Table of Contents

• Update from the U.S. Department of Education

• Buzz from the Hub

• Exploring a Critical Issue in Special Education: Teacher Preparation and Retention. By Phenelope Gonzalez

• Addressing the Lack of Advocacy in Research for Low-incidence Disabilities and Dwarfism from a Proud Parent of a Little Person:  A Literature Review. By Jennifer Freesland

• Differentiated Instruction in Special Education. By Christy Olivares

• Concerns Regarding Multicultural Education and Special Education. By Rebekah Rickels

• Special Education Legal Alert. By Perry A. Zirkel

• Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET

• Acknowledgements

• Download a PDF or XPS Version of This Issue

NASET Members - Login Below to access the latest Special Educator e-Journal.

Site visitors: You may access a sample e-Journal - Sample e-Journal

To learn more click on the image above or - Click here

Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET

Special Education Teacher

West Hempstead, NY

Job Category: Special Education Teacher

Description:

The Special Education Teacher for the middle school 6:1:2 program promotes and develops successful learning for: students who demonstrate severe interfering behaviors; students on the autism spectrum; or other behavioral disabilities. The teacher manages an assigned caseload, maintains regular communication with those students, their parents, and appropriate staff members and is responsible for development, revision and implementation of the Gersh plan for services as well as each students' behavior plan.

Requirements:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree (Masters Preferred) in Special Education, School Psychology or Counseling, or equivalent experience and training;
• A valid NYSED Teaching License.
• Experience and expertise in student behavior management and collaborative problem solving;
• Ability to provide leadership to classroom paraprofessional staff in areas of specialization;
• Excellent interpersonal skills to consult effectively with teachers, administrators, and parents, in a variety of settings;

Benefits:

• Medical and Dental Plan
• 401 k with match
• Paid time off

Contact:

Charese McNeill
Gersh Human Resources Manager
cmcneill@gershacademy.org

*******************************

Special Education Coordinator (K-12)

New York, NY

Job Category: Special Education Coordinator

Description:

• Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students both in and out of school.
• Show unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness.
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school's core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct.
• Implement curricula and activities to meet academic standards.
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices.
• Participate in the collaborative curriculum development process.
• Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school's core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct.
• Be accountable for students' mastery of academic standards.
• Share responsibility for grade-level and school-wide activities.Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities.
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Engage families in their children's education.
• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings.
• Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training.
• Mentor and engage another Teacher in instructional practice and professional development.
• Include a Teacher in daily classroom activities to help students meet academic standards.

Requirements:

The Special Education Coordinator is passionate about supporting the students who are at-risk for academic underperformance due to emotional and/or physical challenges so that they can succeed in the school's rigorous academic program. The Special Education Coordinator holds primary responsibility for providing academic, emotional, and physical services for students who require additional support to thrive within the school's core academic program.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive compensation package, including a salary significantly above the district scale and comprehensive health benefits. Aside from extensive professional development, all our teachers are equipped with a laptop computer, email, high-speed internet access, library budget, and all necessary instructional supplies.

Contact:

Malcolm Davis
Malcolm.davis@uncommonschools.org
www.uncommonschools.org/careers

*******************************

Special Education Teacher (K-12)

New York, NY

Job Category: Special Education Teacher

Description:

The Special Education Teacher is passionate about supporting the students who are at-risk for academic underperformance due to emotional and/or physical challenges so that they can succeed in the school's rigorous academic program. The Special Education Teacher holds primary responsibility for providing academic, emotional, and physical services for students who require additional support to thrive within the school's core academic program.

Requirements:

• Show unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness.
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school's core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct.
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices.
• Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school's core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct.
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities.
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Engage families in their children's education.
• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings.
• Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training.
• Include a Teacher in daily classroom activities to help students meet academic standards.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive compensation package, including a salary significantly above the district scale and comprehensive health benefits. Aside from extensive professional development, all our teachers are equipped with a laptop computer, email, high-speed internet access, library budget, and all necessary instructional supplies.

Contact:

Malcolm Davis
Malcolm.davis@uncommonschools.org
www.uncommonschools.org/careers

*******************************

Special Education Teacher

Washington, DC

Job Category: Special Education Teacher

Description:

Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at 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.

