities (LD), as well as some barriers that might prevent these same students from enjoying all of the opportunities in the law.

Breaking News » MI ISD Hearing Set for Noon, October 21, 2003; No Public Testimony - Rep. Ruth Johnson's sub-committee on Intermediate School District Review will meet on TODAY, October 21 at noon in Room 326 of the House Office Building to discuss the issuance of subpoenas to ISD's. There will be debate/discussion between members and a vote taken. No public testimony will be heard.

Breaking News and Professional Development » Parker J. Palmer: Honor the Human Heart - Parker J. Palmer is a writer, teacher, and activist who works independently on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change. In this interview with the Journal of Staff Development, Palmer discusses his seminal work "The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life" (1997) and the responsibility schools have to nurture those who work in them.

IEP Issues - Transportation » Transportation for Students with Disabilities: What Does IDEA Say? - Bus drivers raise concerns about transporting students with disabilities. Many feel they are not appropriately trained on what to do for these students in case of an emergency or other challenges students with disabilities may present. Transportation is a "related service" under IDEA.
 

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Testing » MD Putting Students to a Big Test - New Prince George's County schools chief André J. Hornsby will require students in the eighth and ninth grades to take the PSAT, a national test designed for eleventh-graders preparing for the SAT college-entrance exam. [Source]

Breaking News, IEP Issues - Testing and Gifted Learners » MI Granholm Moves MEAP Back to Education - With the delays of the last Michigan Educational Assessment Program test scores release still fresh in the public's mind, Governor Jennifer Granholm did Monday as she had earlier promised and issued an executive order moving administration of the statewide test back to the Department of Education.
 

Breaking News » MI FIA Seeks Comment on Family Assistance Grant - The Department of Human Services is seeking comment on its plans for using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) public assistance funds as part of its renewal of the federal grants.

Breaking News, College, and Home Schooling » Guide to E-Learning 2003 - US News & World Report's guide includes a searchable directory of distance learning courses, certificates, and degrees, as well as articles on current trends in online education.

Events Calendar » Events from the Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit: Winter classes beginning soon; registrations now being accepted. Choose from Martial Arts, Swimming, Gymnastics, Art, and more! Check out this season's schedule.

Events Calendar » Prairie Northern Pacific Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Conference "Our Communities, Our Strengths" will take place on November 19-21, 2003 in Winnipeg, Manitoba - Click here for more info.

Events Calendar » Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) 101 will take place on November 24-28, 2003 in British Columbia - Click here for more info.

10-20-03

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Inclusion » Don't Take Sides on Inclusion - I am far more aware than most that it really is possible to get inclusion right. I'm also far more aware than most of just how wrong "inclusion" is when it's not right.  My child will no longer pay a price for my ideology. He's paying a different price right now -- the price of being segregated from his non-disabled peers. I get to live with the guilt of allowing this. Supporting it, even.

Breaking News » MI House Bill 5065 Ignites District Fight - Citing an immediate need for parents to take control of their children's education, state Rep. Shelley Goodman Taub, R-Bloomfield Hills, has a plan she believes would assist them in that endeavor. The initiative, now in the form of House Bill 5065, would allow taxpayers to vote their communities out of a school district. The bill is scheduled to be discussed later this month by the House Education Committee.

Breaking News » MI Capital Notebook: Oakland Schools Review - The review of travel reimbursements at Oakland Schools is continuing to leave intermediate school district officials and Rep. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) butting heads. Ms. Johnson this week postponed a subcommittee hearing on the ISD, scheduled for Monday, because she said the district was withholding documents she had requested.

Disability Info - Conduct Disorder » Topic Completed. Find everything you need to know about Conduct Disorder including general information, educational resources, organizations and more!

IEP Issues - Restraint » Resource Added: The Family Alliance to Stop Abuse and Neglect - a New Jersey organization currently dealing with the issues surrounding restraint.

Breaking News and IDEA Reauthorization » U.S. Commentary: Grabbing the Brass Ring: Directing the Press - We are all being constantly reminded by our favorite advocacy organizations and other parent groups to write to our Senators and Representatives during IDEA reauthorization. It is the direct response that is always in order and essentially the proper first-line thing to do, and parents do it very well. The opportunity lies in your ability to help direct your local and favorite press outlets in their approach to IDEA reauthorization stories.

