Week in Review - March 4, 2022


NASET

WEEK IN REVIEW

National Association of Special Education Teachers

March 4, 2022                 Vol 18 Issue #9



Dear NASET Members and Guests,

Welcome to NASET's WEEK in REVIEW.  Here, we provide you with the latest publications fromNASET to 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 the WEEK in REVIEW at news@naset.org. Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,


WHATS NEW AT NASET

NASET Special Educator e-Journal - March 2022

Table of Contents

 

  • Special Education Legal Alert. By Perry A. Zirkel
  • Buzz from the Hub
  • Update from the U.S. Department of Education
  • Key Definitions in Part B of IDEA | Defining and Understanding Related Services
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Job Postings
  • Acknowledgements

To Access this article - Click Here


NASET ADVOCACY - Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education (BCASE)


Maine is First New England State with Alerts for Children with Disabilities

Maine has become the first state in New England to create an alert system for missing children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Maine Department of Public Safety and supporters of the new system said it addresses a gap in emergency alerts in the state. The new program is part of the state’s silver alert system that was created more than a decade ago to inform the public about missing older residents who suffer from cognitive impairments. Eighteen states around the country have alert systems for children with intellectual and development disabilities. Maine’s system is the only one of its kind in New England, state officials said. Republican Sen. Harold Stewart worked with Maeghan Swanson, a Presque Isle mother of a 12-year-old boy who has autism, on the proposal. Read More

Steroid Treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy May Depend on the Clock

Each year, about 20,000 children are diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and other systemic damage. Duchenne primarily affects males and is usually diagnosed by age 4. While a variety of therapies can slow progression and extend life expectancy, the disease has no cure yet. Those born with Duchenne seldom live beyond their mid-20s. In 2017, researchers learned that weekly doses of prednisone, a widely prescribed steroid, appear to provide better support for weakening muscles compared to daily doses while also reducing the significant side effects induced by daily intake. Now, a new study reports that the time of day for providing the drug may be crucial to the effectiveness of such treatments. Read More

Professional Learning in Virtual Classrooms

Peer walk-throughs and self-reflection are common practices among educators that provide even the most seasoned veterans with fresh perspective, innovative ideas, and classroom best practices. I am the coordinator and principal of our district’s virtual program, where our K–8 teachers are fully virtual, spending the majority of their day teaching online via Zoom videoconferencing. Because we are smaller, we have only one teacher in most grade levels. This small size can leave teachers feeling as if they are alone on an island. Use of peer walk-throughs and self-reflection can help deepen the sense of community among the virtual teachers as they visit each other’s classrooms and learn about virtual teaching strategies to engage students in learning. It is a way to open lines of communication, establish best practices in the virtual setting, and ensure consistency for students as they transition to the next grade level. Read More

 



How the Netflix Series "Atypical" Raises Awareness About Autism

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been steadily increasing, with the latest figures indicating that one (1) in 54 children has the disorder nationwide. Whether or not we have a child, friend, or other family member diagnosed with ASD, it’s important to understand what this disorder is like for someone who lives with it. Fortunately, now there’s Atypical, a coming-of-age Netflix series whose main character, 18-year-old Sam Gardner, openly identifies as being on the autism spectrum. Last summer, I watched the fourth and final season of Atypical, and I commend the show for its earnest portrayal of autism, especially high-functioning ASD. It is worth viewing by anyone wanting to learn about ASD. Read More

Children with Disabilities During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systemic Overview

The advance of the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new scenario of exclusion and invisibility for people with disabilities, leaving a large portion of this population in need of assistance, resources, accessibility, or medical monitoring and rehabilitation. Despite the fundamental right to health, education, and access to society’s resources for persons with disabilities, as established by the Convention adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2006, there is a lack of priority care available for this vulnerable population, especially now amidst the current global health crisis and the subsequent social isolation. Disability refers to mobility, hearing, visual, and language difficulties and developmental delays that affect a person’s behavior, emotional expression, and learning abilities. It includes mild to severe impairments. It can be biological or acquired, meaning a child can be born with a condition or develop it as a result of illness, abuse or injury. Read More

Neural Disruptions Underlying Feeding, Swallowing Disorders in Children Identified

Every time you chew, talk, yawn, or sense the zap of a toothache, cranial nerve cells are shuttling electrochemical signals to your brain. Some of these neurons detect pain, while others sense facial muscle movements or sensations in the skin. Now, in a new study published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC scientists led by Anthony-Samuel LaMantia depict the early development of pain-sensing and movement-sensing neurons in the face and throat. The findings reveal a previously unexplored feature of brain and cranial nerve development underlying eating, swallowing, and speech. "We were able to show for the first time that this momentary interaction between two groups of cells plays a crucial role in regulating movement and pain-sensing innervation in the face," LaMantia, professor and director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute's Center for Neurobiology Research. Read More

