January 2024 - Special Educator e-Journal
Table of Contents
- Special Education Legal Alert. By Perry A. Zirkel
- U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights Releases New Civil Rights Data on Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities During the Pandemic
- The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Among Students with Disabilities in the School, Home, and Community. By Florencia Pecorari
- Exploration of how COVID-19 has Affected Education. By Lindsay N. Palavecino
- Visual Schedules for Students with Disabilities in Collaboration with Parents: A Literature Review. By Lournellie Vega Rullán
- Book Review: Deliberate Calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World. By Carolyn M. Sweeney
- Book Review: Eight Paths to Leadership: A Guide for Special Educators. By Melanie Tempest
- Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET
- Acknowledgements
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Special Education Legal Alert
By Perry A. Zirkel
© December 2023
This month’s update identifies recent court decisions that illustrate issues arising from teacher advocacy and focusing on student FAPE, respectively. For related publications and earlier monthly updates, see perryzirkel.com.
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U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights Releases New Civil Rights Data on Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities During the Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released new civil rights data from the 2020–21 school year, offering critical insight regarding civil rights indicators during that coronavirus pandemic year. OCR also released seven data reports and snapshots, including A First Look: Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities in the Nation’s Public Schools, which provides an overview of these data and information.
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The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Among Students with Disabilities in the School, Home, and Community
By Florencia Pecorari
Abstract
This publication investigates the pivotal role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools for students with disabilities in home, school, and community settings. Studies highlight the effectiveness of interventions, such as low-tech AAC using triadic gaze, underscoring the importance of early communication training for children with severe disabilities. In school settings, challenges in communication support and limited peer interaction necessitate inclusive practices and systematic approaches. Strategies like Least-to-Most prompting and video modeling prove effective in enhancing communication skills, emphasizing the need for integration into daily routines. High-tech AAC solutions, preferred by individuals with ASD, showcase performance improvements, advocating for their incorporation in education. Collaboration gaps between educators and speech-language pathologists underscore the necessity for systematic training. This paper advocates for comprehensive efforts, inclusive practices, and a commitment to enabling effective communication for all individuals with language impairments.
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Exploration of how COVID-19 has Affected Education
By Lindsay N. Palavecino
Abstract
There is no surprise that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that began in the spring of 2021 has affected the education system in more ways than one. Within the education system, there are many factors that need to be considered in relation to how education was impacted by COVID-19. The articles used includes: The impact of COVID-19 on education: A meta-narrative review, The effect of COVID-19 on education, Teachers survive together: Teacher collegial relationships and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and Reduced in-person learning in COVID-19 widens student achievement gaps in schools. All 4 articles were found using APA PsycNet and the National Library of Medicine. Each article that will be reviewed focuses on how COVID-19 has affected both the student and the teacher. The articles focus on both the teachers and students’ mental health, how the delivery of instruction shifted drastically from in-person to virtual learning, and how student achievement has been majorly affected during the closures of schools during the pandemic. The paper will be outlined using common themes that were addressed and researched in each article. This is an important topic to review because each year after schools reopened, it has been increasingly noticeable that students are underperforming in the classroom. Not only are they underperforming in academics, but they struggle tremendously with social skills and being around peers in the classroom.
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Visual Schedules for Students with Disabilities in Collaboration with Parents: A Literature Review
By Lournellie Vega Rullán
Abstract
Often, children with disabilities struggle with the routine at home, such as brushing their teeth, going to bed, dressing up, etc. Students often become resistant to the process, making it even more challenging to gain advanced skills in independence. Visual schedules are an essential intervention to help in getting independence skills for students with disabilities. A visual schedule communicates upcoming activities or events using objects, photographs, icons, words, or tangible supports. (Hume, n.d.). According to Rutherford et al. (2023), families often report limited access to visual support and a lack of information for their use at home. This literature review aims to give information and guidance to parents of disabled students using visual schedules to help with at-home skills.
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Book Review: Deliberate Calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World
By Carolyn M. Sweeney
Abstract
In a volatile and changing world, how can leaders use Deliberate Calm to effectively lead? This scholarly book review examines the practice of Deliberate Calm through Brassey, De Smet, and Kruyt’s book Deliberate calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World. While written for the corporate setting, the themes and pillars of practice are easily transferred to the field of education as the focus to reflect, engage, and build relationships allows leaders to successfully navigate the changing world.
Brassey, J., De Smet, A., & Kruyt, M. Deliberate calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2022. 318 pp. $29.99.
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Book Review: Eight Paths to Leadership: A Guide for Special Educators
By Melanie Tempest
Abstract
This review examines strategies and themes in Belva C. Collins's book Eight Paths to Leadership: A Guide for Special Educators. Collins writes about eight practical strategies special education teachers can utilize to take on leadership roles. The paths include data-based decision-making, effect school-wide change, mentoring others, professional development, working with families, student transitions, advocacy, and joining disability-related organizations. Two main themes are highlighted: mentoring and advocacy, and comparisons are made to Fullan’s Leading in a Culture of Change.
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Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET
* Special Education Teacher – San Jose, CA - Private School in San Jose, California has Special Education Teacher Opening starting January 2024. The Special Education Teacher teaches elementary and/or secondary school subjects to students with emotional impairments in specialized school programs. This position plans and prepares a comprehensive annual classroom syllabus. To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teacher - As a teacher at Beacon Day School you join a supportive community of educators, behaviorists, therapists, administrators, and staff who care deeply about our students and their families. We look forward to welcoming you! To learn more- Click here
* Special Education Teacher - You will have the opportunity to change lives through education as you connect and work one-on-one with students needing special support to understand both their capabilities and disabilities as you develop and apply personalized learning approaches and programs that support their growth, progress, and success. To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teacher - STARS is the largest school contract agency in AZ. STARS is owned and operated by Occupational Therapists. You will be an employee and receive full benefits. Summers off with year-round pay and year-round appreciation. To learn more- Click here
* Early Education Special Educator - Seeking applicants for determination of pilot program for pre-verbal/nonverbal children with cortical visual impairment outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To learn more- Click here
* Special Education Teacher - We are seeking a Special Education teacher for Thresholds High School! Thresholds High School is an Illinois State Board of Education certified Therapeutic Day School for students ages 16 to 21 years old with ongoing serious mental health needs. The Thresholds High School provides a distinct combination of flexibility and support in order to help students achieve both their high school diploma and their transition goals. To learn more- Click here
* Special Education Teachers - Successful candidate must be able to plan, organize, and implement an appropriate instructional program in an environment that prepares students for lives as informed and engaged citizens in a global society. To learn more- Click here
Acknowledgements
Portions of this or previous month’s NASET’s Special Educator e-Journal were excerpted from:
- Center for Parent Information and Resources
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- FirstGov.gov-The Official U.S. Government Web Portal
- Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP)
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth
- National Institute of Health
- National Organization on Disability
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Education-The Achiever
- U.S. Department of Education-The Education Innovator
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Office of Special Education
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) thanks all of the above for the information provided for this or prior editions of the Special Educator e-Journal