Bridges4Kids News Digest

"I happened upon your website and just wanted to tell you what a great job you are doing with it! I am not from Michigan but I can tell that Michigan cares about it's special needs kids just from the resources listed! Thanks for making information available on the internet in such a good way for the parents in your state and others who happen upon it!" K. McBride, Hancock, MD

Read the bridges4kids News Digest online! http://www.bridges4kids.org/newsdigest/index.html

National News	*top*
Stop Discipline Problems that Stem from Fear of Academic Failure Council for Exceptional Children, TEACHING Exceptional Children, VOL. 37 NO.1, Sept/Oct 2004 http://journals.sped.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=tec_toc Positive behavioral support can do more than prevent discipline problems. It can also help minimize students' resistance to academic instruction. Plus, it can be used without disrupting classroom routines. Read about this and other effective discipline and social skill techniques in the Sept./Oct. issue of TEC. CA Acceptance Reigns Along With a King Cara Mia DiMassa and Zeke Minaya, Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/LATimes10-24-04.html#top David Mason crossed his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the announcement that confirmed his dream: This Culver City High School senior, an autistic youth enrolled in the campus' special education program, was named homecoming king after a landslide vote. CANADA Dropouts Face Bleak Job Future Theresa Boyle, The Toronto Star, October 25, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/TorontoStar10-25-04.html#top Christopher Hayes reaches into the back pocket of his blue jeans and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. It's his pay stub from the previous two weeks' work. His net take-home pay after working 84 hours is $547.98. That's a meager $7.75 an hour, the dejected 20-year old points out. For Hayes, who has only a Grade 10 education, the prospects of finding a well-paying job are slim. "Get Tough" Youth Programs are Ineffective, Panel Says Laura Meckler, Associated Press, October 16, 2004 http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/10/16/get_tough_programs_for_youths_criticized/ Boot camps and other get-tough programs for adolescents do not prevent criminal behavior, as intended, and may make the problem even worse, a new study has found. Further, laws transferring juveniles into the adult court system lead these teenagers to commit more violence, the study said. More promising, reports Laura Meckler, are programs that offer intensive counseling for families and young people at risk. Writing Wrongs Jondi Gumz, Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 17, 2004 http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/August/17/local/stories/01local.htm Problem starts at home and in class. Every week, the average American child plunks down in front of the television for about 20 hours. That same child spends only three hours a week writing. Commentary: States Must Fix School Drug Rules Philip Terzian, Providence Journal, October 24, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/ProvJournal10-24-04.html#top There is good news on the zero tolerance front. Back in the late 1980s, when public hysteria about day-care abuse and satanic cults was beginning to subside, its successor doctrine captured the imagination of school administrators. This was the notion that a "drug-free school zone" did not just mean the absence of marijuana and heroin, but any pharmaceutical product. Schools Lay Tender Trap for Truants G. Jeffrey MacDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, October 19, 2004 http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1019/p11s02-legn.htm The goal of boosting school attendance, by finding truants and getting them back in class, seems as virtuous as mom and apple pie. But even as many school districts take a more aggressive stance against truancy, a debate has ensued over whether new state and federal policies will eventually sully their efforts to address the problem. In dispute: policies that give monetary rewards to districts which manage to improve attendance rates. Evaluating School Climate and School Culture (PDF) Andrew T. Roach and Thomas R. Kratochwill, TEACHING Exceptional Children, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 10-17 http://journals.sped.org/TEC/Articles/Roach37-1.pdf When do trends in student behaviors demand school-wide policies and plans? What tools are best suited to assessing how students and teachers view their school's climate or context for learning? Waging Peace In Our Schools http://www.thepeacecompany.com/store/cat_parentsteachers.php Based On the Work of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program. From the largest and most successful school initiatives in social and emotional learning in the country–the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program, now active in more that 350 schools nationwide–comes a powerful, practical guide for teaching young people to empathize, mediate, negotiate, and create peace. The authors address everything from minor schoolyard conflicts to violent outbursts, and offer educators and parents proven strategies for enhancing children’s emotional, social, and conflict resolution skills. [$16.00 from The Peace Company] Everyone Wins http://www.thepeacecompany.com/store/cat_parentsteachers.php Everyone Wins! Is packed with over 150 cooperative games and activities