In this issue you will find resources in the following areas:
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Accommodations
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Adaptive Physical Education
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Award Opportunities
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Behavior Management
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Disability Etiquette
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Documentation Suggestions
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Early Childhood/Early Intervention
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IDEA
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Parent Conference Information
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Reading Disabilities
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Research in Special Education
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Sexuality and Developmental Disability
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Survey Participants Requested
Accommodations
Accommodating students with psychiatric disabilities.
And here are 13 very good pages for teachers.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/21506119/Accommodating-Students-With-Psychiatric-Disabilities
Adaptive Physical Education
Physical Education and Adapted PE
If your child cannot be included in regular physical education, an effort must be made to involve him using supplementary aids and services or through adapted physical education.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/pe.index.htm
Award Opportunities
Astronauts Memorial Foundation: Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award
https://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award rewards excellence in the development and delivery of technology programs in the classroom with students, or in the professional development of teachers in the school or district. Maximum award: $1,000, recognition at the awards ceremony at the 27th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Eligibility: K-12 educators and district-level personnel in the field of Educational Technology. Deadline: January 15, 2011.
Earthwatch: Education Fellowships
https://www.earthwatch.org/aboutus/education/edopp/edfelfund/
The Earthwatch Institute offers educators fully funded fellowships for hands-on learning with leading scientists doing field research and conservation on one of 130 projects. Earthwatch’s Education Fellowships are national in scope, and supported by a wide range of businesses, foundations, and individuals. Maximum award: full cost of expedition, including all research costs, meals, housing, on-site travel, etc. Eligibility: K-12 classroom educators of any subject(s) from public or private schools nationwide. Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Intel Schools of Distinction Awards
https://www.intel.com/about/corporateresponsibility/education/soda/index.htm#
Every year, Intel honors K-12 schools in the U.S. demonstrating excellence in math and science education through innovative teaching and learning environments, developing an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks put forth by national mathematics and science content standards. Up to three schools at each level (elementary, middle, and high school) will be named as finalists in the math and science categories. Each school will receive a cash grant of $5,000 from the Intel Foundation and a trip to Washington DC for a four-member team from their school and district. Six winners will be selected from the 18 finalists and receive a $10,000 cash grant, and products and services from program sponsors. One of the six will be selected as the “Star Innovator” and will receive a $25,000 grant. The program is open to K-12 public, private, charter, and parochial schools in the United States, Department of Defense Dependents schools, and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Eligibility is limited to accredited schools that are publicly funded and/or not-for-profit. Deadline for applications: February 17, 2011.
Lexus/Scholastic: Eco Challenge
https://www.scholastic.com/lexus/
The Lexus Eco Challenge program is designed to inspire and empower middle and high school students to learn about the environment and take action to improve it. Maximum award: $30,000 in scholarships and grants. Eligibility: middle and high school teams comprised of five to 10 students and one teacher advisor. Deadline: Challenge One (Land/Water): November 3, 2010; Challenge Two (Air/Climate): January 19, 2011.
Best Buy: Teach@15 Award
https://www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/teach_awards.htm
Best Buy’s Teach@15 Award program improves classroom learning by helping schools (grades 7-12) meet technology needs. A teen member (age 13-18) who is a registered member on www.at15.com can nominate his/her school to win a Teach@15 Award. Eligible are accredited, nonprofit junior or senior public, private, parochial, magnet, and charter high schools in the U.S. serving any grades 7-12.
Campbell’s: Labels for Education
https://www.labelsforeducation.com/about-the-program.aspx
The Campbell’s, Inc., Labels for Education Program gives schools free educational equipment in exchange for labels from Campbell products. For more than 30 years, Labels for Education has been awarding free educational equipment to schools in exchange for proofs of purchase from the Campbell family of brands.
Federal Student Aid – Grant Program (English)
https://tinyurl.com/yfbe5tb
From Disability.gov, the English-language version of this fact sheet provides an overview of the major federal student aid grant programs. The federal government provides grant funds for students attending colleges, including career colleges and universities. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Available in pdf (42.4 KB, 1 p).