Interplay Between Brain Networks in Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with an increased focus on one's internal experiences along with a reduction in responsiveness to external social surroundings. Now, a new study investigates the dynamics of brain connectivity between brain networks associated with internal experiences, external attention, and switching between internal versus external states. The study appears in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, published by Elsevier. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) to compare 325 individuals with ASD with 356 people in a typically developing control group. They measured connectivity dynamics between three key brain networks: the default-mode network (DMN), the frontoparietal network (FPN), and the salience network across time. Read More

 



TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to: Susan Mason, Karen Frantz-Fry, Kylie Powell, Laura Larimore, Lynne Dixon, Margaret Kullenberg, Cindi Maurice, Katrina Snider, Lauro Esquilona, Olivia Strozier, and Zenaida Lemus who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:

According to recent research in the field of autism, women with a specific type of eating disorder before or during pregnancy have an increased chance of having a child with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The new study drew from a large dataset: nearly 53,000 children born in Sweden between 1990 and 2012. Those who had this eating disorder during pregnancy were four times as likely to have a child with autism, compared with women who had never had an eating disorder. The odds of having a child with autism were 80 percent higher among women who had recovered from this eating disorder prior to pregnancy. What is the eating disorder?

Answer: ANOREXIA NERVOSA

This week's trivia question: More than 1 in 3 children in kindergarten through grade 3 have little chance of doing this on grade level by the end of the school year without major and systemic interventions. That’s according to a new study by the curriculum and assessment group Amplify, based on data from more than 400,000 students in kindergarten through 5th grades. The research, shows that though students have begun to recover lost academic ground in the last year, big holes remain in students’ fundamental skills in this area. What is the academic area of concern?

If you know the answer to this week's trivia questions, email it to us at contactus@naset.org by March 7, 2022. If you are correct, you will be acknowledged in next week's NASET's Week in Review


New Treatment for People with Asthma, Food Allergies?

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Microbiology and Immunology have made an important new discovery about how a particular molecule could improve lung function for people with asthma and food allergies. "Millions of children and adults in the United States have asthma, which results from allergen-induced inflammation in the lungs," said Mark Kaplan, PhD, chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the senior author of the study. "The ability of cells to communicate with each other is critical in the development of inflammation and occurs through the release of molecules called cytokines. One of these cytokines, interleukin-9 (IL-9), has been found in patients with asthma and food allergy, but how IL-9 promotes inflammation has been unclear. In the study published recently in Science Immunology, researchers define one of the cell types, called the lung macrophage, as a major target of IL-9. Read More

How Art Class Became a Rare Bright Spot for Students and Families During the Pandemic

In an art class, a middle schooler drew a picture of her bedroom with colored pencils. A birds-eye view captures a bed, a clock and a laptop, surrounded by the bedroom walls which seem to creep closer to the bed as one looks on. One wall is scribbled in red, black letters spell out words like “depression,” “help,” “I am trying” and “I am not fine.” The student also drew the reason for the franticness, claustrophobia and malaise she felt: A spiky green virus in the corner and the words “coronavirus I hate you.” For some students, art classes during the pandemic were a welcome escape; for others, they were a critical release—an opportunity for self-expression at a time of extreme stress and isolation. At the forefront are art teachers themselves, who juggle these competing perspectives as they help guide students through a particularly challenging time. Read More

How to Tap Into Students’ Interests with a TED Talk Unit

As an educator, I find there’s nothing better than witnessing my students becoming completely enthralled with a class project. Their eyes light up, they share their ideas excitedly with peers, and working on their masterpiece makes time fly by in such a way that when I announce lunch break, they collectively holler, “What? Already?” Projects such as these bring exhilaration and passion into the classroom and breathe new life into antiquated curriculum. One such project that has sparked joy for my students and me has been our TED Talk unit. TED Talks provide a glimpse into students’ lives, as they hone their energies into topics they’re truly passionate about. I’ve had a student who elected to speak about finding her passion by sharing how ventriloquism inspired her to persevere when trying new things, another who spoke about the dangers of too much screen time, and one who taught us all about the fascinating history of the yo-yo, wowing us with his skills as he spoke. Read More

Don't Be Scared to Talk about Disabilities

Let's start with some numbers. More than 1 billion people--nearly 15% of the world's population — experience some form of disability. In the United States alone, about 61 million, or 1 out of every 4 adults, live with at least one disability. So it's probably safe to say that you know someone with a disability or might be disabled yourself. To be clear, these disabilities may not be physical or even visible: they could be learning, developmental or intellectual disabilities, or mental or chronic illness, to name a few. But as common as disability is, not many people know how to talk about disability or how to interact with people with disabilities. "To so many people, [disability] remains a mystery, this very scary and overwhelming topic," says disability rights activist and writer Emily Ladau. Read More