DCPS serves 48,750 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 115 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest ­performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

Requirements:

• Set and reinforce clear expectations and routines that are aligned with the school's overall vision;
• Develop and implement curricula and activities to meet academic standards;
• Thoughtfully plan daily lessons and implement specific strategies to meet the needs of all students, providing extra support, enrichment, or variation of work when necessary;
• Demonstrate strong content knowledge;
• Design and implement assessments that measure progress towards academic standards and diagnose areas of student misunderstanding;
• Use assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices;
• Be accountable for students' academic growth and increase each individual student's achievement;
• Create a positive, achievement-oriented learning environment;
• Reflect on successes and areas of growth as a teacher, seek to improve performance, and respond to feedback;
• Participate in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions;
• Invest parents and families in their children's academic success through regular communication

Contact:

To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.joindcpublicschools.com.

For questions regarding this position, please contact us at teach.dc@dc.gov

*******************************

Children's Quality Reviewer

Madison, WI

Job Category: Conducting external quality review activities

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct external quality review activities for Children's Long Term Support Waiver, FC/PACE/FCP, Badger Care Plus, SSI, IRIS and programs as directed by DHS.
• Access multiple electronic health record systems and read member/participant records to evaluate compliance with certain federal and state requirements as well as industry standards. Priorities are placed on confirming that member/participant health and safety is assured. Effectively communicate results orally and in writing.
• Compliance with Federal and State standards for Medicaid managed care programs*
• Understand and apply federal and state requirements. Read and analyze documentation submitted by an MCO. Facilitate discussions with a wide variety of staff to determine and evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of expectations throughout an MCO. Determine level of compliance and effectively communicate results orally and in writing.
• Validation of Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs)*
• Read and analyze written reports regarding improvement of clinical and non-clinical processes or outcomes of care, associated documentation, and data from MCOs. Facilitate discussions to confirm understanding. Determine if the project was designed, conducted, and reported in a methodologically sound manner. Effectively communicate results orally and in writing.
• Read written proposals from MCOs designed to achieve improvements of clinical or non-clinical processes or outcomes of care. Provide technical assistance orally and in writing and make recommendations about approval status.
• Validation of Performance Measures*
• Conduct reviews according to review protocols to abstract and verify performance measurement data from a variety of sources, but not limited to medical records, encounter data, MCO and DHS systems data.
• Collaborate with MCO and agency representatives to obtain missing and clarify existing data.
• Summarize and compile findings using standardized forms and templates for reports.
• Review and mediation activities associated with FC, FCP, PACE, IRIS and Children's Long Term Care waiver program member appeals and grievances.
• Triage and talk with members, participants, and/or legal representatives to identify and understand concerns. Access multiple electronic health record systems and read member/participant records. Communicate with all parties via telephone and work to mediate a resolution. Document all activities in a database and communicate outcomes in writing.
• Develops and implements review activities independently and in collaboration with others in MHLTC and including DHS staff. Review activities must align with CMS protocols, as needed.
• Creates review activity and aggregate reports according to timelines and formats developed in collaboration with DHS.
• Participate in inter-rater reliability testing in order to achieve standards of accuracy and consistency in applying review guidelines for specific review activities.
• Review the work of others and work collaboratively with team members through ongoing feedback to ensure that work meets internal and external quality standards.
• Collaborates with MHLTC team members to improve existing systems/processes/standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to develop new ones.
• Some day and overnight travel is required; travel dates are scheduled in advance. All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Nursing or health or human services-related field will be considered.
• Five years' experience (3 considered) direct practice in working with specific target populations, including, but not limited to; developmentally and/or physically disabled, disabled children; children with severe emotional, behavioral, mental health and substance use disorders. Experience coordinating acute and primary and/or long-term care services, consumer education related to disease management, education and coordination of services for children and families of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities and severe emotional disturbances.
• Long term experience, including knowledge of managed care delivery systems, organizations and financing.
• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement, process improvement and Lean principles.
• Knowledge and proficiency in using electronic medical and health records systems.
• Ability to work well independently and within a team structure.
• Self-motivated, critical thinker.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and small and large group facilitation skills.
• Valid Wisconsin Driver's License

Benefits:

MetaStar offers a complete benefit package: Health, Dental and Life Insurance. Pension, 401K/Roth plans, Flex spending, vacation, sick and holidays.