selected to help children in your care: Resolve conflict, enhance communication, build self-esteem, appreciate nature, laugh with each other, be creative, and have fun together! These cooperative games and activities have been used successfully in playgrounds, public and private schools, families, differently-abled groups, camps, church groups, home schooling, community gatherings, multicultural settings, counseling and nature walks. [$8.95 from The Peace Company] bridges4kids Featured Website: Under Grad Zone http://www.undergradzone.com Undergradzone.com is a free service of Tech Publishing, Inc. The website was created to provide free information for students considering college. The site contains information regarding college interviews, financing, and articles on college life. It also helps students develop skills for critical school interviews and has strategies on how to advance a career. A High School Class Project Evolves Into an Outpouring of Love Lisa Coffey, The Ledger, October 16, 2004 http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041016/NEWS/410160314/1039 Marketing students at Lake Region High School are finding out how far a rubber band can be stretched. It can be stretched around a wrist. It can be stretched around a heart. School Violence Toleration Walter E. Williams, TownHall.com, October 13, 2004 http://www.townhall.com/columnists/walterwilliams/ww20041013.shtml Then there's Carmen Santana's grandson, Abraham. After two boys hit him in the face, broke his nose and chipped his teeth, Abraham was afraid to go to school. Guess what. His grandmother was charged with allowing truancy when she kept him home while she tried to get permission for him to finish his senior-year studies at home. AZ Scottsdale Heroin Case Hits Schools Holly Johnson, The Arizona Republic, October 15, 2004 http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1015heroin15.html An August heroin bust involving a handful of Scottsdale students has broadened to 150 teenagers, some of who bought drugs on campus. MN Minnesota Governor Unveils School Improvement Plan Norman Draper, Star Tribune, October 14, 2004 http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5031341.html Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a sweeping education agenda for Minnesota on Wednesday before hundreds of educators, business leaders and politicians. That agenda includes higher pay for teachers who work in tough schools. The plan also gives more power to schools so they can pick their own teachers and set their own budgets. Pawlenty was joined at his talk by Louis V. Gerstner Jr., chairman of the Teaching Commission, a nationwide policy consortium of business leaders, educators and political figures dedicated to, among other things, changing the way teachers are paid and improving teacher training. Gerstner said Minnesota will be the first of four to six states the commission wants to work with to implement its agenda for education change. Interesting Innovation: iAbida http://www.iabida.com iAbida is a company specializing in individual communication management, was founded in 2004 by a team of software veterans and the parents of an autistic son. They have developed a web-based service that lets parents, caregivers, teachers, and medical/service professionals, communicate with each other regarding a child’s care and needs. The service costs $9.95 per month. For a demonstration of how it works, visit http://www.iabida.com/ourdemo.aspx. Study: Aggressive Discipline Can Backfire TheAge.com, October 22, 2004 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/22/1098316849857.html?oneclick=true An Australian study of 4,000 students and 600 teachers found that the best-behaved classes had teachers who used positive rewards and inclusive decision-making, rather than yelling and punishment. Researchers warn that difficult students often discern that teachers don't like them, which only leads them to misbehave more. [Free registration/login required to view this story.] Rural Schools Turn to E-learning Alex Kingsbury, U.S. News & World Report, October 18, 2004 http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/articles/04rural.htm Across the country, E-learning has changed from a technological curiosity to an integral part of rural public school education, offering more class options to students and even educating teachers. Forty-three percent of the nation's public schools-and nearly one third of the country's 48 million public school students-are in rural communities. Now, with the spread of advanced technology that aims to close the "digital divide" and make public education more equitable, groups of isolated schools in more than a dozen states--including Minnesota, North Carolina, and Oklahoma--can share qualified teachers in subjects like physics, advanced math, and foreign languages. National Governors Association To Host Education Summit to Improve High Schools MIRS, October 21, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/MIRS10-21-04.html#top The 2005 summit (held Feb. 26-27 in Washington) will address the urgent need to improve America's high schools, specifically the imperative to increase graduation rates and ensure that a high school diploma truly prepares students to succeed in higher education and the workplace. CEC’s Summary of Selected IDEA Reauthorization Issues (PDF) Council for Exceptional Children, April 2004 http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/IDEAReAuthorizationIssues.pdf Read the Top 10 Recommendations for IDEA