| News for special education professionals |  |
- Ideas, resources for teaching students about the Paralympic Games
This blog post offers resources and lesson ideas for teaching students about this year's Paralympic Games in which about 4,200 athletes with disabilities -- representing 165 countries -- are competing. The resources include a history of the event through the years, as well as links to teacher-created lessons that incorporate the Games into the classroom or school events. The Guardian (London)
(9/2)     
- Texas district expands special-education offerings
A Texas school district has expanded its special-education programs this year, adding a new classroom for students with visual impairments, plus a greenhouse and related curriculum for students with disabilities. The greenhouse, located at a middle school, will be used to teach math and science, among other subjects. Another greenhouse is under construction and the district is launching a hotel management course to help prepare students for careers. The Brownsville Herald (Texas)
(9/3)
 | Reader's Theater Helps Increase State Test Scores
Differentiated instruction in E. Hartford, CT led to big gains and included Reader's Theater scripts with roles at a range of reading levels to accommodate diverse students. New Word Plays, which improve foundational skills, now join the multi-leveled Reader's Theater series that make K-8 learning active, effective, and engaging. Free sampler.
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| Educational Leadership |  |  |
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- Great teachers must be supported, built
A highly structured student-teaching environment in preservice is important for building great teachers, Washington teacher Dan Brown writes in this opinion article. Brown shares his own story and writes that outside of the classroom, top teachers build relationships with students' families and are focused on continuous improvement. "Great educators are cultivated, not anointed," Brown writes. WJLA-TV (Washington, D.C.)
(8/31)
- Dealing with students' behavior
Managing student behavior in the classroom is one of the most important parts of being an effective teacher, writes Michelle Aycock, a psychotherapist in Savannah, Ga. When students misbehave, Aycock advises that teachers control their anger and make sure their consequences are fair and consistently applied to all students. Teachers also should be willing to admit when they make mistakes, she writes in this column. Savannah Morning News (Ga.) (free registration)
(8/31)
| Technology Trends | | |
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- New classroom-clicker device includes Braille characters
A new version of a student response device by a division of Macmillan New Ventures has enhanced features for students who cannot see or who have visual impairments. The new i>clicker+ device -- used in conjunction with software to deliver formative assessments, polls and other interactions between teachers and students -- includes Braille characters on the A to E buttons and features a recessed power button, among other new features. T.H.E. Journal
(9/4)
| Policy News | | |
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- How does special-education spending affect student outcomes?
Levels of special-education spending -- which vary greatly across the country -- may not necessarily correlate with levels of academic achievement among students with disabilities, according to a study released Tuesday by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The study considered spending by 10 pairs of school districts in five states and found those with higher achievement spent the same or less than their counterparts. Advocates for students with disabilities disagree. "Repeatedly, every year, teachers, administrators, everyone says there isn't enough funding to deliver the kind of services that are needed," said Lindsay Jones, senior director for policy and advocacy at the Council for Exceptional Children, which represents special-education teachers. The Washington Post
(9/5)
- Democratic Party unveils education platform
The newly released Democratic Party 2012 platform promotes the importance of Common Core State Standards, according to this blog post. The common core was not mentioned in the Republican Party platform, while the Democratic platform praises President Barack Obama's record on education and support for teachers. Education Week/Politics K-12 blog
(9/4)
| Eye on Exceptionalities | | |
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- Sleep disorders in childhood may predict special-education needs
Children who had sleep-disordered breathing or other sleep problems in the first five years of life were more likely to need special education at age 8, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. The findings, based on more than 11,000 children in southwest England, highlight the need for parents and daycare workers to monitor children's sleep. WebMD
(9/4)
| CEC Spotlight | | |
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New CEC Webinar Series; registration is now open
"Leading in Co-Teaching: Strategies to Enhance Team Outcomes" is a "can't miss" webinar series for all administrators and other leaders interested in building and improving the co-teaching capabilities in their schools. The series, which takes place at 4 p.m. ET Oct. 2, Oct. 9, and Nov. 13, will address how co-teaching fits into inclusive schools, as well as administrative and instructional strategies that will enhance outcomes for students. Sign up today!
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