Breaking News and Parenting » Putting the "Parents" in Parent-Teacher Conferences - According to the National PTA, frequent communication between home and school is the key to academic success. Providing opportunities for parent-teacher conferences, encouraging parent participation in school events, and sending notes or e-mail messages home helps foster good relationships that support children's learning.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Transition » "My Future My Plan" Curriculum Featured on Oprah Winfrey Show Tonight (10-20-03) - We have just been informed that the new My Future My Plan Curriculum developed by the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) and State of the Art, Inc. will be profiled on Oprah this coming Monday October 20th, 2003. It will be included as one segment that is part of a show on the larger issue of discrimination.

Breaking News » U.S. Summary of Status of Federal Legislation from NAACD (10-17-03) - Contains a brief summary of major Federal legislation of interest to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities remaining in this 1st Session of the 108th Congress.

Breaking News » U.S. TASH Looking for Ideas, Strategies, and Suggestions for Supporting Friendships - Community of Caring has asked TASH to partner in building a "tool kit" -- a collection of hints, ideas, resources and strategies that family members, teachers, para-educators, professionals, advocates and others have found to be successful.

 
Breaking News » U.S. HHS Awards Planning Grants to Design "One-Stop Shopping" Centers for People With Developmental Disabilities - On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration and Children and Families announced the award of 31 one-year planning grants of $100,000 each to create a seamless system of services for underserved families of people with developmental disabilities.
 

Breaking News » U.S. Kennedy Center Announces Arts "Mentoring" Grants - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ha announced a request for proposals to implement mentoring programs in the arts for individuals with disabilities. Proposals must be received by Monday, December 15, 2003, may include a request for up to $15,000 in support.
 

Breaking News » U.S. Social Security Announces Benefit Increases for 2004 - The Social Security Administration has announced cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for 2004. Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 51 million Americans will increase 2.1 percent in 2004.

IEP Issues - Transition » Designing Personalized Learning for Every Student: Activity Based Assessment (ABA) Inventory and Other Forms - Today's students are more diverse than ever before—in cultural backgrounds, learning styles and interests, social and economic classes, and abilities and disabilities. How can schools accommodate these differences while also dealing with other demands for change, from the push for tougher standards to the call for more discipline in the classroom? This book offers answers—and challenges schools to reinvent themselves as more flexible, creative learning communities that include and are responsive to a full range of human diversity.
 

10-19-03

Breaking News, IDEA Reauthorization, and No Child Left Behind » No Child Left Behind — Really? Why I Like This Law - "I am an attorney who represents children with disabilities. For more than 25 years, I have watched school after school 'drop the ball' — and not give proper education services to disabled children. The only recourse is for courageous and determined parents to take on school systems and make them follow the law, often leading to costly and painful lawsuits" - Bill Byrne.

Breaking News and College » U.S. Kiplinger 100: Best Values in Public Colleges - Between registering for classes, making new friends, navigating an unfamiliar campus and, oh, yes, studying, new college students have plenty of worries. The prospect of graduating with a crushing debt shouldn't be one of them. View the list of public institutions that give students the most bang for your buck, according to Kiplinger. Plus, expand your search for college values online. [Source]

Breaking News, Cultural Issues, and Assistive Technology » Press Release: WGBH's Media Access Group Launches Spanish Web Site for Individuals with Hearing and Visual Disabilities - Media Access Group also providing Spanish captioning for 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II.

Breaking News and College » U.S. Families Overestimate College Costs, New Study Finds - Citing a new report that shows parents and students generally overestimate college tuition costs by thousands of dollars, U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige today announced a new Web site to give students and families the facts they need to plan and prepare for college.

10-18-03

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Due Process » MA Appeals Court: Parents Can Represent Their Children in Disability Disputes - Parents can sue on behalf of their disabled children -- without hiring a lawyer -- to make sure their child gets an appropriate public education, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.
 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » PA 'No Child Left Behind' Law Bumps Into Hard Reality - Before the school year began, 30 parents in the Chester Upland School District believed that a federal law would allow them to transfer their children out of the troubled, low-achieving district into one with more resources and better test scores. They were in for a letdown.