Federal Student Aid – Grant Program (Spanish)
https://tinyurl.com/282krpk
From Disability.gov, the Spanish-language version of this fact sheet provides an overview of the major federal student aid grant programs. The federal government provides grant funds for students attending colleges, including career colleges and universities. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Available in pdf (145 KB, 1 p).
Funding Education Beyond High School – Federal Student Aid at a Glance
https://tinyurl.com/2bzq9sa
A quick reference guide and Federal Student Aid Summary Chart that describes various federal student aid programs, who may be eligible, and how to apply.
On Line Compilations of Scholarships for Students with Disabilities from Michigan State University
https://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3disable.htm
A comprehensive list of scholarships offered to students with disabilities located on the Michigan State University Libraries website.
Do Something Invites Applications for Six Flags Friends Scholarships
https://www.dosomething.org/grants/sixflags/scholarships
Do Something has teamed up with Six Flags Friends to award college scholarships to young leaders who are taking action to make their community (locally or globally) a better place. Scholarships will be awarded based on past, current, and planned action in the community as well as the applicant’s passion, commitment, and proven leadership skills. Six scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded.
NEA Learning and Leadership Grant
https://tinyurl.com/yacbb5b
NEA’s Learning & Leadership grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for two purposes: grants to individuals to fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; and grants to groups to fund college study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment.
Powered by Service Offers Funding to Seed Youth-Led Service Projects
https://tinyurl.com/y8l7j44
Grants will be awarded to young people around the world who are conducting service projects that encourage youth to become involved in addressing problems facing their communities. Grants presently are being accepting only from Atlanta GA, Detroit MI, Los Angeles CA, Milwaukee WI, New Orleans LA and New York NY, but other communities will be added at intervals. Deadline: Open.
Travelocity’s Travel for Good Volunteer Travel Opportunities
https://tinyurl.com/2v7sh2
Travelocity’s Travel for Good offers funding quarterly for its Change Ambassadors Grant to help support Americans who wish to travel to participate in volunteer opportunities (volunteer vacations). Two grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to individuals or groups going on volunteer vacations; applicants must demonstrate a previous commitment to volunteering and financial need. Deadline: not applicable.
Financial Aid On Disabilityinfo.Gov
https://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=84
This Web site includes links to scholarship applications for students with various disabilities for graduate and undergraduate as well as vocational studies.
Got Grants?
https://www.teachersourcebook.org/tsb/articles/2009/03/16/02grants.h02.html
Successful education grant writers offer advice on how to access teacher-learning funds.
Michigan State Library of Financial Aid
https://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3disable.htm
Michigan State’s comprehensive list of financial aid resources for students with disabilities can be found at their Web site.
Scholarships4students.Com
https://www.scholarships4students.com/special_scholarships.htm
Scholarships4students’s Web site includes a list of scholarships for students with disabilities, by disability category.
National Scholarship Providers Association
https://www.scholarshipproviders.org
The National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) web site offers information on NSPA scholarships for Latino students and for students formerly in foster care. A new NPSA product, the Scholarship Data Standard, allows students to complete an online scholarship application and then re-use the information with other scholarship providers without retyping their data.
Charles Lafitte Foundation: Grants for Education & Child Advocacy
https://www.charleslafitte.org/education.html
The Charles Lafitte Foundation Grants Program helps groups and individuals foster lasting improvement on the human condition by providing support to education, children’s advocacy, medical research, and the arts. Maximum award: varies. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: rolling.
Plum Grants
https://www.dosomething.org/programs/plum-grant-guidelines
Individuals who have recently created a sustainable community action project, program or organization and need $500 to further the growth and success of the program are eligible to apply for a Plum Youth Grant. Plum grants are given out weekly. Deadline: None.
Nonprofit Music Programs
https://www.guitarcentermusicfoundation.org/grants/index.cfm?sec=info
The Guitar Center Music Foundation’s mission is to aid nonprofit music programs across America that offer music instruction so that more people can experience the joys of making music. Maximum Award: $5000. Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing and sustainable music programs across the United States that provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. Deadline: N/A.
