What: Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance through Dear Colleague Letters to elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education along with a Frequently Asked Questions document on the legal obligation to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of technology. This guidance is a critical step in the Department’s ongoing efforts to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to the educational benefits and services provided by their schools, colleges and universities. All students, including those with disabilities, must have the tools needed to obtain a world-class education that prepares them for success in college and careers.
Today’s guidance provides information to schools about their responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guidance supplements a June 2010 letter issued jointly by OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The June letter explains that technological devices must be accessible to students with disabilities, including students who are blind or have low vision, unless the benefits of the technology are provided equally through other means. Today’s guidance highlights what educational institutions need to know and take into consideration in order to ensure that students with disabilities enjoy equal access when information and resources are provided through technology.
“Technology can be a critical investment in enhancing educational opportunities for all students,” said Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights. “The Department is firmly committed to ensuring that schools provide students with disabilities equal access to the benefits of technological advances.”
Today’s guidance is part of a larger effort by the Department and Obama administration to better serve the needs of people with disabilities. Last month, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined Kareem Dale, associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and special assistant to the President for disability policy, for a conference call with stakeholders to talk about some of the Department’s efforts. During the call, Duncan discussed the Department’s commitment to maintaining accountability in No Child Left Behind for all subgroups, including students with disabilities, and highlighted the Department’s proposal to increase funding for students with disabilities in the fiscal year 2012 budget. Ali will also join Dale for a stakeholder conference call where she will discuss today’s guidance and address the Department’s work to ensure that all schools are fulfilling their responsibilities under the federal disability laws that OCR enforces.
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Region II CSPD June Institute - Great Falls - June 11-13, 2012 - 0 views
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Click here to download the flyer for this event (.pdf) What/When:
Supporting all Kids to Become Cool Kids: A Schoolwide Approach * June 11, 2012
Participants will be introduced to system wide approaches and practices to promote appropriate student behavior, teach social competence and establish consistent reactions to instances of unacceptable student behavior. When all staff consistently use an effective school wide approach, overall student behavior improves, time available for teaching and learning increases and the climate of the school community becomes more supportive and safe for both students and educators. All Kids Can be Cool Kids: Individual Plan and Approaches for Individual Students * June 12, 2012
Exemplary schools have well-designed, consistently implemented, and consistently improving systems for encouraging appropriate student behavior. However, even in these schools, there will be a small number of students needing more structure and support to be behaviorally successful. This workshop will address how to develop, implement, monitor, and adjust effective individual plans for these few "tough" kids for whom the school wide practices are not sufficient. Every Kid Can be a Cool Kid: Every Adult Can Make a Difference * June 13, 2012
In this workshop, participants will learn a variety of communication and interaction strategies designed to not only build relationships with students but increase the likelihood of student compliance with adult directions, the growth of overall social competence and the enhancement of the school environment as a place for adults to work and students to learn. Where:
Hampton Inn
2301 14th Street Southwest
Great Fal
Level 2 Gifted & Talented Training - Workshops - Multiple Dates - 0 views
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Click here to register for this workshop
November 5, 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Designing and Implementing Services for Gifted Students?(Program Planning)
Course Description: School teams, comprised of teachers, administrators, counselors, specialists, academic coaches or anyone working with programming options for gifted students, will be presented with the OPI Framework for Gifted Education Programs and a Gifted Program Planning Template. This is a working session, at the end of which, the teams will have a firm grasp of the state framework and will use the template to construct a gifted program that fits their district and population. Time will be provided to work on individual program plans.
Click here to register for this workshop
November 12: 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Practical Strategies for Meeting the Needs of High Ability Students
Course description: This course will focus on the Identification of Advanced Learners. Topics will include: Working from a collaborative written philosophy; using formative assessment--observing student behaviors, pre-assessment, etc. to modify instruction; using summative assessment--making formal identification of students for services. This will be a hands-on workshop with time for discussion and application of content to specific settings and situations.
Click here to register for this workshop
November 19: 8:30AM to 4:30PM</
ATIA Webinars - Multiple Dates - 1 views
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November 12th - Implementing AAC in the Classroom with Kelly Fonner, Consultant, Fonner Consulting & Training OVERVIEW: Challenges are often met when introducing AAC systems from the clinical or
"speech-room" setting into the busy environment of the classroom. The "real-world" of
communication does not always play out easily for the student using AAC. Whether they are using
lo-tech or hi-tech systems there are strategies that can assist staff and families in bringing AAC into
the school day. During this webinar you will learn to evaluate the AAC-using student's day by
communication contexts and reevaluate the possibilities of how your student can more effectively
communicate, learn vocabulary or communication strategies during the typical activities of their
school day.
