Our Focus for September...
Self-Assessment & Action Planning
The timing for our topic this month is perfect for the beginning of a brand new school year and on the tails of the spectacular 2012 Olympic Games! You may wonder what self-assessment and action planning have to do with the Olympic games… We would argue everything! They are very closely connected, simply because they are both about precision.
Consider the following as you kick off the 2012/2013 academic school year: “What will you guarantee every single student who steps foot inside your building?”
Equitable access to the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) or general education curriculum? Equitable access to high quality instruction provided by teachers skilled in core content knowledge AND instructional methods designed to engage and bring learning within the reach of every student? Access to individualized supports designed by student need versus traditional labels, places or categories?
Sounds good, right? However, how will you guarantee them? Read more...
This month we bring you a facilitator guide and presentation materials to lead your teachers through a self-assessment of the characteristics of effective teachers. This tool was adapted from Sonia Nieto’s Characteristics of Teachers of All Students (2005). You may use this process to discuss how your school will continue to work toward improved and equitable outcomes for all students.
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Achieving Inclusion Across the Globe:
National Convention and International Forum
October 25-28, 2012
Washington, D.C.
The Arc and Inclusion International are co-hosting the 2012 National Convention and International Forum to be held in Washington, D.C this fall. This forum offers an opportunity for educators, families, NGOs and all those interested in international inclusion to connect with members of the intellectual and developmental disability community from across the globe. Concurrent sessions cover a broad range of topics that include emergency preparedness, transition from school to work, self-advocacy and technology.
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SchoolBook Reports:
Special Education Overhaul in New York City Public Schools
SchoolBook , a New York Times and New York City Public Radio hosted news site, has been closely following the current overhaul of special education practices in New York City public schools toward inclusive education as the norm, not the exception. This series of reports on SchoolBook has covered a variety of topics associated with the significant reform process including IEP development, strategies principals are using to include students with special needs in general education schools and a comparison of NYC schools with national trends in education.
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Inclusive Education for Ghana:
Video News Story from the BBC
The government of the African nation of Ghana has committed to including all children with disabilities in mainstream schools by the year 2015. This recent BBC news story highlights a progressive inclusive school in Ghana where all children are welcome. But there is much doubt that other schools in the country can follow suit by 2015. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/19178755 to hear more about this progressive school and the challenges facing children with disabilities in Ghana.
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