Week in Review - April 12, 2013

WEEK IN REVIEW

NewNASETPublications and Articles of Interest in Special Education and Disabilities That Were Reported This Week

April 12, 2013 - Vol 9, Issue 15


 

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Dear NASET News,

Welcome toNASET'sWEEK in REVIEWHere, we provide you with the latest publications fromNASETto read and or download, as well as some of the most interesting articles that have happened this week in the field of special education. We hope you enjoy this publication.  Feel free to send us articles for this publication or let us know your thoughts about theWEEK in REVIEWatnews@naset.org.Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,


NASETNews Team


NASET Sponsor - Penn State Online

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OMEGA GAMMA CHI

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Honor Society for Special Education Teachers

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New This Week on NASET

NASET LD Report #15

Accommodations and Modifications: Wait, They're Not the Same?

 

Being able to provide ample opportunities for success to all students requires a clear understanding of the needs of each individual student. Every student has a unique learning style, and some students require more help than others. Students who receive special education services have a plan in place to identify the type of support(s) that's needed. Many students with learning disabilities will receive accommodations and modifications. Although the words are often tossed around throughout schools, many educators do not know the difference between the two terms.  This issue of

NASET'sLD Report
addresses the differences between accommodations and modifications.  Written by Kori Hamilton and Elizabeth Kessler, professional special educator and NICHCY advisor, the article will present a basic overview of accommodations and modifications, and addresses the fundamental differences between the two.

 


To read or download this issue -Click here (login required)
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NASET Q & A Corner #57

Neuropsychological Evaluations

A neuropsychological evaluation is comprehensive battery of tests that provides a detailed picture of a person's aptitude, achievement, and social and emotional status as compared to others at the same stage of development. Only a trained neuropsychologist administers such assessments. The evaluation involves a clinical history and interview, completion of standardized checklists, completion of paper and pencil tasks, hands-on activities, and computer-based tasks. This issue of

NASET'sQ & A Corner
, written by Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., and reprinted with permission by from Doug Goldberg --The Special Education Advisor athttp://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/about-neuropsychological-evaluations/#more-1688will address questions associated with neuropsychological evaluations.

 

To read or download this issue - Click here(login required)

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See NASET's Latest Job Listings


ADHD Seen in 11 percent of Kids as Diagnoses Rise

Nearly one in five high school age boys in the United States and 11 percent of school-age children over all have received a medical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to new data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.These rates reflect a marked rise over the last decade and could fuel growing concern among many doctors that the A.D.H.D. diagnosis and its medication are overused in American children. The figures showed that an estimated 6.4 million children ages 4 through 17 had received an A.D.H.D. diagnosis at some point in their lives, a 16 percent increase since 2007 and a 53 percent rise in the past decade. About two-thirds of those with a current diagnosis receive prescriptions for stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, which can drastically improve the lives of those with A.D.H.D. but can also lead to addiction, anxiety and occasionally psychosis.To read more,click here


Did You Know That....

Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese.

New Study Says 91% Of Autism Studies Using Certain Animal Models Are Statistically Flawed

As last week marked the sixthWorld Autism Awareness Day, families and advocates remember how research has come a long way from thegenetic studiesthat unraveled how mutations in parents could increase risks of the disorder to recentlydebunking the myth that vaccinations lead to autism. One methodical approach that has been key to autism research -- and also spans numerous other scientific fields -- is translational research. Translational research is,according to the National Cancer Institute, when researchers can translate "scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical applications to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality." To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - Arkansas State University

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Teen Punished for Stopping Bullies From Harassing Girl with Special Needs

A Florida high school student made a stand against bullying and is now in the hot seat with school officials. For months, 18-year-old Stormy Rich witnessed a girl with special needs being bullied by her peers on the way to school. "They would be mean to her, tell her she couldn't sit on certain spots on the bus...just because she doesn't understand doesn't mean that should be happening to her," Rich toldWOFL-TV. Rich says she reported the incidents to the bus driver and school officials. When they didn't take action, she stepped in and confronted the bullies; but instead of being praised for her efforts, Rich ended up being labeled as a bully, and herbus-ridingprivileges were revoked. A spokesperson for the school district said, "Two wrongs don't make a right" and that the girl with special needs never complained about being bullied. To read more,click here


Honor Society for Special Education Teachers

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NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET Members

Through an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee.  AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children.