Inspiration » New Yahoo Group: Joy in Disability - Having a child with a disability - of any age - can at first seem like anything but a "Joyful" experience. You are invited to join a listserv with parents just like you.

Breaking News and General Ed Reform » Stop the Gender Politics and Start Studying - Most Americans take coeducation for granted. Typically, we've been educated in mixed-sex public schools and we have little awareness about single-sex schools. Our political culture reinforces such acceptance. It implies that schools reflecting the variety of society exemplify what is best about democratic societies.

Breaking News » MI Application Packet: Michigan Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) - Link leads to the PDF (size=48k) application packet for the 2004 MYLF. This is an outstanding opportunity for about 30 students with disabilities who have leadership potential to come together to enhance their leadership skills, their self awareness and self determination skills, and to be a member of a learning community of adults with disabilities and other high school students with disabilities. Deadline: 12-31-03.

Breaking News and College » IL Beckwith Hall Brings Security to University of Illinois Students - Beckwith Hall might seem like any other residence hall on campus from the outside — some students type away in the computer lab while others hang out in each other's rooms laughing and talking.

Juvenile Justice » Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan - This organization calls on public officials to adopt a four-part plan to reduce crime and violence, and help young people learn the skills and values they need to become responsible adults. For more information, contact K. P. Pelleran, State Director at kppelleran@fightcrime.org or 517-371-3565.

Advocacy » Resource Added: (KASA) Kids As Self Advocates - KASA is a national, grassroots network of youth with special needs and our friends, speaking on behalf of ourselves. We are leaders in our communities, and we help spread helpful, positive information among our peers to increase knowledge around various issues.

Homework Study Topics » Resources added to our History/Social Studies Section: Veteran's Day Activities from the U.S. Department of Education

Events Calendar » Parents of Blind Children of Michigan Workshop Schedule for Students with Visual Impairments - "Coming of Age" for boys aged 12 and over, October 25, 2003; Cooking Class for Parents and Kids, November 1, 2003; Industrial Arts Class for students 9 years of age and older, December 6, 2003; Cooking Class for Kids, December 13, 2003; and Skiing Begins with Optical Illusions Ski Club, January 4, 2003.  For more information, click here.

Events Calendar » The Michigan Department of Transportation Summit will take place on December 3-4, 2003 in Lansing, MI - Click here for more info.

Vaccines and Disability Info - Autism » Autism: A Study That Discounts a Suspected Cause of the Disorder Gives Way to More Questions Than Answers - In recent years, autism research has been a battleground. A vocal group of parents, advocates and a few scientists focused on vaccines containing traces of mercury as the lead suspects in the disorder. But most autism researchers were suspicious, arguing that the theory didn't fit the evidence.

Professional Development » Teachers Who "Work the Room" - The most basic factor that governs the likelihood of students goofing off in your classroom is their physical distance from your body.  Classroom management guru Fred Jones shares his ideas on ways to arrange your classroom and "work the crowd" to create more time on task and cut down on "goofing off." "Natural teachers instinctively work the crowd," Jones writes. "They use proximity as an instrument of management. They know that either you work the crowd, or the crowd works you." [Source: PEN]
 

Disability Info - ADD/ADHD » Free Booklet: Identifying & Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - This booklet for parents & educators tells how ADHD is identified & treated. It includes legal requirements, treatment options, & ways to improve life at school & at home for children diagnosed with ADHD. Download in MS Word (878K) or in PDF (420K).
 

Disability Info » UK Motor Skills Masterclass - Your son is bright, inquisitive, articulate. But, as his school career progresses, his teachers begin to notice that he struggles in certain things.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Assistive Technology » Why Computers Have Not Saved the Classroom - What impact has computer technology had on public education in the US? That's the question journalist Todd Oppenheimer sets out to answer. His conclusion: Putting computers in classrooms has been almost entirely wasteful, and the rush to keep schools up-to-date with the latest technology has been largely pointless.
 

