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Today, the Obama Administration outlined how states can get relief from provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – or No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – in exchange for serious state-led efforts to close achievement gaps, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all students are on track to graduate college- and career-ready. “To help states, districts and schools that are ready to move forward with education reform, our administration will provide flexibility from the law in exchange for a real commitment to undertake change. The purpose is not to give states and districts a reprieve from accountability, but rather to unleash energy to improve our schools at the local level,” President Obama said. What this means for you:   For Teachers: A collaborative learning culture where teachers can target instruction towards the needs of students and offer a well-rounded curriculum. Fair and responsible evaluations that are based on multiple measures including peer review, principal observation, and classroom work.  For Principals: Greater flexibility to tailor solutions to the unique educational challenges of their students and recognition for progress and performance.  For Parents: Accurate and descriptive information about their children’s progress and honest accountability that recognizes and rewards success – where schools fall short – targeted and focused strategies for the students most at risk.  For Students: A system that measures student growth and critical thinking to inspire better teaching and greater student engagement across a well-rounded curriculum. For more information on how this flexibility package may affect you, read our blog post: What NCLB Flexibility Means for You

Click here for registration materials What: It’s time to register for the 14th Annual Montana Educator Forum. The forum is an outstanding opportunity for Montana educators and leaders to come together to discuss important issues affecting classrooms and schools in Montana. Sponsored by the Montana Professional Teaching Foundation, MEA-MFT, School Administrators of Montana (SAM), and the State Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council (CSPAC), the forum is intended to initiate engaging and important conversations between Montana educators and policymakers. Here is what one forum attendee said about the annual forum: “I always leave energized, excited, and enthusiastic about my year.” This year’s forum theme is “Building Relationships That Work.” Strong partnerships between schools and communities and between teachers, administrators, and students are essential for our students’ success. The 2011 Montana Educator Forum will showcase a few of the many examples of key relationships that Montana school districts are engaged in that are creating a bridge to student success. Registration materials are available at: http://www.mea-mft.org/our_foundation/programs/montana_educator_forum.aspx When: September 30, 2011 Where: Red Lion Colonial Inn Helena, MT

Click here to Download Flyer for This Event (pdf file)   What: This group is designed for parents who are interested in adoption, in the process of adopting, those who have newly adopted, and interested others. EQUIP is a structured, psycho-educationally based group lead by alicensed therapist. Each month, we will concentrate on a specific topic relevant to adoption and have time for both teaching and discussion. This group is designed to support those beginning the adoption journey who would like information and the camaraderie of other families at the same early stage in the process. For parents who need the support of other families in dealing with specific challenges usually encountered once their adoptees are settled in (1 year or more into the adoption), we offer the CONNECT group, also available once a month. Please contact Kate Cremer-Vogel* for more information about this option. We hope you’ll join us aswe launch EQUIP for the first season this fall 2011! We look forward to seeing you there! *Please contact Kate Cremer-Vogel at 582-5480 or by email atcremervogel@theglobal.net if you would like more information about this option. When:The second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm  Where:Evangelical Free Church S. 19th St. Room 102Bozeman, MT

Click here to download full flyer with registration information (PDF) What: The Northern Rockies Association for the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind & Visually Impaired is holding its annual conference. Presentations include: Teaching Braille though Arts and Games ~ Jan Zollinger, Distinguished Educators of Blind Children Award, 2004 Stress and the Deaf-Blind Student: Enhancing the Work Environment ~ Robin Greenfield, Coordinator of the Idaho DeafBlind Project Using the Low Vision Assessment Effectively ~ a panel (O&M Specialist; Teacher of the Visually Impaired; etc.) Options for Driving with Optical Devices ~ Dr. Dwight Hansen, Low Vision Specialist Transition and Beyond ~ Dana Ard, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind Assistive Technology for Students with Multiply Impairments-Visual Impairments ~ Nora Jehn, Director of the Idaho Center for Assistive Technology Update on Accessible Technology for the Consumer (IPAD, Magnifiers, Notetaking Devices, Auditory Readers, etc.) Low Vision and Low Vision Devices American Printing House: new math and tactual graphics products Dog Guide Issues Where: Sun Valley Inn Ketchum, Idaho When: October 19-21, 2011

By the time he was 17, Antonio Rocha had bounced among 11 New York City schools and was reading at a first-grade level. It wasn't until he told school officials "I want a lawyer!" that things began to change.