Exciting two part webinar series on Reading Comprehension with Scott Marfilius. It is recommended
that both webinars be attended. The content for these two webinars come from Scott's highly
acclaimed three hour workshop. REGISTER ONLINE http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0015DFd8XTzVJ3rQKTZEMzE53P63vyJ
Department of Education Issues Guidance on Rights of Students with Disabilities When Ed... - 0 views
Designing and Implementing Services for Gifted Students - Billings - June 5, 6, 2013 - 0 views
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Register for this event
View the flyer for this event
What:
The Montana Regional Education Service Area III (MRESA3) is offering an opportunity for professional development on the new revisions for Gifted and Talented in Montana. This workshop is designed to assist schools and districts to have the necessary components for their Gifted and Talented Program Plan to submit to OPI. The focus of this workshop is to equip the participant with strategies necessary to construct a gifted program that fits their district and population of students. Participants will be presented with the OPI framework for Gifted Education Programs and a Gifted Program Planning Template. Emphasis will be placed on identification of gifted and twice exceptional children as well as characteristics of sound curriculum for gifted students. Several teaching strategies that enable the teacher to differentiate the core curriculum to meet the needs of not only the gifted student but all students in the classroom will be presented. Participants will come away with the ability to complete a comprehensive plan for their district and/or develop a differentiated curriculum unit or lesson.
When:
June 5-6, 2013
8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mountain
Where:
MSUB College of Education, Room 122
1500 University Dr.
Billings, MT 59101 Cost:
$100 (lunch is on your own). 15 OPI Renewal Units, College credit available
Translating Student Skills into Potential Job Tasks - Webinar - May 21, 2013 - 0 views
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Register for this webinar
What:
As we are gathering information about a student's interests, strengths and skills, how do we translate that information into what the student could do for tasks on the job? Many times we get stuck on the one task we witness a student perform well and then only visualize them doing that task in a new location. How do we identify new and challenging tasks the student could do in addition to what they have already tried?
This webinar will provide the audience with strategies for observing student performance, capturing descriptive information, identifying skills and abilities and then translating this information into ideas of additional job tasks that they could perform for employers.
When:
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free of charge. Space is limited
Think College, College Options for People with Intellectual Disabilites - Webinar - Mul... - 1 views
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Legislation, Advocacy and Systems Change Wednesday, December 12, 2012 12:00:00 PM MST - 1:30:00 PM MST This webinar will review the important legislative and policy changes that have directly and indirectly affected postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. (Chapter 2) Click here to register for this webinar Preparing for What? Employment and Community Participation Tuesday, January 22, 2013 12:00:00 PM MST - 1:30:00 PM MST This webinar will discuss factors related to job outcomes for students with ID who are attending PSE programs and present a case study of a program in CT that addressed these issues and improved their employment outcomes as a result. (Chapters 8 & 9)
Click here to register for this webinar College-Based (Dual-Enrollment) Transition Programs Wednesday, February 6, 2013 12:00:00 PM MST - 1:30:00 PM MST In this webinar, the speakers discuss the policies and practices that they have been developed to promote successful college experiences for students while they are still in high school. (Chapter 4)
https://events-na6.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/839220836/en/events/event/shared/114993203
Aspergers will no longer exist after May of 2013 - 0 views
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The American Psychological Association (APA) is changing the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders, a change which will occur in May of 2013. Click here to review he changes that will be included in the DSM-5. Note: A diagnosis of Aspergers does not qualify a student for eligibility under the disability category of Other Health Impairment. The OHI criteria require that the student has a health problem and Aspergers is a psychological disorder. There are several changes which concern parents, education professionals and people with autism spectrum disorders. Very briefly, these changes are: The new APA criterion for autism spectrum disorders is different from the current APA, IDEA and Montana educational criteria for autism spectrum disorders. Asperger's Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) will no longer exist as separate APA diagnostic categories, but will be subsumed in the revised APA criteria for "Autism Spectrum Disorder." Aspergers and PDD will no longer exist. What will these changes mean for students with autism spectrum disorders in Montana's public schools? Montana is unlikely to change the current criteria for identification of a student as having autism until the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) is reauthorized.The IDEA was last reauthorized in 2004 and the revised regulations were published in 2006. There is no anticipated date for when the next reauthorization will occur. Contact: ddoty@mt.gov Doug Doty, Statewide Coordinator OPI Montana Autism Education Project 406-459-5303
Inclusion: Promoting Success for Students with Disabilities - Webinar - June 19, 2013 - 0 views
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What:
Including students in general education settings is a pivotal component of quality special education service delivery. An inclusive educational environment benefits student with and without disabilities through a shared educational experience and requires quality, ongoing training and implementation supports for educators and families. Successful inclusion requires planned, purposeful delivery. This webinar will discuss strategies that assist districts in meeting the expectation of least restrictive environment through educating students with disabilities in general education settings. Through effective inclusive practices outcomes for students with and without disabilities improve.