 

For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here

Commentary: Do Charter Schools Serve Students with Special Needs?

Policymakers rightly want to know whether charter schools serve their fair share of students with disabilities. The fairest answer may surprise some people, however. In some cases, charter schools serve the same number of special-needs students as their regular public school peers; in others, as many have charged, charters serve fewer of these students. Certainly, there are elements of special education in the charter school sector that are problematic, but our organizations' recent analysis of New York state's special education enrollment illustrates why these challenges require a more sophisticated approach. To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - Penn State Online

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GEEO Travel Programs for Educators

Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a non-profit organization that runs summer professional development travel programs designed for teachers.

GEEO is offering 23 different travel programs for the summer of 2013: India/Nepal, Italy, Portugal/Spain, Amalfi Coast, Eastern Europe, Budapest to Istanbul, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Comfort Thailand, Thailand/Laos, Cambodia, China, Comfort China, Russia/Mongolia/China, Turkey 15 day, Turkey 8-Day, Kenya/Tanzania, South Africa / Mozambique / Zimbabwe / Botswana, Morocco, Peru, Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. The registration deadline is June 1st, but space is limited and many programs will be full well before the deadline.

Educators have the option to earn graduate school credit and professional development credit while seeing the world. The trips are 8 to 24 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. GEEO provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators and administrators, as well as retired educators. Educators are also permitted to bring along a non-educator guest.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found atwww.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9AM-9PM EST


President Obama Outlines Human Brain-Mapping Initiative

Last Tuesday, President Obama outlined a government-sponsored initiative to map the human brain, casting the proposal as a way to discover new cures for neurological disease and strengthen the economy. "Ideas are what power our economy," Obama said as he announced the proposal from the East Room of the White House. "When we invest in the best ideas before anybody else does, our businesses and our workers can make the best products and deliver the best services before anybody else." The project would use about $100 million in federal money over the next fiscal year to begin a long-term effort to better understand the brain. Those funds will be included in Obama's budget proposal, scheduled for release next week, and would be combined with annual private-sector investments of roughly an equal amount. To read more,click here


 

SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW SYMPOSIUM AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, JUNE 23-28, 2013

Designed for a national audience, this intensive one-week, well-balanced program is available on both a non-credit and graduate-credit basis and provides a thorough analysis of the leading issues under the IDEA and Section 504. Among the 19 symposium sessions are the following "hot topics": RTI; discipline, including a mock manifestation determination hearing; child find; transitional services; tuition reimbursement and other remedies; disability-related bullying; and autism.

Special features include:

  • Parallel tracks for basic and advanced practitioners, starting with a keynote dinner presentation by Dr. Melody Musgrove, Director, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education and ending with a post-luncheon crystal-ball culminating presentationled by national consultant and trainer Julie Weatherly, Esq., recipient of the 2012 National CASE Award for Outstanding Service.
  • Balance of district, parent, and neutral perspectives with a specialized set of topics and presenters for the advanced track.
  • Knowledgeable national faculty including attorneys Laura Anthony (Ohio), Emerson Dickman (New Jersey), Andrew Faust (Pennsylvania), Joshua Kershenbaum (Pennsylvania), Michele Kule-Korgood (New York), Deborah Mattison (Alabama), Marsha Moses (Connecticut), Michael Stafford (Delaware), Julie Weatherly (Alabama), Mark Weber (Illinois), and Dr. Perry Zirkel (Pennsylvania).
  • The symposium will take place on the beautiful campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., located just 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles south of New York City, with access from Lehigh Valley (ABE), Newark, and Philadelphia International airports.
  • CLE and ACT 48 credits available.
  • Non-credit: $995 full week; or $295 per day.  Lehigh University Graduate Credit (3): $1,695
Special Education Law Symposium ~ June 23-28, 2013 ~ Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA ~ coe.lehigh.edu/law

 


More Teachers Group Students by Ability

After being condemned as discriminatory in the 1990s, grouping students by academic ability seems to be back in vogue with a new generation of teachers, according to an analysis of federal teacher data. The study,"The Resurgence of Ability Grouping and Persistence of Tracking,"is part of an annual report on education released last week by the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Washington-based Brookings Institution. While different terms for sorting students are often used interchangeably, ability grouping generally refers to the practice-primarily in elementary grades-of separating students for instruction within a single class. To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - University of Florida