Live Monarch Educator Outreach Program
https://www.lmf-educator-award.com/index.html
The Live Monarch Foundation Educator Outreach Program provides funding for U.S. teachers to enroll in the National Campaign to bring monarch butterflies into the classroom. This program provides education and materials to strengthen the monarch’s 3,000-mile migratory route within North America by creating self-sustaining butterfly gardens and refuges. Materials will be provided for each participant to raise a virtual butterfly and start a real butterfly garden with professional instruction on each level of its maintenance and care. Maximum Award: n/a. Eligibility: teachers and classrooms in areas on the monarch migratory route. Deadline: rolling.
Disaboom Scholarship Directory
https://www.disaboom.com/scholarships
Disaboom recently launched a scholarship directory for students with disabilities, listing over 125 scholarships.
Federal Student Aid Grant Program Fact Sheet
https://tinyurl.com/yfbe5tb
Disability.Gov has created a fact sheet that provides an overview of the major federal student aid grant programs. The federal government provides grant funds for students attending colleges, including career colleges and universities.
Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. (A Spanish version is at: https://tinyurl.com/yz2zheg.) Available in pdf (1 page, 164 KB).
Funding Education Beyond High School
https://tinyurl.com/yk7uot7
The US Department of Education’s Guide to Federal Student Aid (2009-2010) provides information for students and families on applying for federal student aid to pay for post-secondary education. This guide explains the application process, the various federal loans, grants, and work-study programs available, and how to apply for them. Education creates opportunities and is an important step toward success. Available in pdf (64 pages, 2.95 MB).
NASFAA and Casey Family programs: Guide to Financial Aid Assistance to Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/ProvidingEffectiveFinancialAid.htm
This guide provides information for those who help youth from foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth to secure financial aid for postsecondary education or training programs. It describes how to respond to new FAFSA questions 55-60 that will determine federal financial aid status for these students. A section on sensitive communications is also included. This guide will be useful for financial aid professionals, independent living coordinators, guidance counselors, financial aid counselors, social workers and advocates who are helping youth to secure the maximum allowable financial aid.
Scholarships and Internships for Latino Students with Disabilities
https://www.proyectovision.net/english/opportunities/scholarships.html
The World Institute on Disability (WID) has a five-year grant to establish the National Technical Assistance Center for Latinos with Disabilities living in the United States, through Proyecto Vision. Proyecto Vision’s website has a list of scholarship opportunities for college students who are Latino and who are living with disability.
Behavior Management
Choosing your battles: Targeting behavior problems worth fighting for.
Children with special needs sometimes present parents with so many opportunities for behavioral correction that, if they pursued every one, children would never leave the time-out chair. How do parents let them know the rules are important, and still use discretion when it comes to discipline?
https://specialchildren.about.com/od/behaviorissues/a/battles.htm
Assessing Self-Regulation in Children and Youth
Being able to suppress impulsive behavior and to adjust behavior as appropriate has been linked to positive outcomes for children and adolescents. This brief defines self-regulation and why it is important, provides three measures of self-regulation skills of children and teens, and includes tips for enhancing self-regulation skills in out-of-school time programs.
https://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2010_10_05_RB_AssesSelfReg.pdf
Assessing Stress in Children and Youth
This brief identifies characteristics of youth who may be particularly vulnerable to stress, provides two scales to measure stress among adolescents, and includes tips and resources for helping youth deal with stress.
https://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2010_10_05_RB_AssessingStress.pdf
Disability Etiquette
Here’s a 56-page, easy-to-read, text-light resource from the United Spinal Association. It discusses many different disabilities and offers very good suggestions on disability etiquette.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/6608875/Disability-Etiquette
Documentation Suggestions
Paper Trails: How Good Is Your Documentation?
The success of your child’s education may depend on how well you document what happens during the IEP process.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/10/nl.1123.htm
Student data privacy.
