In this issue you will Find Topics On:
Allergies and Asthma
Get a plan in place to manage allergies or asthma.
Food allergies and asthma can be challenging to manage, especially when your child is at school. You may find these resources helpful for putting together a plan for managing these conditions both at school and at home.
What is an allergic reaction to food?
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/understanding/Pages/allergicRxn.aspx
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Visit here and find a comprehensive guide to conditions and treatments, written and reviewed by the world’s leading authorities in allergy, asthma, immune deficiencies, and other immunologic disorders. Info in Spanish, too!
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments.aspx
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
AAFA has a national network of 9 regional chapters that provide a variety of services, educational programs, and support. It also has an information-rich website that includes info in Spanish.
Life-threatening food allergies in schools and child care settings.
Here’s a practical guide to help parents work with care providers, staff, and children regarding life-threatening food allergies. Includes sample letters to school officials and safe lunch ideas. https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/cpa/premium-publications/food_allergies.pdf
Just for kids.
Find games, puzzles, videos, and more to help you learn about managing your allergies and asthma.
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/just-for-kids.aspx
Calls to Participate
National Education Startup Challenge Invites Youth to Propose Education Solutions
https://nesc.challenge.gov/
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a National Education Startup Challenge, inviting students in middle school, high school, and college and out-of-school youth to develop innovative solutions to improve education. Youth from across the country are encouraged to submit a business plan and a video pitch for a for-profit or non-profit startup that includes an innovative strategy, product, or service designed to address one of these four topics: Middle Grades Matter; Skills, Skills, Skills; Education Pays; and Finishing Faster. Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2012.
The 4th Annual HCTRC Research Symposium Seeks Abstracts
https://uncodum.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_77A6vbYjaM6KMpS
The Health Care Transition Research Consortium (HCTRC) and GotTransition – the National Health Care Transition Center, in collaboration with the Chronic Illness & Disease Conference, Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care, seek abstracts for presentation at the 4th Annual HCTRC Research Symposium, October 17, 2012, in Houston Texas. This research symposium invites researchers, clinicians, consumers and families to share their health care transition expertise and experience; foster the development of this emerging and growing field of science and specialty practice; and facilitate networking among colleagues and consumers. They are interested in receiving abstracts addressing: Young Adult/Parent Experience, Quality Improvement/Program Design, Education, Research/Outcomes, Service Models, and Other (i.e. abstract category not listed; thematic presentation involving several presenters) Submission deadline: May 31, 2012.
Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (VCU RRTC) Online Course: Customized Employment
https://www.worksupport.com/training/webcourses/ce.cfm
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (VCU RRTC) offers an online course in “Customized Employment,” March 26-April 23, 2012 Customized employment uses a flexible blend of strategies, services, supports, and funds to facilitate employment outcomes for job seekers with complex needs through negotiated employment relationships. Topics Covered: Overview of customized employment, Ways to get to know the job seeker, Strategies to find jobs & Blending supports and funds. Course Credit: Individuals who complete the course may earn 1.6 CEUs, 16 CRCs and a Certificate of Course Completion.
Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (VCU RRTC) Online Course: Personalized Job Development
https://www.worksupport.com/training/webcourses/job_development.cfm
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (VCU RRTC) offers an online course in “Personalized Job Development,” March 19-April 16, 2012. Job development is the process of locating and creating work opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This is achieved by earning an opportunity to engage an employer and then earning a commitment to meet, interview, and hire a specific job seeker. Topics Covered: Core Values, Strategies for Personal Improvement, Contact & Presentation Strategies. Individuals who complete the course may earn 1.6 CEUs, 16 CRCs and a Certificate of Course Completion.
2012 Southwest Conference on Disability Seeks Proposals
https://cdd.unm.edu/swconf
The 2012 Southwest Conference on Disability seeks proposals on the theme “Access For All: To Boldly Go Where Everybody Else Has Gone Before,” with emphasis on: Access To Health, Physical Access, Access To Employment, Access To Technology, and Access To Behavioral Health Through High-Quality Service Partnerships. The conference will be held October 9-12, 2012. Deadline for proposals: May 11, 2012.
Participants Sought for Survey on Mentoring Services for High-Risk Youth
www.surveymonkey.com/s/YouthMentoringSurvey
The National Mentoring Partnership, Global Youth Justice, and the National Partnership for Juvenile Services are conducting a survey to improve the design and delivery of mentoring services for youth at risk for delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, truancy, and other problem behaviors. Results will be included in a research report and in training and technical assistance materials, which will be free and available online. The survey is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Mentoring and juvenile justice professionals working in detention, corrections, probation, dependency courts, delinquency courts, and teen court/youth court diversion programs are encouraged to participate.
America’s Promise Launches Grad Nation Communities
https://www.americaspromise.org/gradnationcommunities
America’s Promise Alliance is drafting more communities into its campaign to boost high school graduation. The Alliance recently launched Grad Nation Communities, part of the Grad Nation Campaign, a 10-year initiative to mobilize all Americans to take action to end the high school dropout crisis and better prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce. The Alliance invites communities to join this network of cities and towns that will work to improve high school graduation rates by focusing on the local schools that are most in need of improvement.