With the help of an advocacy group, Rocha pressured the city to pay for 480 hours of private tutoring, which eventually helped him read at a functional level. Now 20 and working for United Parcel Service, he's one of three people profiled (and the only one comfortable with being identified) in WNYC Radio reporter Beth Fertig's new book, Why Cant U Teach Me 2 Read?.

The ability to self-advocate is important for kids to learn in order to be successful at all stages of their lives. In the past, self-advocacy was a term applied mostly to adults with disabilities, but recently more focus has been placed on teaching this skill to preteens and teenagers.

Click here to download this event's schedule (PDF) Click here to download the registration for this event (DOC) What: A free workshop for teachers, teaching artists, staff at arts organizations and parents When: Saturday, April 16, 2011 8:30am-4:00pm Where: Jefferson School 700 South Ave West Missoula, MT Six (6) Renewal Units from the Montana Office of Public Instruction are available for attending the whole workshop.

Click here to visit the Western Montana CSPD homepage to register What: Want an intriguing conference that will channel you and your students to an invigorating new level, change the current path of your classroom, and set the course for change in your school? Then don't miss the 2011 August Institute. There is something for everyone regardless of how you perceive your classroom technology integration skills and teaching. You’ll leave with new ideas, knowledge of at least one free online application and many techniques to set your students on an exciting path of innovation and self motivation. When: August 8-10, 2011 Where: Missoula, MT

Click here to download the flyer with registration information (PDF) What: What can you do with students who already know much of what you’re about to teach? This hands-on, interactive class will present specific tools that are realistic and effective to challenge gifted learners in a regular classroom. Participants will leave with a “Tool Kit” full of easy-toimplement strategies to nurture and challenge gifted and talented learners including tools for: Identification, Pre-assessment, Curriculum Compacting, Flexible grouping, Learning centers, Open-ended tasks, Product options, Research Independent study, Tiered instruction, Students as producers, And creative thinking and inquiry. Target Audience: K-8 Educators Date: Wednesday & Thursday June 8-9, 2011 Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. daily Site: MSU Northern Hagener Science Center Room 112 Havre, MT

Click here to register for this free webinar What: A growing number of educators around the country are turning to technology and different teaching and learning approaches to give students personalized learning experiences that mirror the customized experiences they take for granted outside of school. To meet students’ individual needs, they are putting in place 1-to-1 computing programs and using online courses and curricula, digital assessments, data tools, and Web-based games for education. Our guests will talk about how to use these tools and approaches to customize education based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. When: Wednesday, April 28, 2011 12:00-1:00pm Mountain (Also available "on demand" anytime 24 hours after the event) Guests: Christina A. Clayton, director virtual learning, Georgia Virtual School. Christopher Rush, co-founder and chief product officer, School of One, New York City. This webinar will be moderated by Michelle R. Davis, senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions.

Click here to register for this event What: Many school districts are focusing on creating more consistency in how they teach literacy to English-language learners across schools. Their efforts include: Reviewing research on best practices for ELLs Beefing up professional development on strategies to reach ELLs, and Creating district wide curriculum that addresses the needs of such students. Such efforts are particularly important as school districts consider how to implement the common core state standards for English-language learners. The Council of the Great City Schools has been a leading organization in advising and supporting school districts to form coherent and workable plans to serve this fast-growing population of students. Our webinar guests will discuss both the research on the most effective approaches to improving literacy for ELLs and how some school districts have tried to carry out those approaches. When: May 4, 2011 12:00 - 1:00pm Mountain