Basic Concepts and Definitions for Privacy and Confidentiality in Student Education Records discusses basic concepts and definitions that establish a common set of terms related to the protection of personally identifiable information, especially in education records in the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). A product of the National Center for Education Statistics at the Institute of Education Sciences.
https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2011601
Early Childhood/Early Intervention
Learning to talk and listen.
An oral language resource for early childhood caregivers.
https://lincs.ed.gov/premium-publications/pdf/LearningtoTalkandListen.pdf
Make time to talk.
Here are some language building tips for center-based and home-based child care providers.
https://lincs.ed.gov/premium-publications/pdf/language_tipsheet.pdf
CONNECT Module 4: Family-Professional Partnerships.
Learn about building trusting family-professional partnerships when working with families of young children.
https://community.fpg.unc.edu/connect-modules/learners/module-4
Webinar series on the social emotional development of young children.
This series was developed in response to the emerging body of research related to the importance of social emotional development as a stepping stone to positive outcomes for young children. The series was developed collaboratively by the IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA), the IDEA 619 Consortium, and the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI). It’s relevant to individuals who serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities.
https://www.ideainfanttoddler.org/webinars.htm
Addressing the mental health needs of young children in the child welfare system: What every policymaker should know.
From the National Center for Children in Poverty, this issue brief explores what we currently know about the prevalence of young children (ages birth to 5) in the child welfare system, how maltreatment or neglect affects their development, and the services currently offered versus needed for these young children.
https://www.nccp.org/premium-publications/pub_968.html
Preparing professionals to work in early childhood.
In 2009, NAEYC (the National Association for the Education of Young Children) revised its Standards for Programs that Prepare Early Childhood Professionals. Clinical field experiences are emphasized for teachers working with children birth through age 8.
https://www.naeyc.org/newsroom/pressreleases/NCATEPanelReport
Making life easier.
That’s the name of the new series launched by TACSEI, the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children. Find helpful tips on how to make often challenging events easier to navigate and even enjoyable. Topics include Bedtime and Naptime, Running Errands, and Diapering.
https://www.challengingbehavior.org//do/resources/making_life_easier.html
IDEA
Celebrating 35 years of IDEA.
Can you believe that it’s been 35 years since our nation’s special education law was first passed? The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is ready to celebrate! Find out what’s up, at:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/index.html
Parent Conference Information
Parent-teacher conference tipsheets | Available in Spanish, too!
Face-to-face interactions between parents and teachers are still the cornerstone of school family engagement efforts. These newly revised tip sheets from the Harvard Family Research Project provide key strategies for both parents and teachers to walk into conferences informed and prepared, in order to ensure the most successful outcomes. A tipsheet aimed at school principals also outlines how school administrators can support parents and teachers to that end.
https://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/parent-teacher-conference-tip-sheets-hojas-de-consejos-para-las-reuniones-de-padres-y-maestros
Reading Disabilities
Dealing with reading disabilities in children while teaching.
Here’s a 4-page, easy-to-ready synopsis and suggestions for teachers.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/19255079/Dealing-With-Reading-Disabilities-in-Children-While-Teaching
Research in SpecialEducation
Special Education Research: Where to Start?
For all the stakeholders out there who are teaching in classrooms, administrating in schools, getting trained to work in schools, or who just want to know where to start looking for research in special education that will help guide their work or study or advocacy on behalf of children, this update’s for you.
https://www.nichcy.org/Research/Basics/Pages/Start.aspx
What Works? Can We Say?
After these many years of special education research, what do we know about effective practices in….you name it, there are so many aspects involved in addressing the needs of the little ones with disabilities and in educating the bigger ones who grow older every day.
https://www.nichcy.org/Research/Basics/Pages/WhatWorks.aspx
Review of the research literature on serving adults with learning disabilities.
https://lincs.ed.gov/premium-publications/pdf/L2ALiteratureReview09.pdf
Sexuality and Developmental Disability
A guide for parents.