Reauthorization from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), a private, non-profit membership organization for teachers and other professionals who work with special education students. Contains a good summary of various provisions. Outlines the differences between House and Senate versions. Congress is expected to take up, and likely decide, the issues involved in the reauthorization of IDEA in November. OCLB Special Education Primer: Discipline - The Data Our Children Left Behind, October 22, 2004 http://p078.ezboard.com/fourchildrenleftbehindfrm17.showMessage?topicID=375.topic Why amend IDEA ’97 disciplinary provisions now? The data that does exist suggests that students who have disabilities are treated similarly to general education students. The data also suggests that IDEA 97’ has not become an obstacle or barrier to schools’ disciplinary practices. Pioneering Charter School Remains Model for Success Nicole C. Wong, Mercury News, October 17, 2004 http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/education/9942352.htm?1c Ten years ago, a group of San Carlos parents and community members took advantage of a new opportunity in public education: They ripped apart California's 7,800-page education rule book and designed a school as they saw fit. 'Hamlet' Too Hard? Try a Comic Book Teresa Méndez, The Christian Science Monitor, October 12, 2004 http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1012/p11s01-legn.html?s=hns At a high school in New York state, Diane Roy teaches the students who failed ninth-grade English the first time around. Last year, on the heels of "Hamlet," she presented her class with a graphic novel--essentially a variety of comic book. Such books are turning up on classroom bookshelves--especially in classes where teachers are desperate to engage struggling and reluctant adolescent readers. TN Tennessee Considers Uniform Grading Policy Associated Press & TriCities.com, October 18, 2004 http://www.wjhl.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/MGArticle/TRI_ BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031778595810&path=Variables.path The state is considering a switch to uniform grading policies in all state high schools. The move that would force about 75 percent of schools to change their definition of an A or B.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)	*top*
New Parent Guide: No Child Left Behind The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Schwab Learning, October 2004 The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Schwab Learning have developed a handbook to help parents navigate and coordinate the federal No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education acts. No Child Left Behind requires schools to have a plan to help low-achieving children, including the almost 3 million children with learning disabilities, meet higher academic standards. The new 22-page guide addresses the law's emphasis on accountability, an explanation of the requirement of schools to improve test scores in math, science and reading over the next decade, and what happens if a school doesn't meet its goals. "Making the No Child Left Behind Act Work For Children Who Struggle to Learn: A Parent's Guide" is available free of charge at www.LD.org/NCLB and www.SchwabLearning.org/NCLB.
Parenting/Parental Involvement	*top*
Halloween Costumes For Children That Use Wheelchairs The Bridge School, October 2004 http://www.bridgeschool.org/about/about_halloween.html They are Soooooo Cute!! With instructions. Ghosts, goblins, and beautiful princesses can be found rolling through the classrooms and across the playground each year on October 31st. Kids in wheelchairs have the chance to not only "dress up" in costumes but to create an entire traveling "scene" for Halloween. We hope that with these "tips" and ideas, your little ghost or goblin can roll along the sidewalks of your neighborhood turning heads and sharing Halloween fun with friends and family. Dads Take a Role in Their Kids' Schools Sam Tricomo, The Birmingham Eccentric, October 28, 2004 http://hometownlife.com/Birmingham/News.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=60018&Sec Armed with a telephone, Jay Kaliski managed to start a small revolution at Birmingham's Covington 3-8 School five years ago. "Ways for parents to support the school were already there. I could tell dads wanted to participate, but didn't know how," he said. So with a list of parents' names and phone numbers, Kaliski called all 450 households to invite fathers to help create a support and fund-raising group composed solely of men. Free Resources from The Parent Institute 10 Things Any School Can Do to Build Parent Involvement... Plus Five Great Ways to Fail! http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/10things/10things.php Sixty-Eight Parent Involvement Ideas That Really Work http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/68ideas/68ideas.php Seventy-Five Ideas to Build Parent Involvement and Support http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/75ideas/75-ideas.php Selected Parent Involvement Research http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/research/research.php Ten Questions About Parent Involvement http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/10questions/10qstns.php Forty-Four Proven Ideas Parents Can Use to Help Their Children Do Better in School http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/ideas/44ideas.php What Principals Would Tell Parents to Help Parents Help