10-17-03

Breaking News and School Climate » Disability Bias - A recent outing to a pizza buffet restaurant created an opportunity for Tolerance.org's parenting columnist to discuss the stigma and bias surrounding disabilities with her son.

Breaking News » U.S. Summary of Status of Federal Legislation from NAACD - Contains a brief summary of major Federal legislation of interest to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities remaining in this 1st Session of the 108th Congress.

Community Living » Study Confirms Many Benefits of Community Living for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities - A study of 254 persons with developmental disabilities moved out of a state institution in Oklahoma into supported living settings confirms the belief that community living greatly enhances the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Findings from the study were published in the August 2003 issue of Mental Retardation.

Breaking News and Children At-Risk » PA Tool to Keep Kids in School - Other Kids' Parents - Joanne Esquilin hardly fits the image of the no-nonsense truant officer. But when she works the tough neighborhoods of North Philadelphia, there's no doubt of her intent: to get every child she can back in the classroom, whatever it takes. For Ms. Esquilin, an unflappable mother of three who once skipped school a few times herself, that means being part cheerleader, part cop, and part social worker. It also means working long nights and occasionally getting yelled at. Or worse.

Breaking News and Parenting » Featured Website: The Father's Network - "Good fathering flows from the realization that being a father is important, vital, demanding, rewarding, and risky. Telling your story of what it is like to be your father’s son and your child’s father to another father and another, and listening to their stories in return is ultimately the only school for fathering."

Breaking News » MI Public Comments Push Change in Home Care Cuts - There will likely be cuts in the Medicaid home care program, but they will not likely be the straight 10 percent cuts the administration originally proposed, Community Health officials and advocates said.

Breaking News » MI Michigan Support Person of the Year Award Program - The State Board of Education is pleased to invite you to participate in the Michigan Support Person of the Year Award Program (SSPOY). Outstanding support persons make a difference in Michigan schools every day. Please join us in bringing recognition to these individuals.

Ask the Attorney » Question: My child was a special education student in one district and we moved to another district. The new district where we live refuses to give us the same services that the old district gave us. What can I do?  Answer:  Click here to see John's Answer.

Breaking News » MI Gongwer: Panel Reports Teen Passenger Limitation Bill - Teenagers would be able to cart family members around town on their new driver's licenses, but not friends, under a bill reported from the House Transportation Committee. The bill (HB 4600) allows first-year drivers, those with a level-2 license, to transport only one non-related passenger. The committee amended the bill to allow teens to transport any family members. As introduced, the bill allowed only immediate family members.

Breaking News and Child Care » MI Child Care Expulsion Prevention Program - A program to assist child care centers, called the Child Care Expulsion Prevention (CCEP) Initiative, is available to provide support. CCEP provides trained early childhood mental health professionals to team with child care providers and parents who care for children age 0-5 who are experiencing or are at risk of behavioral and emotional difficulties.

Upcoming Events » MI New Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs - Every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. we will meet for spiritual and emotional support and friendship. Any parent with a special needs child is welcome. Special Needs Awesome Kids parent support group will be meeting at Grace Fellowship Church, 735 Buth Drive NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321. If you have questions, please email snakpackmomma@aol.com.

IEP Issues - Other Resources » IEP Resources: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IEP_guide/links

Medicaid » Medicaid Reform Information - Medicaid is the most valuable public resource for children and adults with disabilities to access health and long-term supports and services in the community.  With so many federal policy decisions being made related to Medicaid, AUCD has created this site to help network members and the public navigate all the information about new proposals to reform Medicaid and information about legislation and public policy changes related to Olmstead.
 

Inclusion » Institute on Community Integration - "At the Institute, we believe that all persons with developmental and other disabilities should live as valued members of local communities. We seek to make this possible through improving the services and social supports available to individuals with disabilities and their families."
 

General Ed Reform and School Climate » Effects of Developmental Assets on Academic Success - Data collected from several communities revealed that middle and high school students who experienced more positive relationships, opportunities and personal strengths-or "developmental assets"-were more likely to have high GPAs, regardless of their family income, family composition or race-ethnicity. This relationship is supported by both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. To view the summary or complete report at no charge, go to http://www.search-institute.org/research/insights.

