Special Education Today

31 May 2009

English intervention improves Spanish-speakers? early literacy outcomes

Filed under: Uncategorized — Teach Effectively! @ 7:27 am

In Child Development Jo Ann Farver and colleagues reported that young children who speak Spanish can learn English early literacy skills better when they receive instruction in English. That finding’s not particularly surprising, but there’s more: There’s a comparison of English-only and “transitional” methods. Children who received instruction in English-only or Spanish with transition to [...]

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30 May 2009

The BAD KIDS!!!

Filed under: teaching — Leila @ 7:11 pm

I have a lot of what you call “bad kids”. It’s no accident either. I spoke with my Program Specialist who basically told me that they were being sent to me because they knew I could handle it.

Okay, so you’re just going to burn me out, huh!

I know that I have excellent classroom management skills, but come on! This is what happens to a lot of teachers during the first 5 years who end up quitting. I know that I’m not going to be one of those ones. I have my mind made up. I know I want to teach. I’ve known for more than 12 years. But, why does the system work like this? Why are new teachers burnt out and not offered much support? I’d really like to know!

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2009 Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award

Filed under: DC Public Schools, Special Education, Teacher Sol's Lifestory, Teachers/ Educators — ms.angala @ 10:34 am

One of my favorite students and the most challenging one did the unimaginable in my classroom after I left the school the other day. It just made my entire day yesterday one of the worst in my life! Since the moment I entered my classroom first thing in the morning, I couldn't focus anymore, just the thought made me want to throw up, I couldn't eat, my energy was drained and was having a migraine all day long! I am not going to tell what happened. I just reminded myself that my love for my students is unconditional, and I love my job because I am directly and positively impacting their lives. This is just one of those days that made me want to cry...

Before I left the school building in the afternoon, my principal told me : "I have something for you, see me before you leave". I said "A gift? Our birthday is coming up!", I was kidding her because we have the same birthday!

So I went to her office before signing out. She gave me a folder and she said, "Congratulations for being the recipient of a national award!" Surprised, I opened the folder and saw an award certificate from the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) which reads:

Be it known that Maria Lourdes C. Angala is the recipient of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award.

This certificate is hereby conferred to Maria Lourdes C. Angala to honor and recognize the dedication, loyalty, perseverance, and enthusiasm given to the exceptional students at the Jefferson Middle School. Presented by The National Association of Special Education Teachers 2008-2009.

There was a letter to my principal letting her know of the award bestowed upon me, and also a copy of the 3-page nomination essay submitted by one of my colleagues who believes in me. This job indeed is the most challenging but for me the most rewarding. What keeps me going? You!

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2009 DENny Award (Discovery Educators Network)

Filed under: DC Public Schools, Special Education, Technology in Education — ms.angala @ 10:04 am

I love blogging! In the 5 years that I have been blogging here, I have learned many things about special education, about the best practices in teaching, about education policies that impact our schools and students, and a lot about myself (that I can write and rock the web!).

:D Got an email the other day, got another national award for my blog! Part of the letter reads:

I want to congratulate you on winning a DENny Award for 2009. This is the first year we have awarded these prestigious honors to select members of the DEN and I want to thank you for being part of the inaugural class. You have really done an amazing job supporting the DEN community in so many ways and the DENny Award is a small gesture of our appreciation.

And, If you are really confused right now, check out the DEN Blog and you will see the list of award winners including yourself: http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2009/05/27/1st-annual-denny-awards/

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email or call me.

Can't wait to join the STAR Discovery Educators in San Francisco for our week-long National Institute. I promise to bring back to my colleagues in DCPS all the technology stuff and knowledge on how to effectively integrate technology in the classroom. Two weeks more and I will have more time for some action...bring it on!

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29 May 2009

Judge Sotomayor and Special Education

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim Gerl @ 8:22 pm

Nobody really knows how a justice being appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court will rule on cases before the court. Retiring Justice David Souter is perhaps the best example of that rule. Appointed by Republican President George H. W. Bush, he turned out to be quite moderate rather than the conservative many thought he would be. Special education cases do not really lend themselves to the liberal/conservative analysis. For example, Justice Scalia and Justice Ginsburg voted the same way on the Murphy decision. Suggested new slogan for us: "Special Education- bringing people together!"