Their Children http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/principal/principal.php Tips Parents Can Use to Help Their Children http://www.parent-institute.com/educator/resources/tips/tips.php Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids The Peace Company http://www.thepeacecompany.com/store/cat_parentsteachers.php Practical Ways to Create a Calm and Happy Home. What can you do to help your children cope with stress? How can you give them the skills for talking over problems, instead of fighting about them? Where can you find time to help your kids be less volatile, more cooperative, and happier? In Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids, Naomi Drew brings the same revolutionary action plan she developed for the classroom to parents everywhere. Illustrated by concrete situations, hands-on examples, and testimonials from real-life parents. [$14.00 from The Peace Company] Program Profile: Woodley Hills Elementary School Makes the Most of All Resources October 2004 issue of Educators' Notebook on Family Involvement^® newsletter http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/PI10-04.html#top Parents and community members are an important part of the mix at Woodley Hills Elementary School. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Woodley Hills is a culturally diverse school where more than 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Weekly Time Focusing on Family Brings Hard-to-Reach Parents to School http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/PI10-04.html#2 October 2004 issue of Educators' Notebook on Family Involvement^® newsletter Today’s busy lifestyles can make getting even some of the most highly educated parents involved with their children’s education a challenge. The problems are compounded when parents lack formal education and confidence that they have the knowledge and skills to help their child.
Early On/Early Intervention	*top*
Study: Young Children Are Good Investments MIRS, October 21, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/MRS10-21-04.htm According to a report released this week, smart investments in young children will produce increases in economic productivity and growth, and reduce the burden on taxpayers of the costs of remedial education, welfare, crime and poverty. The report was released by the Michigan League for Human Services and Michigan's Children. *bridges4kids/Early On* Review: Literacy Play** Jackie Igafo-Te'o, Bridges4Kids, October 28, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/GryphonHouse10-28-04.htm What a great way to promote early literacy! Teaching pre-reading skills in a child's natural environment is a wonderful way to reinforce learning. This book contains over 300 activities to choose from - each relating to real-life scenarios - which are organized into 8 sections: Occupations, Home, Nature, Science, Stories, Transportation, Performers, and Reading, Writing, & Talking. NJ Preschool Program's Cost Lands in Court Robert Schwaneberg, The Star-Ledger, October 25, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/StarLedger10-25-04.htm One sweeping requirement in the state Supreme Court's effort to get New Jersey to help its poorest kids was the order establishing preschool programs in 30 needy school districts. Supporters say it has helped kids in poor areas increase their chances of succeeding in school and in life. Early On Subcommittee Meeting Minutes: Minutes added *System Operations Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Eligibility Determination Process* Eligibility Determination Ad Hoc Minutes (PDF; September 15, 2004) http://www.bridges4kids.org/minutes/EO-EligDet9-15-04.pdf
Michigan News	*top*
Fund Cuts Imperil Youths Marisa Schultz, The Detroit News October 19, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/wayne/0410/19/b03-307666.htm Through treatment and counseling at a Growth Works program Chris Allen has been sober for more than year and enrolled at Schoolcraft College, with dreams of becoming a drug counselor. Now he's worried others may not have that same opportunity. As part of a 15 percent cut in the juvenile justice system budget, Growth Works today faces funding losses from Wayne County that have leaders scrambling to figure out how they will offer high-level service to adjudicated youth from 17 western Wayne communities with limited resources. Parents Use Courts to Battle Bullies Marisa Schultz, The Detroit News October 25, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/schools/0410/25/a01-314243.htm The bullying escalated so much that Christine DeLorme wouldn't let her 10-year-old son walk to a friend's house without a walkie-talkie in hand -- her voice echoing through the speaker, "Are you there yet?" Spring High School MEAP Test Dates Set for Academic Year 2004-2005 Dr. Jeremy Hughes, Michigan Department of Education, October 21, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/MDE10-21-04.html#top MEAP has identified the testing dates for this year that are consistent with the new state law and NCLB. Spring high school testing dates for the current academic year are broken into three cycles in order to give schools more flexibility for test administration. Bright Students Leap From Middle School to Classes at WMU Detroit Free Press, October 20, 2004 http://www.freep.com/news/education/youth20e_20041020.htm Eamonn Shirey is a busy eighth-grader. He plays hockey, runs cross country, goes to school and does homework -- about 16 hours' worth every week. He's a typical 13-year-old, but not a typical student. He wears braces, loves video games and jokes around with friends. Job Opportunity: Program Assistant - Michigan Head Start-State Collaboration Program Full-time in Lansing, housed at the Michigan Head Start Association. Responsibilities include: Conducting research and analysis, Preparation of reports, publications and other materials; Meeting planning; General office and administrative support. BA degree required. Knowledge of Head Start and other early childhood programs preferred. Ability to travel. Starting salary: $32-$34K with benefits EOE. Submit resume & references by October 30, 2004 to: MHSA, 115 W. Allegan, Suite 520, Lansing, MI 48933