10-16-03

Breaking News » MI Smaller Class Sizes Help Youngsters - Educators at White Pine Academy in Leslie say they're seeing true benefits from a 2001 decision to shrink kindergarten classes from 18 students to 12.

Breaking News » States Use Licenses to Steer Teens to School - In Arkansas, you've got to have a C average -- certified by your school -- to get your driver's license. In North Carolina, you have to be passing at least five classes.

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » IL Top Suburban Schools Listed Among Low Scorers on State Test - When state test results are released next month, some top high schools, such as Evanston Township, will find themselves in a potentially awkward position: on a list alongside some of the state's lowest-performing schools.

Breaking News » Education Group Calls for Revised Law - With thousands of schools branded as "needing improvement," a new group of educators and civic leaders is calling on Congress to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act.

Breaking News » MI Making The Case For Mental Health Coverage Parity - The Senate Health Policy Committee began moving bills today designed to streamline the government-paid mental health services given in Michigan, but some of the most serious improvements will need to be made at the federal level, the committee chair said.

Breaking News and IEP Issues - Inclusion »  VA Fairfax County Considers Closing Centers For Special Ed - In Fairfax County, Virginia, there are 20 special-education centers for middle school students who have been classified as emotionally disturbed, learning disabled or both. Segregating these students from the mainstream represents one side of a national debate over special education. On the other side is a growing effort to integrate them into regular classrooms, a practice known as "inclusion."

Breaking News and Disability Info - Autism » Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Behavioral Interventions for Autism - Interventions may be effective for some children with autism and mental retardation.

Bridges4Kids NewsDigest » New edition of our NewsDigest published October 16, 2003 - click here.

Events Calendar » The Wayne State University School of Medicine Presents: Facts About Mental Illness - This presentation is free and will take place in Detroit on October 25, 2003 - Click here for more info.

Events Calendar » Creating Inclusive Communities: 4^th Annual Conference on Inclusive Education will take place on November 21, 2003 in Grand Rapids, MI - Click here for more info.

Breaking News » School Characteristics Related to the Use of Suspension (PDF) - Contains research on environmental differences between schools with high and low suspension rates.
 

Breaking News » New Federal Battle Over Disciplining Students - When Nancy Davenport, a retired teacher in Dallas, thinks about discipline and special education, she thinks of the times her mentally retarded son got involved in some "pushing and shoving."

Cancellation Notice: The Oakland County Public Meeting on Intermediate School District Review has been cancelled. This meeting was to take place in Oakland County on October 20, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. at the Commissioners Auditorium 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, 48341.  For more details or for rescheduling information call 517-373-2002.  Thanks for the update Laurie O.

General Ed Reform - Nutrition » CA Editorial: One School's Victory Over the Battle of the Bulge - Students at Aptos Middle School in San Francisco are not exactly celebrating that their school has been purged of unhealthy foods.
 
General Ed Reform - Nutrition » CA Editorial: Fast Food is King at Arroyo High - If You're a student at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, and you must have a Whopper, french fries and a Coke for lunch, you won't have to go far to satisfy your fast-food cravings.
 

Lead Poisoning » MI The Michigan Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's 2002 Annual Report on Blood Lead Levels in Children has been published on the MSU website. Click on Annual Reports, then click on "2002" under "Blood Lead Levels".  The document is in PDF format, is 79 pages in length and includes data on both children and adults. The section on children begins on page 47.

10-15-03

Breaking News » OH Parents Can Track Students on Web - St. Joseph in Falls uses Edline to let mom and dad peek at grade book.  When St. Joseph School signed on to the Edline at the start of the school year, the move brought groans from some students but cheers from their parents.

Breaking News » NCLB versus IDEA: Maryland Faults U.S. Law For Poor Scores - Assisted Students' Tests Invalidated; Thirty Maryland elementary schools -- most from the Washington area -- failed to meet standards required by the No Child Left Behind law because they assisted thousands of children who have disabilities or limited English skills on a key standardized test, state and local officials said yesterday.