When:
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free of charge
Customizing iPad Content for Students with Special Needs - Webinar - May 22, 2013 - 0 views
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What:
The iPad has many apps to assist students with special needs. In this webinar, learn how free, low-cost, and specialized apps can be customized for students with diverse needs. The built-in (free) Photos and Camera apps are easily adapted for flashcards, picture books, and video modeling of social skills. Low-cost apps for books and creativity can be customized to target receptive and expressive language skills. Finally, specialized apps for articulation (e.g., ArtikPix) and literacy (e.g., StoryPals) have modules to create specific learning targets for students. Participants will learn these various implementations of iPad apps to improve individualization for their students.
When:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free of charge
Improving Outcomes For Homebound/Alternative Education Students With Online Learning - ... - 0 views
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Click here to register for this webinar
What:
In this webinar, Kim Spencer, senior manager of the K12 Homebound Education Program, will outline the unique logistical, educational and emotional obstacles that homebound students face as they attempt to balance academics and recovery. She will also discuss how she is currently working with districts across the country to help their students overcome these obstacles and stay engaged and on-track with school work, while partnering with the school district to operate an online program at a lesser cost than their traditional program. Topics to be covered include: The #1 reason hospitalized or homebound students often fail in traditional models, how a targeted online homebound education program can be less costly while improving educational outcomes, how K12 provides homebound students access to the same rigorous learning experience as their in-school classmates, and how this model also works effectively in alternative learning environments, such as addiction center or juvenile detention facility When:
Friday, February 22, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mountain Cost:
Free of charge. Registration is reqired.
School Discipline, Classroom Management, and Student Self-Management: Designing and Imp... - 0 views
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Click here to sign up for webinar What: This presentation will describe a comprehensive school-wide system that maximizes students' academic achievement, creates safe school environments and positive school climates, increases and sustains effective classroom instruction and parent involvement, and collects data to demonstrate student and building outcomes. We will discuss the six critical components of an effective PBSS system: Social, emotional, and behavioral skills instruction approach The development of grade-level and building-wide accountability systems Staff an
Make Thinking Visible with the Flipped Classroom Model - Webinar - April 4, 2012 - 0 views
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Click here to register for this webinar What:
From Harvard University to inner city Detroit to rural Colorado; from basic introductory classes to AP courses, teachers are experiencing significant improvement in student achievement transitioning to the 'Flipped Classroom' model. A side benefit is that teachers save time. The flip model represents a merger of: The Socratic method where students are responsible for meaningful conversation while in class
Research in cognitive science that shows students need immediate feedback
The emergence of powerful learning online communities where student thinking can become more visible and mutually supportive
The flip model represents a significant cultural change in the traditional classroom and changing roles of student and teacher When:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from 2
12:00pm - 1:00pm Mountain
n2y's Standards Based Curriculum from the Cloud for Students with Significant needs - W... - 0 views
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Register for this webinar
What:
N2Y moves learning to the cloud! N2Y is a champion for students with significant needs and our quality products prove that one size does not fit all. Our interactive lessons in News-2-You, our weekly newspaper, and Unique Learning System, our standards-based curriculum aligned to the common core, allow all students to participate in meaningful content across differentiated levels of instruction over six distinct grade bands. SymbolStix ONLINE allows for further engagement of students. Data collected from the comprehensive assessments foster quality decisions about educational planning for each student, while demonstrating progress and increased measurability. N2Y's cloud-based learning is accessible and requires no software, resulting in fewer headaches for IT and Educational staff.
When:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free of charge
The 1 iPad Classroom - Webinar - Nov. 14, 2013 - 0 views
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What:
You finally have an iPad in your classroom, but how can all your students benefit from it? How do you do it? This session will cover strategies that can be used so all students can benefit from the iPad. We will also cover iPad management, document sharing, accessibility features and more. Participants in this webinar will discover ways to utilize one or two iPads in a classroom so that all students can benefit. The iPad can provide professionals with the opportunity to individualize and customize materials for all students in the classroom. This webinar will demonstrate various apps for managing classrooms, presenting to students, creating and adapting classroom materials and various approaches to using one iPad in a classroom. This webinar will also provide information on accessibility features, device management, file sharing and copyright.