Disability News	*top*
Parents Work to Acclimate Autistic Children to Normal Routines Jane Gross, New York Times, October 22, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/NYTimes10-22-04.html#top It is a relentless, labor-intensive and harrowing task, overwhelmingly performed by mothers, that tests the strength of marriages, the resilience of siblings and the endurance of the women themselves. X-tra Special Advice: Cooking for a Cause http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/Fraxa10-04.html#top Shortly after Andrew’s diagnosis, our free time began shifting focus. Slowly, it was spent less on leisure and more in the “special needs” world, such as writing this column. National Fragile X Research Day was celebrated on October 5. In honor of the day, there are many Fall Fling fundraisers being held all around the country with one thing in common – proceeds going to FRAXA Research Foundation to help find a cure for Fragile X Syndrome. What is Conductive Education? Conductive Learning Center, Grand Rapids, MI http://www.aquinas.edu/clc/ Developed in 1945 in Hungary by Dr. Andras Peto, conductive education is based on the theory that the central nervous system has the capacity to form new neural connections, despite neurological damage. By repeating tasks and integrating intentional movement with learning, the brain creates alternate paths to send messages to muscle groups, creating the desired movements. Through this, a child can gain movement and skills, and achieve greater levels of independence. Nutritional Supplements for Down Syndrome: A Highly Questionable Approach Len Leshin, M.D., QuackWatch.com, October 18, 1998 http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/down.html This 1998 article gives a comprehensive overview of the debate over the impact diet has on the development of children with Down Syndrome. Targeted Nutritional Intervention - The Ketogenic Resource The Ketogenic Resource, November 2002 http://www.mynchen.demon.co.uk/Related_issues/Targeted_Nutritional_Intervention.htm This article presents a balanced examination of TNI - a nutritional therapy for children with Down's syndrome, using vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes, together with piracetam, a nootropic (mind enhancing) drug. Supporters of TNI claim it is designed to alleviate certain harmful symptoms of Down's syndrome (eg, susceptibility to infections) and to ameliorate other harmful effects of the syndrome (eg, long term degeneration). bridges4kids Featured Website: Food Allergy Network for Kids and Teens http://www.fankids.org Deaf Students Struggle With English Exams CNN, October 22, 2004 http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/10/22/a.matter.of.english.ap/index.html Most deaf students don't grow up hearing English spoken, and thus they often have significant vocabulary gaps that prevent them for scoring well on state English tests, experts say. To combat this, the Mississippi School for the Blind and Deaf is asking state officials to allow deaf students to use a thesaurus during exams, an initiative being watched closely nationwide. Discovering Asperger Syndrome Dan Coulter, Coulter Video, October 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/Coulter10-04.html#top Getting a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome for your child is sort of like getting hit by a slow freight train. Usually, you know something's wrong. Maybe you got worried. Maybe teachers or others urged you to get your child checked out. Maybe, like my wife and I, you went through several other diagnoses first. But even though you knew something was coming, you still feel the impact when you get the official word. Researchers Find New Evidence Against Common Down Syndrome Theory BBC News, October 22, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/BBC10-22-04.html#top Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say they have found evidence to disprove the commonly held notion that Down syndrome is caused by abnormalities in the so-called Critical Down Syndrome Region of the brain. The researchers say they now believe Down syndrome is caused by a combination of genetic and developmental factors, and that understanding these is crucial to treating people with the disorder. Fewer Students Classified as Learning Disabled in Wisconsin Amy Hetzner, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, October 19, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/10-04/MilwaukeeJournal10-19-04.html#top The number of Wisconsin children diagnosed with learning disabilities has shrunk over the past four years, a trend that can be attributed to numerous factors, including efforts to change the way schools classify students. Still, the number of students classified as needing special-education services has gone up, mirroring a nationwide trend.