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » LA New Orleans Students Snub Free Tutoring - Fewer than 500 of 7,500 eligible New Orleans public school students have signed up for free, one-on-one tutoring that chronically poor-performing schools now are required to offer.

Breaking News » MI High Court Hears Durant IV Arguments - In the case of Daniel Adair, et al., vs. State of Michigan, et al, the Michigan Supreme Court today heard plaintiffs attorneys argue that: school districts which were parties in the Durant v. State of Michigan in 1997 [Durant I] should be allowed to bring a new school funding lawsuit; that school districts not involved in the original lawsuit but signed resolutions barring further litigation should not be barred from filing later lawsuits; and additional record keeping and transmittal requirements mandated by the Legislature after Durant I should be funded by the state.

 
Breaking News » MI Putting Drunk Kids Behind Bars - The Senate Judiciary Committee took testimony today on a bill that would give judges the option of giving under-age drinkers 30 to 90 days of jail time on second or third minor in possession offenses.

 
Breaking News » MI Consensus: State Has $897.7 Million Deficit - After weeks of speculation, Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM and state lawmakers now have a figure to go with — $897.7 million. Three months ago, Granholm and legislative leaders held up their hands in victory. They had balanced a Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 budget that was $1.8 billion in the red.

10-14-03

Breaking News » MI Iron Horse Hoe Down A Success For Rett Syndrome - On behalf of everyone at Michigan Rett Syndrome Access (Mi-RSA) and the International Rett Syndrome Association (IRSA) we would like to acknowledge all the people, organizations and businesses with hearts of gold that put their sweat and soul into our first major event. Although Michigan has one of the highest registered populations of children with Rett Syndrome in the US, a few months ago, the key special needs stakeholders here knew virtually nothing about the disorder that is the #1 cause of profound disabilities.

Breaking News and IDEA Reauthorization » Please Don't Leave 6.5 Million Children Behind: An Open Letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige - In December of 2001, I had the fine opportunity to celebrate the introduction of the No Child Left Behind Act with you and an auditorium full of education leaders from across this great land. I vividly recall your compassionate style and sincere words as you placed your hands gently on my shoulder and whispered, "This is for your son."

Breaking News and IDEA Reauthorization » Commentary: The Truth of the Matter - Our Children Left Behind has been up and serving American families and organizations with information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] reauthorization process since May. We have tried over these past five months to give straight and accurate information on the process, and to inspire families and organizations to contact Congress directly with their stories about IDEA and their concerns about the proposed changes.
 

Breaking News and No Child Left Behind » U.S. Upcoming Appearances by U.S. Dept. of Ed. Officials on No Child Left Behind - Senior U.S. Dept. of Education officials will travel the country in the coming week, educating parents, teachers and education professionals on the details of President Bush's historic education reform, the No Child Left Behind Act. Includes key No Child Left Behind engagements for this week (Oct. 11-17, 2003).

Breaking News » MI Supreme Court to Hear 'Durant IV' - The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday afternoon in the case commonly known in the legal community as "Durant IV," a lawsuit filed by 464 school districts that claim the state did not give them full-funding for mandated state programs and services as required under the Headlee Amendment.

Breaking News » U.S. With Coleman's Help, Republicans Promote School Voucher Plan - A year after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of public school vouchers, Congress is trying to approve the first federal program of its kind -- with help from Sen. Norm Coleman. After opposing vouchers in his Senate campaign last year, the Minnesota Republican is backing the plan, which would give $7,500 to low-income students in Washington, D.C., to pay for tuition at private and parochial schools. President Bush and Washington Mayor Anthony Williams are among the key promoters of the plan, which would cost $13 million. [source]

Home Schooling » Experiencia: Program Connects Classroom and Home Instruction Through Immersive Learning for 3^rd - 6^th Graders - What is Experiencia? Experiencia is pioneering a proprietary learning system, Immersive Learning™, that enhances and connects classroom and home instruction with vivid learning experiences at interactive simulation sites. Experiencia programs transform teaching and learning by brining theory and best practices to life.

Legal Research » The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Depth - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most comprehensive federal civil-rights statute protecting the rights of people with disabilities. It affects access to employment; state and local government programs and services; access to places of public accommodation such as businesses, transportation, and non-profit service providers; and telecommunications (from the Center for an Accessible Society).