President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the vacancy on the court. Here is a news article. The special education community is wondering how she will rule on special education cases. Although crystal ball gazing has is notoriously dangerous and hopelessly unreliable, it may be instructive to take a look at how Judge Sotomayor has ruled on special education cases in the past. I have found about fourteen decisions, and from them I have selected two interesting examples:

The first is the famous Frank G case, Bd of Educ, Hyde Park v. Frank G. 48 IDELR 239, 459 F.3rd 356 (2d Cir. 7/27/6), cert den 128 US (official reporter) 436 (U.S. 10/15/7). Judge Sotomayor ruled with the Second Circuit panel that the parents of a child with a disability may receive reimbursement after a denial of FAPE by the school district even if the child has never received special education in the public school system. The Supremes decided by a 4 to 4 vote not to accept this case for review. Here is a copy of the decision. This decision is seen as pro-parent.

The second decision is Mr L ex rel M v. Sloan 45 IDELR 207, 449 F3rd 405 (2d Cir (5/18/6). In this case Judge Sotomayor voted to deny attorney's fees to parents who had settled the case below. Applying Supreme Court precedent in the Buckhannon decision, Judge Sotomayor and the second circuit ruled that the parents were not prevailing parties under the law. Here is a description of the case on the SCOTUS blog. This decision is seen as pro-district.

It will be interesting to see how Justice Sotomayor rules on our cases on the Supreme Court. What do you think? How will she rule on special education cases?

Speaking of the Supremes, the pending case should be decided soon. Please take the opportunity to vote on our poll. The poll is not even close to being scientific, but it is still fun. "For the parents" still leads "for the district" by a margin of 25 to 20. Three readers have recused themselves for a conflict of interest. Time is running out. Cast your vote today.

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27 May 2009

The Magical Mystery (er, … IDEA Remides) Tour

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim Gerl @ 9:40 am

In July of this year, I am embarking on what I call my IDEA Remedies Tour. Granted it lacks the charisma of the "Magical Mystery Tour," but what can ya do? I was thinking of having T-shirts printed with the "Jim Gerl IDEA Remedies Tour" emblazoned upon the front. The back of the shirt could have the names and locations of the concerts, er... I mean the presentations! Unfortunately, there probably isn't much of a market though.

But seriously, I will be giving presentations on the two major remedies available if the parents/student win an IDEA due process hearing. On July 8th, I'll be presenting on Compensatory Education at the Seattle University School of Law's Eighth Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in Seattle, Washington. On July 22nd, I'll be speaking on the Remedy of Reimbursement for Unilateral Placements at the 16th Annual Education Law Conference in Portland, Maine, sponsored by the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine School of Law.

You can learn more about the Seattle Academy through this link. You may register for the conference here. It is designed primarily for due process hearing officers or those who administer IDEA dispute resolution systems.

You can learn more about the Portland, Maine Education Law Conference through this link. You can register for the conference here. This is a more general education law conference

Both conferences do a great job. As many readers know, I love the networking opportunities that these types of conferences provide. I have made many friends at similar conferences, and they help me with my work all the time. If you are planning on attending either conference, please let me know. I always enjoy meeting and talking with the many interesting readers of this blog. (NOTE: Just before the last conference I attended, I had problems with one of my email accounts and I missed out on the chance to meet a couple of readers. I have already apologized to them and I repeat it here. If I don't get back to you, please find me at the conference and demand a cup of coffee!)

By the end of the IDEA Remedies Tour, I should know everything there is to know about special education remedies. Well at least until the Supreme Court resolves the pending case. Oh yeah, then there is reauthorization. OK, so I forgot for a minute that special ed law is "new" law. Anybody who claims to know everything about it- probably doesn't!

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26 May 2009

Preteen who is gifted raises money to fight hunger

Filed under: education funding and grants — ms.angala @ 7:28 pm

Taylor Graham, 11, who is gifted, has a knack for fundraising that helped him raise nearly $13,000 this year through the "Read for the Need" program to aid an Oregon food pantry. In 2004, Taylor thought up and spearheaded "Read for the Need," which raised $29,000 in its first three years. The Oregonian (Portland)

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Minnesota teen with autism earns Eagle Scout honors

Filed under: Autism, Special Education — ms.angala @ 7:25 pm

Lucas Brown received his special award just last weekend, but what's even more amazing is just how much he had to overcome to get it.