Special Education Issues	*top*
MA Parents in Boston-area District Seek to Eliminate the Term "SPED" Brookline Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Brookline Tab, October 21, 2004 http://www2.townonline.com/brookline/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=109675 Parents with children in Brookline (Mass.) Public Schools are working to end the use of the acronym "SPED" to describe special-education students because it has taken on a negative connotation. As part of the effort, the Brookline Special Education Parent Advisory Council has said it no longer will use the acronym in its names or materials. bridges4kids Featured Website: Inclusion - Children who learn together, learn to live together http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/ This web site is designed for general education teachers, special education teachers, parents, and school staff to help provide some answers about how inclusive education can be accomplished. Resources for making accommodations are included as well as links to other web sites and resource lists for learning more about inclusive education. Building Bridges Camp and Training Institute http://www.bridgeschool.org/camp.html Provides a summer camp experience for Augmentative & Alternative Communication users 5 -17 years of age, offers training opportunities for individuals who work with AAC users, and supports siblings as they connect with others. Why Methodology Belongs in your Child's IEP Frank Stepnowski, November 2003 http://www.geocities.com/fishstep/method.html "This article outlines the regulations which permit parents to discuss methodology at an IEP meeting. Although originally directed to Illinois law, this article can apply in any State covered by IDEA." MI Homebound Student Wins Fight to Attend Dance Shantell M. Kirkendoll, Flint Journal, October 18, 2004 http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1098113119318100.xml Kayla Swan, a 15-year-old sophomore, has taken her classes at home since she was stricken with a rare blood disorder last year, but she was bound for homecoming a few weeks ago at Lapeer West High School. She had the dress, shoes and a date, but her principal said no way. If she was not in class the day of the dance, she could not be at homecoming, the principal told her family. Wise Beyond Her Years The Boston Globe, October 17, 2004 http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2004/10/17/wise_beyond_her_school_years/ Monica Jain started college this fall at age 15, making her the youngest of Boston University's 29,000 students. The Arizona native rocketed through her school years, skipping kindergarten and the 6th grade, then finishing 11th and 12th grades at the same time. Special Education at a Crossroads Council for Exceptional Children, Today, Vol. 11 No. 2, Oct.-Nov.-Dec. 2004 http://www.cec.sped.org/bk/cectoday/crossroads.html With the many changes engendered by No Child Left Behind, state standards, and inclusion, special educators say we need to examine current special-education practices. IEP Related Resources Short Version of IEP Process http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/1142/iep.html IEP Checklist http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/501201.html COACH training site, University of Vermont Affiliated Programs http://www.uvm.edu/~mgiangre/coach.html Choosing Outcomes and Accommodations for Children, a step-by-step IEP process starting with a parent's vision for their child. Legal Requirements and Court Cases in Support of Inclusion Inclusion: Children Who Learn Together, Learn to Live Together http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/legal/index.html The most current language of the federal mandate concerning inclusive education comes from the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These federal regulations include rulings that guide the regulation. The IDEA requires that children with disabilities be educated in regular education classrooms unless "the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in the regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily." This means that schools have a duty to try to include students with disabilities in the regular general education classes.