When:
Thursday, November 14, 2013
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
$55.00 per person
Cosmo Braille Writer and "BERT" for remote instruction - 0 views
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Electronic Brailler LLC Manufacturers of the Cosmo Braille Writer and "BERT" Braille Education Remote Tool Now as never before a blind student using a Braille Writer in the classroom can be as quiet as a sighted student writing with a pencil on paper. The non disruptive patent pending Cosmo Braille Writer is a classroom-friendly Braille writer and quiet embosser. The Cosmo Braille Writer is easy for children and adults to use, economical to run and easily maintained. For the first time in the history of Braille; Braille can be taught over the internet. BERT is a revolutionary new tool that enables both the teacher and student to communicate by voice and keyboard in real time during a remote teaching session. Any keys depressed by the student on the BERT Braille keyboard will be immediately recognized by the teacher either on their Braille display or for sighted teachers on their computer screen. BERT enables real time interactive communication between teacher and student, creating a "side by side" mode of working together.
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Electronic Brailler LLC Manufacturers of the Cosmo Braille Writer and "BERT" Braille Education Remote Tool Now as never before a blind student using a Braille Writer in the classroom can be as quiet as a sighted student writing with a pencil on paper. The non disruptive patent pending Cosmo Braille Writer is a classroom-friendly Braille writer and quiet embosser. The Cosmo Braille Writer is easy for children and adults to use, economical to run and easily maintained. For the first time in the history of Braille; Braille can be taught over the internet. BERT is a revolutionary new tool that enables both the teacher and student to communicate by voice and keyboard in real time during a remote teaching session. Any keys depressed by the student on the BERT Braille keyboard will be immediately recognized by the teacher either on their Braille display or for sighted teachers on their computer screen. BERT enables real time interactive communication between teacher and student, creating a "side by side" mode of working together.
Assessing and Increasing Students' Ability to Read Multisyllabic Words - Bozeman - Sept... - 0 views
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Course # 3238 - 6 OPI Renewal Units
What:
When upper elementary or secondary students fail written assessments, teachers often assume it's because they lack specific content knowledge. But what if it's simply because they cannot read the multisyllabic words? All reading consists of three components: word identification, vocabulary, and comprehension. Word identification is often overlooked and can be the root of students' failure. Hear about new evidence-based data on prefixes, suffixes, and Greek roots occurring most often in content-area words that supports a shared responsibility for strengthening students' literacy skills. Discover quick, formative assessments for upper elementary and secondary teachers that measure students' ability to use knowledge of syllable types, syllable division patterns, and common morphemes (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, Greek roots) to decode multisyllabic words. The CORE Teaching Reading Sourcebook, a comprehensive resource in teaching research based reading instruction, is used during the session as a resource in helping teachers improve instruction in multisyllabic word instruction.
When:
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013
8:30 am - 3:30 pm Mountain
Where:
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main
Bozeman, MT
Cost:
No cost
Help! Our Students All Have iPads: Now What? - Webinar - Dec. 13, 2012 - 0 views
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Click here to register for this webinar What:
Have you done a school or district iPad implementation? Now that all the logistics are somewhat under control, are your teachers struggling with how to effectively utilize iPads in the classroom? Join this webinar to learn how to set your teachers up for success by providing them resources on:
- 21st Century Student Assessment using Filmmaking
- 21st Century Student Assessment using Animation
- 21st Century Student Assessment using Podcasting workshop
- Authentic Assessment using iPads When:
Thursday, December 13, 2012
12:00pm Mountain Standard Time Contact:
Click here to submit any questions or concerns
2013 Conference on Inclusive Education: Same Fish, Different Sea - Colorado Springs, CO... - 0 views
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Click here to register for this conference
What:
Inclusive education is a process of school reform that creates equality in education and increases achievement for ALL students, including students with disabilities. PEAK Parent Center's annual Conference on Inclusive Education holds the tools you need to reinvent schools to be places where all students can achieve success! We've been bringing the nation best practice for over 25 years! Register today and experience it for yourself! This conference is an excellent development opportunity for everyone involved in the education and support of students with disabilities. At this conference, we value various, distinct groups coming together to learn and build capacity and collaboration. When/Where:
February 7-8, 2013 8:30am - 5:30pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Denver is 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80207, and it is at the intersection of Quebec Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Contact:
PEAK Parent Center
611 North Weber Street, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-531-9400
Hotline: 1-800-284-0251
Fax: 719-531-9452
e-mail: conference@peakparent.org
AND Monday, January 14, 2013 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
From set up to ideas for classroom use, free, easy-to-use web-based student response apps and programs accessible from iPads, Android tablets, computers and other devices for teaching and assessment will be demonstrated. Learn how to utilize programs (from apps allowing you to run video, sound and drawing tools in a quiz on iPads, to programs that can be run from any and all devices at the same time from the Web) to keep students from falling behind, give them a voice in the classroom discussion, generate reports and monitor progress, even during the classroom lesson. PRESENTER: DAN HERLIHY Is Your Head in the Clouds?? This can be a Good Thing! 90 MINUTES
Thursday, November 8, 2012&nb