This 15-pager comes from the Calgary Health Region.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/20155763/Sexuality-Developmental-Disability
Survey Participants Requested
University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development Seeks Input on the Assistive Technology Needs of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6QXRRS7
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Institute for Human Development is looking for people who wish to use and/or are currently using assistive technology to take a brief survey on their assistive technology needs.
Part B and Part C SPP/APR 2010 Dispute Resolution Indicator Analyses
https://www.directionservice.org/cadre/SPPAPR2010DRindicatoranalyses.cfm
CADRE (National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education) has composed the Dispute Resolution Chapters from OSEP/TA&D projects’ Annual Performance Reports Analyses, summarizing the dispute resolution portions of the State Part B and Part C Annual Performance Reports submitted February 1, 2010. Each summary covers current and past Indicator performance, five year trends in the use of dispute resolution options, and suggestions for improving state dispute resolution systems. CADRE would appreciate feedback on the chapters. They are posted on the CADRE web site, along with a link to a short SurveyMonkey evaluation.
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/survey/survey_landed.html
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) seeks input from individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across the country in considering future plans and how ADD can best meet the diverse needs of these groups. ADD seeks to use its resources to focus on the most pressing and relevant concerns of the developmental disabilities community, and is looking for their thoughts regarding the focus of future Projects of National Significance (PNS). The purpose of PNS is to: create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community life; and support the development of national and state policies to reinforce and promote the self-determination, independence, productivity, inclusion, and integration of individuals with developmental disabilities into all facets of community life.
The Arc FINDS Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TheArcFinds2010
The Arc FINDS (Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports) survey is now online and available to families, individuals, and self-advocates. They invite individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, families, and caregivers across the nation to share their opinions on a variety of issues relating to disability. There is no cost to taking the survey. (Additional information on Arc is on their general website, https://www.thearc.org.)
New Videos Encourages Special Ed Students to Participate in State Outcome Survey
https://www.psocenter.org/data_collection.html
To help educators improve services for students with disabilities who are still in school, every state is conducting a survey to find out what students who received special education services are doing one year after leaving high school. To help increase response rates, the National Post-School Outcomes Center has announced the launch of “Be a Superstar – Take the Survey.” These YouTube videos were designed to encourage students and families to complete post-school outcomes surveys. Prepared in collaboration with PACER Center, versions are available for youth and parents in both English and Spanish. (The survey can also be accessed from https://www.youtube.com/pacercenter.)
PACER Survey Parent Survey
https://www.fastfamilysupport.org
Parents or primary caregivers of young people with disabilities 12-22 years old are invited to take part in a national research study by completing the National Family Support Survey, conducted by the FAST Project. Answers to the questions on the National Family Support Survey are confidential and will help the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, parent centers, and researchers understand the information and supports families need to prepare for moving into adulthood. This information may help to inform program development for youth with disabilities in the future. The survey is available in Spanish also.
America’s Promise Alliance/AT&T: My Idea Grant Program
https://tinyurl.com/2vwcjlj
America’s Promise Alliance and AT&T are looking for energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to help make this country a Grad Nation through the My Idea Grants program. My Idea will empower young people to examine the high school dropout crisis and help their peers graduate on time, as well as improve outcomes for themselves and their community. National grants of $10,000-$20,000 will be awarded to 20-25 youth for the best ideas submitted to help increase a community’s graduation rate anywhere in the United States. Additional opportunities are available for young people living in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland, and Washington, D.C.
Peer Reviewers Needed at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
https://opeweb.ed.gov/frs
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), is seeking peer reviewers (field readers) for its discretionary grant program application reviews. The application review process involves a reader orientation, reading and evaluation of applications, and discussions with other panelists. Apply on-line to become a reader for the OPE grant program.
The Gateway Project
https://www.thegatewayproject.org – The Gateway Project, a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), which is itself a collaboration between Oregon Health & Science University, Portland State University, and the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, aims to serve as a gateway to research committed to the values of inclusion, respect, accessibility and relevance. The Gateway Project is recruiting participants on the autistic spectrum, and participants with and without disabilities for a series of continuing Internet-based research studies on topics such as health care, well-being, and problem solving.
