June Newsletter

IDEA and Literacy Instruction Webinar
Please join us on June 15, 2005 at 2 PM ET for our upcoming webinar, which will focus on strategies for fostering reading success aligned with IDEA 2004 . Dr. Catherine Christo, from California State University, Sacramento, will facilitate this free online learning opportunity. Everyone is welcome to join and no registration is required. We look forward to seeing you online this month!

Early Reading Assessment
Testing season might be behind you, but it undoubtedly still weighs on educators’ minds. Take some time to review this resource for an overview of the purpose and benefits of early reading assessment, examples of data collection methods, and considerations for selecting a measure for students.

Math Graphic Organizers
This Issue Brief focuses on graphic organizers in mathematics for middle school students with LD. This resource will aid you in learning how to define graphic organizers, becoming acquainted with specific types, and discovering how to use them.

National Center on Student Progress Monitoring
The Center provides information and technical assistance to implement progress monitoring techniques such as curriculum-based measurement. Visit their website for more information about their 2005 Summer Institute and other resources.  Institute registration ends on June 10th!

CITEd to Hold Summer Technology Institute
The Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd) is holding a Summer Institute on August 1 and 2, 2005 at SERESC in Bedford, New Hampshire. The Center is seeking teams of educators from districts, schools, and SEA’s to attend the Institute and join in an exploration of Making Technology Count for K-8 Mathematics. Register by June 15 for Early Bird rates!

Access Center – Addison Northeast Supervisory Union Collaboration
During the 2004-05 school year, the Access Center partnered with Addison Northeast Supervisory Union (ANESU) in Bristol, VT to support the district-wide implementation of differentiated instruction. This partnership has included work with a district steering committee, the distribution of monthly digests, and on-going professional development. In May 2005, staff from the Access Center and ANESU presented their work at the 10 th Conference on Inclusive Schools and Communities for Children & Youth in Tarrytown, NY.

Special Connections
This national project out of the University of Kansas develops t ools and resources that support students with special needs in general education settings. Special Connections focus on four main areas, including instruction, assessment, behavior plans, and collaboration.

Universal Design Applied to Large Scale Assessments
Developed by Martha Thurlow and others at the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO), this synthesis report explores the design and use of universally designed assessments.

States to Have Added Flexibility Under NCLB
Under a policy announced by the U.S. Department of Education, states will have additional alternatives and flexibility in testing students with disabilities if they can show they are raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap. The Department has issued a press release, fact sheet, and other resources.

Kame’enui Named New Commissioner for Special Education Research
Edward Kame'enui, an international authority on learning problems and special education, has been named the nation's first Commissioner for Special Education Research. He will lead a newly established office within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the Education Department.

ED to Hold Hearings for Input on Proposed IDEA Regulations
The U.S. Department of Education has scheduled a series of public meetings in June and July seeking input on proposed IDEA regulations.  The proposed regulations are expected to be issued shortly.