Contact:

For a complete job description see www.metastar.com

Interested parties should either send resume & cover to jobs@metastar.com;
or, mail to: MetaStar, c/o HR, 2909 Landmark Place, Madison, WI 53713

*******************************

Arizona: Special Education Teacher

Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona

Job Category: Special Education Teacher

Description:

$46,000/school year (180 days). Summers off with year round pay. 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 (see below). With a proven track record, STARS is able to offer you an unbeatable support system and resources. STARS is hiring for the 2017-2018 school year. STARS places Special Education Teachers throughout the Phoenix, Tucson and the surrounding area public schools.

Requirements:

Certification through the AZDOE, in Special Education. Arizona Fingerprint Card through AZDPS. We will help you get the credentials needed and reimburse you for the cost.

Salary:

$46,000/school year, based on 180 days. STARS also offers a fantastic benefit package including: 16 weeks off, 100% Company paid Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, $1,000/year Continuing Ed Money, Paid DOE Certification Fees, Paid NASET Dues, Spanish Immersion trip, Hawaii Trip for two, 401K, 125 Plan, Direct Deposit, Evaluation tools and treatment supplies, Two company sponsored parties with professional entertainment, Company newsletter, STARS sponsored dinner meetings with national/local speakers, Yearly raises, Referral bonuses, Moving $, Birthday gifts and other appreciation throughout the year, Genuine Appreciation. YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A STAR!!!

Contact:

Brian Paulsen, COO #480.221.2573; Please email your resume to Jobs@StudentTherapy.com; Apply Online at StudentTherapy.com, we would love to hear from you!

*******************************

Special Education Teacher

Kotzebue, Alaska

Job Category: Special Ed. EBD, CI, VI, ECE, El, Sec.

Description:

Provide special education services in small community/ies in northwest Alaska. Work with team, complete required paperwork, follow IEPs, assist with assessments.

Requirements:

• Masters in Special Education preferred.
• EBD/Autism or VI endorsement preferred.
• Child and Special Education focused
• Supportive of District and Team Staff
• Lifting 50+ pounds
• Walking in Extreme Weather.

Benefits:

• Salary DOE
• Housing Allowance
• Travel Assistance to Site
• PD Specific to IEPs District/State Requirements
• Mentors
• IEP assistance and support

Contact:

Terry Martin,
Director, Human Resources

Cheryl Schweigert,
Director, Special Programs
Email:cschweigert@nwarctic.org
Telephone: 907-442-1815

*******************************

Special Education Specialist

Multiple Locations

Description:

The primary responsibility of the Special Education Specialist is to provide instruction and other related services to Special Education students. The Special Education Specialist will also facilitate diagnostic assessment including administration, scoring and interpretation. Will review and revise IEP's as needed. Will support instruction in reading, math, and written language for students, tutor individual and small groups of students, administer and score academic testing, write individualized education plans and support other academic programs as needed. The Special Education Specialist will work under the leadership of the Program Specialist and the Director of Special Education. This position will be available to provide direct instruction to students 6 hours a day.

Essential Functions include, but are not limited to the following:*

• Provide instruction to students with special needs and identified learning disabilities in a special education program.
• Tutor individual and small groups of students, reinforcing language and reading concepts.
• Administer and score individual and group tests.
• Schedule IEP meetings, coordinating schedules with parents, general education teacher(s), administrator, and all appropriate special education staff.
• Conduct IEP meetings.
• Communicate and coordinate special needs evaluation and testing with speech teacher, psychologist, and other service providers.
• Communicate with parents regarding individual student progress and conduct.
• Maintain progress records and record progress toward IEP goals.
• Record progress within the independent study program.
• Perform other duties in support of the Special Education Specialist program.
• Support other academic programs offered within the independent study program.

• Various openings in Burbank region, San Gabriel region, Victor Valley region, Inland Empire region, San Bernardino region, and San Juan region.
• Education and Experience:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Special Education Specialist Certificate or ability to obtain Mild/Moderate Certificate.
• Ability to teach students of grades K-12.
• Ability to work with children of all ages.
• Ability to understand, adopt, and support the independent study program, concepts and their philosophies.
• Ability to organize and present ideas effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to make skillful decisions.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate a PC computer, word processor, copier, FAX, and other office machines.

• BA/BS Degree
• Valid California Teaching Credential in Special Education (Mild/Moderate)

Contact:

Nehia Hearn
Human Resources Assistant
Direct: 626) 204-2552 Fax: 626) 685-9316
nhearn@ofy.org

*******************************

To top