Univ-Florida

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Autism Bankrupts Families, Emotionally and Financially

Zachary Stewart, an 11-year-old who goes by the name of "Bubba," has been thrown out of two schools and has even been punched in the head during ballet class -- all for having the behavior problems associated with autism. But one of the worst blows to his family is a financial one. His insurance company in his home state of Utah, does not pay for diagnosis or treatment of autism -- a spectrum of disorders that now affects 1 in 88, with five times as many boys than girls. The bills for Bubba's therapy cost $150 a session, and he does at least one a week. To read more,click here


Draft of Next Generation of Educator Preparation Accreditation Standards Released for Public Comment

As the new national accreditor for educator preparation, theCouncil for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation(CAEP) is seeking public comment on the draft of the next generation of accreditation standards and performance measures. All stakeholders in education and educator preparation are encouraged to review and comment on the draft standards, which are available for public comment through March 29. Please visithttp://caepnet.orgor follow @CAEPupdates on Twitter for the most up-to-date information.


Did You Know That....

Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled.

Outrunning Obstacles: Student Athlete with Cerebral Palsy Inspires Others

In many ways, Margaux Wellman is like any other 14-year-old student athlete. She's on the school track and cross country teams, and also takes part in swimming. But when Margaux suits up for competition, she has a challenge beyond the stop watch. Cerebral palsy affects her balance and body coordination. "There's definitely challenges in life. I've had plenty enough surgeries, and I do things differently than other children," Margaux said. "But I'm just as smart as the other kids. I'm just - I'm normal. There's nothing wrong with me." To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - Perkins eLearning

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Guess the answer to this week's trivia question and we'll recognize you in next week's Week in Review.
Congratulations to: Kathleen George, Ope-Oluwa Olubela, Prahbhjot Malhi, Andrew Bailey, and Olumide Akerele,
who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:
According to recent research in the field,mothers of children with this IDEIA disability were much more likely than other moms to say their child had talked about or attempted suicide: 14 percent did, versus 0.5 percent of mothers whose kids were not classified with this IDEIA disability. What is this IDEIA disability?
ANSWER:  AUTISM

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Which President of the United States signed into law the first federal special education law, P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children's Act?

If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, April 15, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

Delay in Shifting Gaze Linked to Early Brain Development in Autism

At 7 months of age, children who are later diagnosed with autism take a split second longer to shift their gaze during a task measuring eye movements and visual attention than do typically developing infants of the same age, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. The difference between the groups' test results was 25 to 50 milliseconds on average, the researchers found, too brief to be detected in social interactions with an infant. However, they showed that this measurable delay could be accounted for by differences in the structure and organization of actively developing neurological circuits of a child's brain.To read more,click here


Employment Continues To Yo-Yo For People With Disabilities

The unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities edged upward last month, as employers added fewer jobs across the board, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. The jobless rate for those with disabilities hit 13 percent in March, up from 12.3 percent the previous month. The shift reflects an increase in the number of people within this population who were actively seeking work. At the same time, the unemployment rate for the general population dropped marginally to 7.6 percent. That number marks a four-year low even as the economy added a relatively meager 88,000 jobs.To read more,click here

AASEP Logo

NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET Members

Through an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee.  AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children.

 

For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here

Pope's Embrace of Boy with Special Needs Goes Viral

As Pope Francis made his way through thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, he plucked a boy with cerebral palsy from the crowd, creating an image that's gone viral. Dominic Gondreau, 8, who is from Rhode Island, was spotted by the pope while he traversed the square in his popemobile following mass on Sunday. The boy was lifted up to embrace the pontiff, who gave him a kiss. Since then, images of the special moment between the two have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, on NBC Nightly News and CNN, among others.To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - University of Florida

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Did You Know That....

There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence among U.S. children and adolescents. In 2007-2008, Hispanic boys, aged 2 to 19 years,were significantly more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white boys, and non-Hispanic black girls were significantly more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white girls.

