January 2020 - Special Educator e-Journal




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Special Education Legal Alert

By Perry A. Zirkel

© December 2019

This month’s update concerns issues that were subject to recent, unpublished federal court decisions of general significance: (a) the continuing issue of the need prong for eligibility under the IDEA, and (b) the occasional issue of “reverse attorneys’ fees,” i.e., where the district rather than the parent is the party seeking payment. For both of these issues, see Publications section at perryzirkel.com.

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    • How to Request a Special Education Assessment
    • Consent and Kids with Disabilities
    • Person-Centered Career Planning Exercise
    • Webinar | Cultural Competence: What it Means for Person-Centered Thinking, Planning, & Practice
    • On The Outs: Reentry for Inmates with Disabilities

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      Transforming School Culture: Book Review: Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra

      By Lymairy Checo

      Abstract

      This article is a book review for Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, it goes over the purpose and thesis of the book. In addition, some strength and weakness of the book are reviewed. Finally, the book is compared to Leading in a Culture of Change and how their theories apply to educational systems is explored. 

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        Literature Review: Providing Visual Models for Non-verbal Students to Improve Behavioral Outcomes in the Classroom

        By Melanie Calise

        Abstract

        According to Boutot (2017), “When someone has limited or no speech, she will use other methods to communicate wants and needs” (p. 8). In a self-contained Special Education classroom, this is seen every day. Williams (as cited in Rizzo-Wise, 2002) noted that autism is a relatively common developmental disorder diagnosed clinically on the basis of pervasive and qualitative impairments in communication, social interaction, and range of interests and activities. Children with autism often have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, typically resulting in showing negative behaviors. There has been evidence showing that the Picture Exchange Communication System decreases negative behaviors among children with autism while increasing independence. This paper will review four articles: The effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to decrease impulsive behaviors and increase self-management skills of children with autism, Effectiveness of Interventions to improve Social Participation, Play, Leisure, and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Long-term effects of PECS on social-communicative skills of children with autism spectrum disorders: a follow-up study, and The effectiveness of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A South African Pilot Study. The databases used to find these peer reviewed articles were ERIC and SAGE. The purpose of this literature review is to compare four studies and review the effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to decrease negative behaviors, increase independence and communication skills.

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          Book Review: School Leadership that Works: From Research to Results

          By Amanda A. Fernandez

          Robert J. Marzano, Timothy Waters, and Brian A. McNulty. School Leadership That Works: From Research to Results. Virginia: Association for Supervision & Curriculum, 2005. 198 pp. $34.29

          Change is a word that might inspire or put fear into people. Leadership is challenging when it comes to dealing with change and how individuals react within the organization to the change. In the book School Leadership that Works: From Research to Results Marzano, McNulty, and Waters (2005) use leadership research in the United States to teach schools how to cope with change and which leadership practices have the biggest impact on student achievement.

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            Literacy Portfolio

            By Samantha Ashely Forrest

            Abstract

            The purpose of this literacy portfolio is to explore the six literacy components:  Oral Language Development, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Fluency. They each are important to a child’s reading development and without the other it would negatively affect the other. Together they allow a child to succeed with the use of effective instructional strategies. These components influences teachers by extending their knowledge on how better to assist their students with literacy.
             

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              Comparing: The End of Molasses Classes and Leading a Culture of Change

              By Deborrah Griffin

              Abstract

              Hamish Brewer writes about his personal education journey and how it led him to persue a career in education where he challenges all of the educational norms in order to make a difference in lives of all students, especially those that most would write off.  His book challenges educators to change the status quo and to not be afraid to color outside of the lines with teaching and reaching all students. 

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                Recruiting and Retaining Special Education Teachers in the Public Schools

                By Charles Robinson

                Abstract

                In recent years the United States has experienced a decrease in special education teachers in its’ public-school system.  This shortage has been felt across the country especially in states where annual teaching salaries are low, instructional resources are minimal, technology is nonexistent, and the educational facility is less than stellar.  These disenfranchised schools are often attended by children from low-income families, are located in urban high crime poverty-stricken communities which leads to high turnover rates of highly qualified teachers leaving these schools to solicit uncertified and novice teachers.  This article will focus on the detrimental factors that influence special education teachers’ turnover rates and investigate ways to recruit and retain qualified teachers in the public-school system.

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                  Self-Monitoring for Students with Different Abilities: A Review of the Literature

                  By Luz Arevalo

                  Abstract

                  This is a review of the literature of several articles and studies that include information about the importance of executive functioning. The research articles discussed include students with disabilities, self-monitoring their behavior. The researcher initially discusses why self-monitoring is vital and then introduces digital self-monitoring tools. Additionally, two studies with the implementation of ClassDojo are discussed. Then, the use of token economies for self-monitoring is also addressed. The researcher concluded that, as a result to explicitly teaching students with disabilities to self-monitor their behaviors, their quality of life is improved.

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                    NASET Sponsor

                    Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET 

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                    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


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