Ask the Attorney/Advocate	*top*
bridges4kids Exclusive: Ask the Attorney with John Brower http://www.bridges4kids.org/AA.html#q&a It's IEP season again! Preparing for your first IEP of the year? Refresh your legal know-how by visiting John's Q & A on Special ed law. Visit our site to find the answers to dozens of special ed-related questions!
Upcoming National Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week. To view a complete calendar of National events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html. 30^th Annual LDA of Indiana State LD & ADHD Conference SPONSORS: The Learning Disabilities Association of Indiana, Inc. and Partially Funded with Grants through the Eli Lilly Endowment Foundation and the Adults & Children with Learning Disabilities Foundation (ACLD). WHEN: December 2 & 3, 2004 WHERE: Indianapolis Marriott East Conference Center DESCRIPTION: Dr. Hallowell is a nationally recognized child & adult psychiatrist on learning, attention, focus, stress & worry. He is best known for his National Bestsellers: "Driven to Distraction" & "Answers to Distraction." His newest book "Directions to Distraction" will be out December 28th! Dr. Hallowell has appeared on "The Today Show," "20/20," "Dateline," "Good Morning America," and numerous times on "Oprah." Other Conference Highlights: Thursday Dessert Reception & Keynote with Dr. Hallowell, Friday All Day Conference with 2 Keynotes by Dr. Hallowell, Continental Breakfast, 21 Additional LD & ADHD Workshops, Conference Materials in a Binder, Awards Luncheon Honoring Indiana Students, Parents & Professionals, Large Bookstore Selection, Exhibits Featuring Products & Materials, and Door Prizes. COST: Thursday Evening $15.00 per person; Friday $100.00 per person; Discounts for High School Students & Full Time College Students with School ID's. Limited Parent Scholarships Available. Discounts for Volunteers. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To Get A Conference Program visit the LDA of Indiana Website at www.LDA-IN.org or contact Kathy at (574) 272-3058. National Truancy Prevention Conference WHEN: December 6-8, 2004 WHERE: Washington, DC DESCRIPTION: The conference, "Partnering To Prevent Truancy: A National Priority," will highlight promising & effective school-, community-, & court-based programs that rely on interagency cooperation to prevent truancy in urban, rural, suburban, & tribal communities. Participants will include juvenile justice practitioners, educators & other school personnel, judges, law enforcement officers, researchers, social services providers, health professionals, local & state policymakers, community & business leaders, & representatives from faith-based organizations & national & local youth service agencies. Attendees will learn practical approaches to reduce truancy in their schools & communities. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Additional information about the conference will be posted on OJJDP's Web site as it becomes available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ojjdp. 21^st Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities WHEN: February 28 – March 1, 2005 WHERE: Waikiki DESCRIPTION: We invite you to not only attend, but if you have information that you would like to disseminate, please consider answering our Call for Papers, exhibiting in our Exhibitor Gallery, Advertising in our Participant Program, or taking advantage of any of the other opportunities available to you. Once again we will be offering our Silent Auction for Scholarships which raises funds to provide much needed scholarships for this program and we invite your participation and donations. The Call for Papers is only open through November 15, 2004 so don’t delay getting your submission in to us! FOR MORE INFORMATION: Everything that you need to know about this program can be found by visiting our website at http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu and we invite you to visit us soon. The Second International Conference on Positive Behavior Support "The Expanding World of PBS: Science, Values, & Vision" SPONSORS: The conference is hosted by the Division of Applied Research and Educational Support (DARES) at the University of South Florida and sponsored by the NIDRR Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Positive Behavior Support, the OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support and Florida's Positive Behavior Support Project. WHEN: March 10-12, 2005 WHERE: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel, Tampa, FL DESCRIPTION: Positive Behavior Support involves the assessment and engineering of environments so that people with problem behaviors can increase social, personal and professional quality in their lives. It is an approach that blends values about the rights of people with disabilities with a practical science about how learning and behavior change occur. This conference offers families and professionals information that contributes to successful applications of PBS and improvement in the lives of persons with challenging behavior. Networking and collaboration opportunities will encourage future development of research, practice and systems change within the fields of PBS. Special features will include half-day and full-day Skill-Building Workshops and evening Topical Interest Groups. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit our conference website at www.apbs.org for registration information or call the conference support office at (570) 398-4081. Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association's 9th Annual NLDA Symposium "Making the Most of NLD: Research and Interventions" WHEN: South San Francisco Conference Center, San Francisco, CA WHERE: March 11-12, 2005 DESCRIPTION: Over 20 nationally- and internationally-known speakers will present on the many interrelated aspects of Nonverbal Learning Disorders, March 11-12, 2005, at the South San Francisco Conference Center near the San Francisco International Airport. Various professionals (MD, RN, SLP, OT, MFT, LCSW, psychologists, and educators), as well as parents will receive vital information on NLD, with special emphasis on the latest research and effective interventions to help individuals of all ages with NLD. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on registration, schedule, speakers, and program, visit www.NLDline.com, email NLDAsymposium2005@excite.com, or call 831-624-3542. Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) Annual Convention & Expo WHEN: April 6-9, 2005 WHERE: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD DESCRIPTION: The 2005 Strands Address the Hottest Topics in Special Education Today - Reading and Writing Instruction, Autism, NCLB and Accountability, and Transition are just a few of the strands to be presented at the CEC 2005 Annual Convention & Expo. Leading experts in each area will present in-depth and up-to-date information as well as practical strategies teachers can use in their classrooms. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information visit http://www.cec.sped.org/conventions/maryland_2005/.
Upcoming Michigan Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week. To view a complete calendar of Michigan events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html. Neighborhood Schools are for Everyone: Including Students with Disabilities Featuring Elizabeth Bauer, Michigan State Board of Education Trustee SPONSOR: Everyone Together Macomb WHEN: November 15, 2004 from 7-9 p.m. Where: Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield, Clinton Twp MI 48038, Room 103 B Description: Please join us to listen and engage in lively discussion on why our neighborhood schools should work for all students, and how Universal Education is the key to get us there! Light refreshments will be served. No charge to attend. Elizabeth Bauer has advocated the legal and human rights of all persons. She has championed enlightened public policy and the development of inclusive services for people with disabilities. She has served as a speech pathologist; special educator and school administrator; director of staff development and later director of community placement in Michigan's public mental health system; and for twenty years, executive director of Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. Currently, she is an elected member of the State Board of Education in Michigan. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Space is limited. Register with Laura Krausman at (586) 756-2590, or Monique Bonifas (586) 997-3720 to attend, or email us at everyonetogethermacomb@yahoo.com. Michigan Child Care Task Force Meeting Notice WHEN: December 1, 2004 WHERE:State of Michigan Library, Lake Ontario Room, 3rd floor, 717 West Allegan Lansing, MI 48909-7507 DESCRIPTION: Speaker will be Marianne Udow, Director, FIA. Public Hearing, held by Michigan Department of Education, on revised Early Childhood Standards of Quality. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information contact MCCTF Co-Chair Lisa Brewer, Michigan 4C Association T.E.A.C.H. Director, 866-648-3224, ext.27 or brewer@mi4c.org or contact Richard Lower, Michigan Head Start Association, Executive Director, 517-374-MHSA or Richard@mhsa.ws. Early Childhood Public Policy Forum WHEN: December 7, 2004 from 10:00am - 1:30pm WHERE: Transformations Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road, Nazareth, Michigan (near Kalamazoo). DESCRIPTION: The forum is jointly sponsored by United Way of America and the Greater Kalamazoo United Way. Seating is limited. Lunch will be provided. FOR MORE INFORMATION: RSVP to Elaine Griffin at egriffin@kalamazoounitedway.org or fax 269-344-7250 before November 15, 2004. For more information contact Ronda Cunningham, Greater Kalamazoo United Way at rcunningham@gkuw.org or 269-343-2524.
Bridges4Kids Chief Executive Officer Deborah Canja deb@bridges4kids.org Bridges4Kids Director of Information Technology & Information Systems Jackie Igafo-Te'o jackie@bridges4kids.org Bridges4Kids Resource Assistant Bella Djordjevski news@bridges4kids.org