November 2020 - Special Educator e-Journal




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Special Education Legal Alert

By Perry A. Zirkel

© October 2020

This month’s update identifies recent court decisions of general significance, specifically addressing the questions of (a) whether a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) qualifies as an evaluation under the IDEA, and (b) to what extent a school nurse’s advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities provides legal protection from adverse employment action.

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    Preliminary Summary of Dispute Resolution Survey Results

    Natalie Jones and Perry A. Zirkel

    September 28, 2020

    In early September, we surveyed the 51 state education agencies (SEAs), including the District of Columbia, as to the extent of dispute resolution activity arising from COVID-19 for students with disabilities.  More specifically, the structured questionnaire asked for the number of (a) filings and (b) decisions for (1) due process hearings and (2) written state complaints per primary COVID-19 issue as of August 31, 2020.  We received complete or, for a few states, partial responses from 47 (92%) of the SEAs.  The following chart represents the summary of responses.  We plan to prepare a more detailed follow up report.

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    Buzz from the Hub

    All articles below can be accessed through login:

    • Behavior Challenges: Conversation Starters to Use With Your Child’s Teacher

    • The LD Checklist: Recognize and Respond

    • 20 “Stay-Put” Play Spaces for Little Ones with Sensory Impairments and Other Special Needs

    • Guides to Education Technologies

    • Module | Interagency Collaboration

    • OSEP Updates: September 2020

    • Fighting the Big Virus Children’s Book

    • 10 Kids’ Books That Star Protagonists with Special Needs

    • Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities

    • 100 Things Students Can Create To Demonstrate What They Know

    • 6 Tips for Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning

    • Types of Strengths in Kids

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    U.S. Department of Education Releases Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide

     

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.

    "As technology continues to iterate and benefit every part of our lives, all students need more opportunities to leverage the potential of technology in education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "We hope families can use the information we release today as many of them are relying on technology more so than ever before and are navigating learning from home."

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    Prevalence of Hearing Loss in the Winneba Municipality, Ghana

    Emmanuel Kwasi Acheampong

    University of Education, Winneba

     

    Abstract

    This study aims to systematically analyse data on the prevalence of hearing loss on reported cases at the Center for Hearing and Speech Services in the University of Education, Winneba in the Effutu Municipality. A sample of 671 out of 1200 recorded cases in 2018 were extracted from a standard protocol such as audiometric screening test and case histories of clients. Out of 671 clients, 170 (25.3%) were diagnosed as having significant hearing loss. The percentage of hearing loss in males (58.2%) was higher than in females (41.8%). The majority of the clients with hearing loss were within the ages of 21-40 which constitutes (46.5%). The occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss was more than other types of hearing loss (51.8%). The study recommends that all data at the center should be analysed and similar studies be conducted across Ghana to establish the prevalence of hearing loss in the country.

    Keywords: audiometry, prevalence, hearing loss, incidence, hearing impairment

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    Exploring Factors Related to Burnout among Special Education Teachers in Specialized Schools

    Dr. Oksana Huk

    Dr. Brian Cesario

    Iona College

     

    **Adapted from the Fall 2020 edition of the Journal of the American Academuc of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP)

    Abstract

    The purpose of this initial exploratory research was to examine the extent to which burnout and turnover among special education teachers working within specialized schools were related to student maladaptive behavior (aggressive behaviors, self-injurious behaviors, and stereotypic behaviors), workplace support (from administration and colleagues), and teacher irrational beliefs. Correlational analyses indicated that all forms of student maladaptive behavior, administrative support, teacher irrational beliefs (low frustration tolerance and attitudes toward the school) were significantly related to burnout. Student self-injurious behavior and low frustration tolerance were significantly related to turnover. Teacher burnout and teacher turnover were also significantly positively correlated. Colleague support, self-downing, and authoritarian attitudes toward students were unrelated to burnout or turnover. Furthermore, no association was found between turnover and student aggression, student stereotypical behavior, and support from administration.

    Keywords: special education, burnout, turnover, irrational beliefs, teachers

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      Book Review: Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader: A Guide to Cultivating Effective Leadership and Organizations

      Julie M. Pfeiffer

      “The mind set of looking forward to the next thing is priceless,” Christopher D. Connors learned this lesson from his 5-yr. old son and uses it as inspiration for guiding and informing leaders and executives. Christopher D. Connors is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant and an executive coach.  He weaves the main, core concepts of emotional intelligence with the foundational aspects of leadership in a straightforward manner in his book, Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader:  A Guide to Cultivating Effective Leadership and Organizations, (Connors, 2020).  His book serves as a practical guide and a resource to current modern leaders such as CEOs, school administrators and anyone who has the desire to improve by understanding oneself and how to utilize emotional intelligence to enhance success.