College Choice
Maximizing the College Choice Process to Increase Fit and Match for Underserved Students
Brief
https://tinyurl.com/7pyv9ct
Gaps in college enrollment and completion rates for underserved students are partly due to attending postsecondary institutions that are not a “good match” for their social, academic, and financial needs. Thus, these students are less likely to perform well and earn a degree. Gauging this match is part of the complex and often confusing college choice process, requiring that students and parents be knowledgeable about selecting an institution that is well-suited to their needs. In a new brief, “Maximizing the College Choice Process to Increase Fit & Match for Underserved Students,” the Pathways to College Network, along with the National College Access Network (NCAN), synthesizes research on the college choice process for low-income, first-generation, and minority students. Available in pdf (367 KB, 11 pp).
Common Core Standards
Achieve and Education First Release Common Core State Standards Tool to Assist States in Implementing the CCSS
Self-Assessment Tool
https://www.parcconline.org/CommonCoreImplementationRubricTool
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide states for the first time a common platform on which they can collaborate and compare achievement, and students from coast to coast will be held to standards designed to prepare them for college and careers. But success in each state will hinge on implementation: strategies used to improve instruction in every classroom, tiered supports provided to all students, policy changes to promote coherence and alignment, and commitment to building and maintaining widespread understanding of and support for the new standards. To assist states in gauging the strength of their implementation plans and to illustrate how to improve them, Education First and Achieve have partnered on the development of a “Common Core State Standards Implementation Rubric and Self-Assessment Tool.” This tool sets a standard for a strong state role, provides examples to help state leaders, and profiles some promising state approaches.
Diabetes
And while we’re talking about diabetes…
Approximately 215,000 children under the age of 20 have diabetes. The disorder falls under the IDEA category of “other health impairment” (OHI). Find out more with NICHCY’s fact sheets on OHI and on diabetes, which will connect you with the movers and shakers out there and tons of on-target information.
About other health impairment.
https://nichcy.org/disability/specific/ohi/
About diabetes.
https://nichcy.org/disability/specific/ohi-diabetes/
Helping the student with diabetes succeed: A guide for school personnel.
This comprehensive resource guide helps students with diabetes, their health care team, school staff, and parents work together to provide optimal diabetes management in the school setting. https://ndep.nih.gov/media/youth_schoolguide.pdf
Early Intervention
Develop Healthy Eating Habits offers some great tips and resources on how to get started early with developing good eating habits.
https://tinyurl.com/7mj2wwg
Nutrition tips and tools for raising healthy little ones.
Optimal nutrition in early childhood not only supports children’s growth and development, it can also establish healthy eating habits that extend into later childhood and beyond.
https://medical.gerber.com/nutritioneducation/Articles.aspx?articleId=1E341AFF-C8D7-4CBA-83EA-5B027517A690
Nutrition for children with special health care needs.
This handbook provides practical information regarding common nutrition and feeding problems of infants and young children with special health care needs resulting from a disability or other cause.
https://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/grow5-x.pdf
Video | Ounce of prevention encourages healthy eating habits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IvNJQpoNeg
Training activity: Participation-based IFSP outcomes and IEP goals.
This training activity is designed to support participants’ understanding of the criteria needed to develop and write high-quality, participation-based IFSP outcomes and IEP goals.
https://www.nectac.org/pubs/pubs.asp#rating-ifsp-iep-training.pdf
Play with puzzles and develop a math wiz.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers indicates that puzzle play may help young children to develop better spatial skills.
https://tinyurl.com/88obltn
Tips to help your late-talker develop speech and language skills.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders.
Of the almost 24 million Americans who suffer from an eating disorder, 95% are between 12 and 25 years old. Shocking, isn’t it? Adults can play key roles in addressing eating issues and disorders among children, primarily adolescence. The Rise of Eating Issues and Disorders offers tips on how to prevent the development of these problems.
https://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/_issues2012/2012_eatingdisorders.html
Where to turn for help with eating disorders?
Here are some resources that families may be find helpful.
National Eating Disorders Association
Lots of info here! Videos, too, Spanish resources, and a Parent Toolkit.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/index.php
Something Fishy: Website on eating disorders.
Learn more about anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Info in English and in Spanish.
https://www.something-fishy.org/
When a student has an eating disorder.
Learn the signs, find do’s and don’ts, connect with educator guidelines, incorporate diversity in your prevention efforts, and download the Educator Toolkit. All from the National Eating Disorders Association.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/educators-and-coaches.php
Forgotten Youth
Opportunity Road: The Promise and Challenge of America’s Forgotten Youth (January 2012)
Report
https://www.civicenterprises.net/reports%20-%20social%20mobility.html
“Opportunity Road: The Promise and Challenge of America’s Forgotten Youth” is a report based on a national survey and additional research. It focuses on understanding how young people between ages 16 and 24 become disconnected from school and work and what challenges they face in trying to reconnect. The report was produced by Civic Enterprises & America’s Promise Alliance in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and James Irvine Foundation, and informed by a Practitioner Advisory Committee from the Forum for Youth Investment, Jobs for the Future, and YouthBuild USA.