Community Living » Resource Added: The Center for An Accessible Society is a national organization designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues by disseminating information developed through research to promote independent living.

Community Living » Resource Added: Community Works - Independent facilitators and teachers in person-centered planning, self-determination and community living.  Working towards communities in which each individual is cherished.

IEP Issues - Person Centered Planning » Resource Added: Easter Seals of Michigan: What is Person Centered Planning? - Person Centered Planning was put forth as a concept as a result of the Michigan Mental Health Code, Act No. 290, Public Acts of 1995. Person Centered Planning means that a client's opinions, preferences and values will direct treatment services. Our professional staff will assist you in this process as well as advise you of the supports and services that can assist your family.

10-13-03

Breaking News » MI Great Start: Invitation to Join in Strategic Action and Planning Activities - The Great Start Strategic Action and Planning project is eager to gain your input and involvement in the planning activities for early childhood services and supports for all Michigan children and their families. The project is committed to including as many Michigan citizens as possible in building consensus about what all young children and their families need and how we might best meet those needs. We hope you will consider our invitation to join in these exciting efforts on behalf of young children and their families and make sure that all young children have a great start!

Breaking News » MI Michigan Child Care Task Force Minutes (10-1-03)

Disability Info - Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) » Topic Completed. Find everything you need to know about CdLs including general information, educational resources, organizations and more!

Disability Info - Hearing Impaired » Resource: Hands & Voices: Non-biased Support for Families of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - For more information or to become a part of this dynamic and necessary organization, contact Amy Lester, Parent Consultant for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program at lestera@michigan.gov or 517-335-8273. You may also contact Michigan Association for Deaf Hearing and Speech services (MADHS) at 1-800-YOUR-EAR.

Upcoming Events » MI Mentor Michigan Summits - Mentor Michigan, led by Governor Granholm and First Gentleman, Dan Mulhern, is working to ensure that all youth have ongoing relationships with stable, caring adults. Mentor Michigan develops, strengthens, and sustains mentoring throughout the state.  The Mentor Summits are an opportunity to help shape the vision for Mentor Michigan, to learn about mentoring, and to discuss how Mentor Michigan can best support local mentoring efforts. There is no cost to attend the Mentor Michigan Summits. Space is limited and registrations are required.  Dates & Locations - Dearborn: October 25, 2003; Marquette: October 30, 2003; Saginaw: November 6, 2003; Gaylord: November 12, 2003; Kalamazoo: November 17, 2003; Detroit: December 11, 2003.  Click here for more information.

Events Calendar » Plan Ahead! "Understanding and Managing Children with Nonverbal Learning Disorders" will take place in Kitchener, Ontario on April 2, 2004.  Click here for more information.

10-12-03

Cultural Issues and IEP Issues - Bilingual Issues » The Diversity Kit: An Introductory Resource for Social Change in Education - This new publication from The Education Alliance at Brown University brings together current research on human development and cultural diversity. It explores issues of diversity in education that are essential for schools and teachers who are committed to quality education for all students.  Click here to learn more (and for free downloads).

Cultural Issues and IEP Issues - Bilingual Issues » Developing IEPs for English Language Learners (PDF) by Rita Brusca-Vega, Ed.D., Professor of Special Education, Chicago State University - The purpose of this chapter is to present several sample IEPs, based on the best practices described in the resource book, for students of different ages, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, English language proficiency levels, and type of disability.

IEP Issues - Bilingual Issues » Resources for Mainstream Teachers of English Language Learners - click here. (Websites, ERIC Digests, Books)  The placement of English language learners in mainstream classes has become more and more common in recent years. Many of these students have not developed the necessary English language proficiency to keep up with their classmates. What can mainstream teachers do to help English language learners in their classes excel?

10-11-03

Breaking News and Inclusion » MI Everyone Together: Local Group Promoting Inclusion - Students with disabilities can learn from getting experience in a traditional classroom setting, a speaker says.  An expert in educating children with disabilities told a crowd of teachers, parents and therapists Wednesday that just because a child has different academic needs doesn't mean he needs to be sheltered from other students.