Mental Health Care Lacking for Kids, Advocates Say

Many American adults who work and volunteer with young people believe that children and teens have limited or no access to mental health care, a new survey finds. Participants were asked about the availability of different kinds of health services for children and teens in their communities. More than half of the respondents said there was "lots of availability" for teens to have hospital care (55 percent) and primary care (56 percent), but only 30 percent said the same was true for mental health care. Availability for children was very similar. The survey was conducted by the University of Michigan-based National Voices Project, which was created to assess disparities in children's health, education and economic opportunities at the community level, through the input of paid adults or volunteers who work on behalf of children.To read more,click here


Liberty Mutual Savings

NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Group Savings Plus from Liberty Mutual

As a member ofNASETyou qualify for a special group discount* on your auto, home, and renter's insurance through Group Savings Plus® from Liberty Mutual. This unique program allows you to purchase high-quality auto, home and renters insurance at low group rates.

 

See for yourself how much money you could save with Liberty Mutual compared to your current insurance provider. For a free, no-obligation quote, call 800-524-9400 or visit

www.libertymutual.com/naset,or visit your local sales office.

*Group discounts, other discounts, and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state.  Certain discounts apply to specific coverage only.  To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify.  Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.


Despite Big Progress, Many Kids Have High Lead Levels in Blood

There has been a big drop in the number of American children with elevated blood lead levels over the past four decades, but about 2.6 percent of children aged 1 to 5 years still have too much lead in their systems, federal officials reported Thursday. An estimated 535,000 children in that age group had blood lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) in 2007 to 2010, according to an analysis of data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A lead level at or above 5 mcg/dL is considered "a level of concern" by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This level was adopted by the CDC in 2012.To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - Arkansas State University

ASU-Spring13

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Many U.S. Teens Have Poor Health Habits

More than 80 percent of U.S. teens eat unhealthy diets and many are sedentary, which raises the odds they'll develop heart disease in adulthood, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed data on more than 4,600 teenagers, aged 12 to 19, and assessed their health behaviors based on criteria set by the American Heart Association. The poor health habits they uncovered translate into obesity and overweight, which in turn raise risk factors for high blood pressure and other predictors of cardiovascular trouble, the study authors noted." Most children are born in a state of ideal cardiovascular health, [but] the poor lifestyles many U.S. children exhibit are leading to a loss of this important asset earlier and earlier in life," said lead investigator Christina Shay, an assistant professor of biostatistics and epidemiology in the College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.To read more,click here


Parent-Focused Classes May Help Tots at Risk for ADHD

Parent behavior training is an effective and well-studied intervention for preschoolers at risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new review shows.Such programs seek to promote a positive relationship between the parent and child, and to teach effective discipline strategies that rely on rewards and non-punitive consequences." When we looked at studies with children with a cluster of disruptive behaviors, parent behavior training is a good strong intervention for behaviors like hyperactivity, impulsivity, temper tantrums and oppositional behavior," said review author Dr. Alice Charach, head of the neuropsychiatry team at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.To read more,click here


NASET Sponsor - Perkins eLearning

Perkins normal

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jobsNASET's Latest Job Listings

* Video Feedback Reviewers - Tools for Teacher - We are seeking Video Feedback Reviewers with certification in bilingual education, math, science, English, special education or social studies. Reviewers will be TNTP employees based out of a home office anywhere in the United States (flexible location). To learn more - Click here

 

* MENTOR TEACHERTufts Educational Day Care Center - Responsibilities include providing leadership and supervision to a teaching team in the planning and implementation of a dynamic, developmentally appropriate and inclusive program for preschool or kindergarten age children in collaboration with teaching assistants, families, therapists and consultants. Beginning the second year, all mentor teachers and teachers coordinate a center wide program, initiative, or service. To learn more - Click here

 

* TEACHER- Tufts Educational Day Care Center - The Teacher's responsibilities include providing a dynamic, developmental, inclusive program for preschool or kindergarten age children, working with families, therapists, and team-teaching. Beginning the second year, teachers coordinate a center wide program, initiative, or service and may supervise University undergraduate and graduate students. To learn more - Click here

 

* Special Education Teacher - Alternative Paths Training School (APTS) is seeking a 12 month, Full-time Contract Special Education Teachers. -To learn more - Click here

 

* Master Educator - District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is  looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.  To learn more -Click here

 

* Director, Academic Programs - We are seeking a Director, Academic Programs to join our team. This full-time position is based in Centerville, Utah. To learn more - Click here

 


Food For Thought..........

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
Mark Twain
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