High School Toolkit
High School Toolkit
Toolkit
https://tinyurl.com/7qn9k3a
The Center for Public Education offers answers for such questions as “What keeps kids in school?,” “What makes graduates college- or career-ready?,” and “Has it gotten harder to get into college?” in their High School Toolkit, an interactive resource that allows users to browse through their resources on high school by specific question or by type of resource.
Nutrition
It’s national nutrition month! What does it mean to “eat right?”
March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign is focused on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
https://www.eatright.org/kids/
Start your day right during national breakfast week.
March 5-9 is National Breakfast Week, the culmination of “School Breakfast – Go for the Gold” campaign running from January to March 2012. The campaign highlights how eating a healthy balanced breakfast at school helps students shine. And it teaches students the importance of eating healthy and being active.
https://www.schoolnutrition.org/Level2_NSBW2012.aspx?id=15458
What’s on your plate? You get to choose!
If you’re looking for a treasure trove of resources on food, sample menus and recipes, online tools that children (and adults) can use to create and track a personalized eating and exercising plan, and much more… this site is definitely a great place to come.
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html
What responsibilities does the school have when children have special dietary needs?
Here are three resources that will tell you:
Accommodating children with special dietary needs in the school nutrition programs.
For school food service managers and parent(s), this guidance describes some of the factors that must be considered in the early phases of planning when a child with special dietary needs comes to school. Information is also presented on how to handle situations that may arise and offers advice about such issues as funding and liability.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/guidance/special_dietary_needs.pdf
Meeting children’s special food and nutrition needs in child nutrition programs.
This online training module is designed to help school nutrition staff understand and apply the laws and regulations that require accommodations for children with special food and nutrition needs; and to familiarize staff with special needs frequently seen in schools.
https://www.nfsmi.org/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=89
Meal substitutions for medical or dietary reasons.
Children being punished for being sick? That does not sound right.
Laws that require children to attend school for a certain number of days per year are designed to deter truancy. But, as When Schools Punish Sick Children Who Miss School: A Game Plan points out, children with chronic illness or injury are not truant!
https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/?p=57
Teachers! Use your lessons to develop healthy students.
Kids Health in the Classroom provides free health-related lesson plans and resources for all grade levels.
https://classroom.kidshealth.org/
Pica
Pica. What you need to know.
Pica is the urge to eat non-foods such as sand, clay, ice, or chalk. The Friendship Circle Blog summarizes key information on pica and how it may affect you and your child.
https://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/02/14/what-you-need-to-know-about-pica/
RTI
RTI and Classroom and Schoolwide Learning Supports: A Guide for Teachers and Learning Support Staff
Guide
https://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/rtiguide.pdf
This guide to Response to Intervention (RTI) is designed to broaden perspectives of response to intervention, provide frameworks for contextualizing the work in classrooms and schoolwide, and generally enhance practices. It is divided into three units: framing RTI in the classroom, pursuing RTI sequentially and effectively, and RTI as one strategy in a comprehensive system of student and learning supports. Available in pdf (443 KB, 80 pp).
Reading Comprehension and learning Disabilities
Improving the Reading Comprehension of Students with Learning Disabilities
Abstract
https://nichcy.org/research/summaries/abstract82
“Reading Comprehension Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities” summarizes the major points of the Berkeley, Scruggs, & Mastropieri meta-analysis of research conducted between 1995 and 2006. This meta-analysis synthesizes findings of 40 studies for improving the reading comprehension of students with learning disabilities.
Recent Topics in Education
Education Week Spotlights
Briefs
https://www.edweek.org/ew/marketplace/products/edweek_spotlights.html?cmp=EB-SPT-020912
“Education Week Spotlights” contain essential news and commentary on talked-about topics in education. Topics in the latest Spotlights include bullying, school improvement, personalized learning, professional development, and data-driven decision making.
Teaching Quality
Straight Talk on Teaching Quality: Six Game-Changing Ideas and What to Do About Them
Guide
https://annenberginstitute.org/VUE/wp-content/pdf/StraightTalk.pdf
Brown University’s Annenberg Institute for School Reform has published “Straight Talk on Teaching Quality: Six Game-Changing Ideas and What to Do About Them,” a guide prepared for the Schott Foundation for Public Education, on six strategies for improving teaching effectiveness. The strategies reflect the experiences of school districts, researchers, parents and community members, and the Institute’s survey of the field. The guide supports continuing efforts to strengthen accountability, but finds that replacing current systems with equally ineffective ones that rank teachers based on narrow standardized test scores will not transform teaching and learning. Instead, evaluation systems should identify excellence and help teachers improve their practice by considering multiple measures of effectiveness. Available in pdf (512 KB, 32 pp).