10-09-03

Section 504 and Legal Research » Discipline Under Section 504 and the ADA (PDF; 21 pages) by Perry A. Zirkel, Ph.D., J.D., LL.M
 

Disability Info - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) » Download the booklet "Kids and OCD" by Constance H. Foster, Ph.D. (PDF, 17 pages, 336k)  Includes resources and more.  Excerpt: "When I was a little girl, it seemed like I was afraid of everything! Now, I know that’s not so strange because lots of kids are afraid of things like spiders, snakes, and the dark. As a matter of fact, those are fears that many kids have. But I was different because I was afraid of many other things, too.  And do you know what? Most of the things that frightened me you couldn’t even see! I was worried about so many things that I used to spend hours trying to find ways to make myself feel better. Not only was this hard to do, but it was also tricky to not let other people know or see what I was doing. After all, I didn’t want my friends to think that I was different from them."

IDEA Reauthorization and IEP Issues - Due Process » Access and Equity in the Due Process System - Attorney Representation and Hearing Outcomes in Illinois, 1997-2002; by Melanie Archer, Ph.D., Dec. 2002

Children At-Risk » The Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk (CRESPAR): "Every Child has the Capacity to Succeed in School and in Life."

Disability Info - Autism » The Oakland Press Series on Autism: Agency helps adults with disability live on their own - Troy resident Aaron Freed panicked when he discovered a notice in his apartment on a recent Friday.  Autism doesn't keep family down - West Bloomfield Township resident Sue Hodess, who has two autistic sons, has done well to maintain an ironic sense of humor. "I used to laugh because I'd think: 'There's not a lot of pressure here. I just can't die,'" the 41-year-old mother said.  Parents rise to autism challenge - Visit the Autism Society of America's Web site at www.autism-society.org or the Autism Society of Michigan's website at http://www.autism-mi.org. To learn more about Oakland County resources and services for people with autism, visit the ASA Oakland County Chapter's Web site at www.asaoakland.org.
 

Assistive Technology and Disability Info - Hearing Impairment, Deafness or Hearing Loss » Closed Captioning (CC) FAQ - What are closed captions? How does captioning work? Who watches closed captions? Who pays for captioning?  This informative FAQ contains answers to these questions and more.

Lead Poisoning » MI EPA Press Release on Smelter Cleanup & Lead on Detroit's East Side (June 2003)

IEP Issues - Therapy » Brushing: Wilbarger Protocol - click here.  Comments from a parent who experienced this form of therapy with her child: "I did it with one of my sons. We did it every 90 minutes for 2 weeks then were to back off to 3 times a day after that. Initially it helped him sleep through the night but the effects seemed to wear off. We do an oral program now and it does help with tooth brushing."  Note: Intervention always must be directed by a professional who has received training in the Wilbarger protocol.

10-07-03

Special Note: Any email sent to an @bridges4kids.org account between 11:15 p.m. October 6th and 4:00 p.m. October 7th was not received.  All messages sent to us during that time are irretrievable.  Please resend any important email that was sent during that period.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

10-06-03

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) » Section revamped and expanded; resources added.

State & Federal Legislation » Page revamped; resources added.

IDEA Reauthorization » Page revamped; resources added.

Advocacy » Meet with Your Congressional Representatives During Their October Recess - How to Advocate with Your Congressional Representatives Without Traveling to Washington: You can and should look for opportunities to let your Members of Congress know that you and other families living with special needs or issues are their constituents and would like them to be responsive to your needs.  Members of Congress will be in the district for a few days leading up to the Columbus Day holiday, and this is a great time for them to hear from you!

10-01-03

Breaking News and Nutrition » IRELAND Girls Need Big Breakfast? - Girls need a more filling breakfast than boys if they are to do their best in school tests, according to researchers in Northern Ireland.

Events Calendar » Teens Using Drugs Part One: What To Know - Dates for this free workshop in Ypsilanti, Michigan: October 7, 2003; November 4, 2003; December 2, 2003; January 6, 2004; February 3, 2004; March 2, 2004; April 6, 2004; May 4, 2004; and June 1, 2004.  Click here for more details.