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        Book Review: Lead like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for your Students and Staff

        Cristina Barros

        Purpose and Thesis of Book

        Often times as educators our purpose is to reach the maximum potential of our students and from time to time we ask ourselves “How can we do more for our students?” . In this book, Lead like a Pirate, its main purpose is to increase student engagement, boost creativity, and transform your life as a leader. Burgess presents a “pirate” philosophy that can revitalize and place the emphasis back on students and learning. Pirate in this case, is an acronym that stands for: Passion, Immersion, Rapport, Ask and Analyze, Transformation, and Enthusiasm. Although the main target for this book is for teachers to be able to be a leader in their classroom. This book contains core ideas all principals should embrace, espouse, and model in their actions while leading their school.  It embraces how to achieve the PIRATE philosophy. Principals today are much more than mere disciplinarians or supervisors. A school leader must act as an entrepreneur: a person of vision who is able to inspire, empower, and motivate his or her staff under a shared mission and common goals. Principals today are expected to be PIRATES: transformational leaders who communicate a school vision that promotes instructional practices, permeates classrooms, and leads to high level achievement.

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          Book Review: If You Don’t Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students! Guide to Success for Administrators and Teachers

          Sofia M. Borron

           

          Abstract

          This book review is for the book If You Don’t Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students!: Guide to Success for Administrators and Teachers, by Neila A. Connors. This paper focuses on key components necessary to have a successful administration that provides effective leadership for the teachers and school. The purpose of this book was to reflect on successful schools and how administrators led the school in an effective way while supporting the teachers. The information in the book is based on observations, discussions, personal learning experiences, shadowing, and common-sense practices.

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            Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET 

            * Educational Instructional Support Specialists - The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) is seeking Educational Instructional Support Specialists to assist with onsite coordination of hybrid and/or remote teaching and learning. The Specialist will provide structure, onsite support and the connection to teachers as needed.  The Specialist's purpose is to make sure that students have what they need in order to actively, and successfully engage with their learning when done via remote instruction, or through a combination of in person and on-line (hybrid) programming. To learn more- Click here

            * FT Special Education Teachers, (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) - PA Virtual has openings for Full Time Special Education Teachers at the Elementary, Middle and High School Levels. All teaching positions are remote and we require candidates to have a current, valid certification to teach in the state of Pennsylvania. The Teacher position is responsible for the planning, organization and implementation of an appropriate instructional program, in an elementary or secondary virtual learning environment. To learn more - Click here

            * Special Education Teacher - A local school district in Charleston, SC has partnered with an industry leading healthcare job placement agency, to fill several vacant Special Education Teacher positions in Charleston, SC for the entire 2020-21 School Year. The Special Education Teacher is responsible for planning, coordinating and the provision of special education services to eligible students. This position assures adherence to timelines and federal and state requirements for special education services and the responsibility for monitoring compliance with Individualized Services Plans (ISP) and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP). To learn more - Click here

            * Special Education Teacher - Merakey is seeking a Special Education Teacher to join our Education Services within our Children's and Family division in our school in Chambersburg PA for the 2020-2021 school year. The Merakey Children's and Family Division focuses on a continuum of care throughout the lifespan. The core, fundamental principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are incorporated into a specialized approach across all service offerings. To learn more - Click here

            * Special Education (Autism) PreK-4  - General responsibilities indlude aiding each student consistent with his or her abilities and educational needs. Develop competence in the basic learning skills, progress on the basis of achievement, and to qualify for further education and/or employment. To learn more - Click here

            * Virtual Special Education Teacher Positions - K12 believes in education for everyone. We provide families an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Students can thrive, find their passion, and learn in an environment that encourages discovery at their own pace. In support of this, we are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion and diversity. To learn more - Click here

            * Special Education Teacher - $60,000/school year (185 days), summers off with year-round pay and year round appreciation. Special Education Teachers needed in Arizona (Phoenix and surrounding cities). Needs are in the self-contained and resource settings serving students with emotional disabilities (ED), Autism (A), Severe/Profound (S/P), and Intellectual Disabilities (ID). 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 - To learn more - Click here

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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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