Click here to register for this event What: Social inclusion occurs when individuals and entire communities of people have access to rights, opportunities, and resources that are usually available to members of American society. People with mental health and substance use problems are more  likely to fully recover and rebuild their lives when they have access not only to care and services, but also to social, economic, educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities that most citizens take for granted.  A socially inclusive society also provides opportunities for individuals in recovery to contribute to their communities as peers, employees, parents, residents, students, volunteers, teachers, and active citizens. Social inclusion provides a policy framework to make this vision a reality.  The SAMHSA ADS Center invites you to a FREE teleconference training to learn about three innovative community programs that are improving lives, changing communities, and transforming systems through social inclusion practices. The training will highlight the promising practices of the 2010 Campaign for Social Inclusion Award recipients, including:  SC SHARE’s Dream Team, which is reaching thousands of young people throughout South Carolina through partnerships with key government, faith, and community leaders. The Dream Team uses lived experience to show that there is hope; that a full, productive life can be the expectation; and that recovery is possible.  Heartland Consumer Network’s Poetry for Personal Power, which is changing lives and influencing educational systems by bringing open mic spoken poetry competitions to colleges throughout Missouri. This program is offering young people with mental health and substance use problems the chance to use personal experience and creativity to inspire others.     Advocacy Unlimited, Inc., which developed a 30-minute documentary titled Shining Stars – Young Adults in Recovery to give a voice to young people with mental health and substance use problems who teach about what recovery looks like and the important role all of us play in supporting each other. This program will be featured during a public viewing of the documentary in June at the State Legislative Office Building in Connecticut.    These SAMHSA-supported community-based efforts will demonstrate how social inclusion programs improve lives, communities, and systems. Participants will also learn how they can apply for the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards and become a pioneer for building a socially inclusive America.   Date and Time Monday, May 9, 2011 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain

Click Here to Register for this Webinar What: How do we plan meaningful work experiences for students with disabilities in rural areas? This webinar will address how to gain the most information out of each work experience: how to identify skills, abilities, and support needs that we can assess on each site and new skills and strategies to teach the student. Creative strategies to identify opportunities through networking, tapping into social capital and exploring self-employment will all be shared. When: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 1:00pm - 2:30pm Mountain

Nearly 20 percent of Americans have physical or mental disabilities, yet only a small fraction of medical schools teach students how to talk with disabled patients about their needs.

The most artfully devised curriculum means little to a student whose mind is fixed on last night’s shooting outside or the scary, violent fight between parents that broke out in the kitchen. Brilliant teaching often can’t compete with the sudden loss of a parent or friend. Yet incidents like these reverberate in schools and pose deep challenges to educators.

My name is Ryan Judd and I believe that children with special needs deserve to learn and develop in a fun, creative and motivating atmosphere. I am a board certified music therapist in New Hampshire and have been specializing in working with children with special needs for over 12 years. My mission is to teach parents, educators and therapists how to use music to help children with special needs learn, grow and thrive! 

Title:    “Self-Determination Curriculum and Transition Resources”

The University of Tennessee Center for Literacy, Education & Employment conducts training and technical assistance in delivering a self-determination and career planning curriculum to school systems interested in assisting students self-determine their career planning at the point of transition from school to adult life. The self-determination and career planning approach curriculum is based on the principles of self-determination. Students receive instruction and opportunity to practice self and career discovery. The targeted participants are in an inclusive classroom with both regular and special education teachers co-teaching. The class objectives include providing students decision-making skills to increase self-discovery, planning for career and post-secondary outcomes, and participating in the IEP process.

Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics, will be leading a study among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness training as part of early interventions for children with ASD. Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D. Through a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Grant No. R40MC27706), Weitlauf and colleagues from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) will teach all participating parents to use the Early Start Denver Model, an intervention method aimed at early treatment of ASD.