High-school senior Lucas Brown, who is mildly autistic, has completed 21 merit badges and become an Eagle Scout. Brown will graduate with academic honors in June and plans to attend a trade school to study welding and fabrication. WCCO-TV (Minneapolis)

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Kindergartner with leukemia uses webcam to follow class

Filed under: Special Education, Technology in Education — ms.angala @ 7:19 pm

Two Arizona educators and a volunteer enabled a kindergartner with leukemia to attend class virtually in order to protect her health. They set up a webcam system that allowed Amelia Brueggemann, 6, to hear her teacher and see the blackboard in her kindergarten classroom from home or her hospital bed. Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)

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Study shows fidgeting may help children with ADHD to focus

Filed under: ADHD/ ADD, Special Education — ms.angala @ 7:18 pm

Children with ADHD may need to fidget to help them access their short-term memory, according to a study from University of Central Florida researchers. Boys with and without ADHD fidgeted more when asked to recall numbers and patterns, but the study found those with ADHD moved much more. Only when their concentration wasn't needed did the boys sit still, researchers said. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)

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The countdown begins!

Filed under: teaching — Leila @ 3:36 pm

Yes, people, the countdown begins! There are only 19 school days left in the school year. Believe me when I say that I’m counting down. I am really tired. I thought that after my leave that I would breeze through the last couple of weeks. Not so! I am so looking forward to summer. To sleeping in and doing nothing for days at a time. To cleaning my house and having the time to maintain it.

Here’s to summer break!

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This Blog is Safe

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim Gerl @ 10:07 am

This blog is safe.

Well, we had an interesting holiday weekend. An alert reader told me that the website had been listed by Mozilla Firefox as potentially a problem. I investigated, and I found that Google had flagged some outdated utility software I had placed on the website. Apparently, it contained some outdated code that the Google algorithm found suspicious. I removed the software, and submitted the matter to Google for review.

The Google technicians promptly reviewed the matter and by yesterday, the blog again received their seal of approval. I want to thank the Google tech support people. They will probably never see this post, but they were very patient with this digital immigrant and my various phobias. The blog is definitely safe, and meets all of their standards.

I am sorry if this caused any readers any inconvenience. I'm very proud of the wide variety of special education stakeholders who read this blog. Your intelligent and sometimes passionate comments and emails help me to think through my own positions on special education law and the policies underlying it. Please keep reading, subscribing, commenting and emailing!

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25 May 2009

D.C. Council considers program for problem students

Filed under: DC Public Schools, Special Education — ms.angala @ 11:11 pm

The Washington, D.C., Council is threatening to get in the way of a program that has successfully helped some of the district's most troubled students, according to a Washington Post columnist. D.C. START aims to stop behavioral problems when they begin by placing social workers in elementary and middle schools; the program goes so far as to draw together multiple agencies, including police and social services, with the goal of getting to the root of the problems plaguing students. The Washington Post

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Effective teachers collaborate

Filed under: National Board Certification, Professional Development Trainings — ms.angala @ 10:56 pm

Stanford University professor of education Linda Darling-Hammond, who founded the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute and the School Redesign Network, says the best teachers make time to collaborate with other educators on best practices. The most effective teachers also focus on individual student needs, allow students to apply what they have learned and improve student achievement by helping them better utilize their strengths, she says. The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

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High Performing, Inclusive Secondary Schools: A Leadership Institute

Filed under: Inclusion, Response to Intervention, Special Education — ms.angala @ 10:35 pm

Institute Participants Will Gain Knowledge and Skills in the Following Areas:

Current research and effective practices in standards-based literacy, mathematics and scienceat the secondary level

Relevant and practical co-teaching strategies formiddle and high school classrooms, incorporatingstrategies for students with and without disabilities

Strategies to promote social success among middleand high school students
Progress monitoring strategies based on currenttrends in assessing and grading secondary studentswith disabilities
Curricular adaptations in a high stakes environment
Quick and easy strategies across content areas toimpact learning for all students
Culturally responsive educational practices
Techniques for building stronger partnershipsbetween general and special educators, as well aswith students and families
Effective use of common planning time

Who Should Attend:

School-based teamsincluding:

Co-teaching Teams
General and Special Educators
School-based Administrators
Inclusion Facilitators
Related Services Personnel
Other Faculty interested in Inclusive Education

To Register:
Visit www.inclusiveschools.org Registration begins MAY 27, 2009. Space is limited - registrations accepted on a first come first serve basis.

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