Lehigh University Special Education Law Symposium

Lehigh University’s virtual Special Education Law Symposium returns from June 19-24. Sessions recorded for later viewing. Twenty-eight experienced special education attorneys from across the country will present eight new “hot topics” from the very latest case law: dyslexia legal update, stay put permutations, liability for abuse of students with disabilities, navigating compensatory services and compensatory education, settlement strategies, and more with a focus upon COVID-19 implications. Legally Basic and Legally Experienced tracks. The Section 504 Coordinators Institute is an overlapping, but separable two-day (June 23-24) component intended for school district Section 504 coordinators and others interested in this increasingly important anti-discrimination statute. Dr. Perry Zirkel (PA) and Jose Martin (TX) will respectively offer (a) an in-depth comparison of Section 504 and the IDEA and (b) legal nuances for IDEA-eligible students who also present unique Section 504 factors. Kathleen Sullivan (CO) and Judith Nedell (CT) offer a full day of practical solutions to basic and thorny 504 challenges. Week-long and per day symposium options available. Balance of school and parent viewpoints. For more information, see go.lehigh.edu/spedlaw, or call (610) 758-5557. Read More

Reasons Why Businesses Should Care About Disability Issues

Disability issues like accessibility, equal service, and employment rights are important to people with disabilities. But are they really important to anyone else? Businesses are legally required to follow the Americans with Disabilities Act, state civil rights laws, and sometimes local accessibility standards as well. But there are ways to “comply” with these laws and regulations with only minimal attention and care. And too many businesses still tend to think of accessibility and disability accommodations as semi-voluntary “good deeds.” Disability advocates have for decades asserted that accommodating disabled employees, properly serving disabled customers, and otherwise taking disability rights issues seriously is “good for business.”. Read More

PROOF POINTS: A Smarter Robo-Grader

The best kind of expertise might be personal experience. When the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education wanted to learn more about the latest advances in robo-grading, it decided to hold a competition. In the fall of 2021, 23 teams, many of them Ph.D. computer scientists from universities and corporate research laboratories, competed to see who could build the best automatic scoring model. One of the six finalists was a team of just two 2021 graduates from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prathic Sundararajan, 21, and Suraj Rajendran, 22, met during an introductory biomedical engineering class freshman year and had studied artificial intelligence. To ward off boredom and isolation during the pandemic, they entered a half dozen hackathons and competitions, using their knowhow in machine learning to solve problems in prisons, medicine and auto sales. They kept winning. Read More

Interims Leading Courageously in Unparalleled Times

School districts are losing their superintendents at an alarming rate. What is more daunting is the shortage of available school leaders to replace the rapidly departing superintendents. At any time, about 22 percent of the nation’s school districts are headed by interim or acting superintendents, rather than permanent ones, according to the American Association of School Administrators. The shortage of leadership for the schools adds an additional burden to school boards that are dealing with other urgent issues: tight budgets, student and staff safety and student academic achievement. In their efforts to continue the mission, vision and continued progress of the district, they have sought relief by hiring interims. Read More

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and ADHD: What to Know

Rejection is not enjoyable for anyone. But for people with a condition called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), getting turned down, criticized, or rebuffed can trigger an overwhelming emotional response.  RSD is characterized by extreme emotional sensitivity to being criticized or rejected, whether real or perceived rejection. While researchers are still unsure of the cause, it seems that people with ADHD may be more susceptible to RSD.1 In this article, the symptoms, treatment, and the link between RSD and ADHD will be explored. Read More

 



JOB POSTINGS

* [2022-2023] 7th Grade Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* [2022-2023] Middle School Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* Elementary Special Education Teacher - Castle Rock School District #401 is excited to announce the opening of an elementary teaching positions in Special Education for the current school year. Candidates must hold the proper Washington State credentials and/or endorsement. Applicants must meet current ESSA standards for highly qualified teachers. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - The job of CLASSROOM TEACHER is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process by serving as a teacher with specific responsibility for supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines. To learn more- Click here

* [2021-2022] Reading Interventionist - The Reading Interventionist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students that are reading significantly below grade level in grades K-2 through small group instruction (3-4 students) and push-in support. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* Director of Special Services - Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive learning and working environment. Provides leadership in planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive instructional program for special education; supervises all special programs for students with disabilities. Develops district procedures to coordinate the identification, evaluation and placement of students into programs for students with disabilities. To learn more- Click here

* Assistant Principal - DC Public Schools’ mission is to recruit, develop, and invest in a talented, caring, and diverse team. We know that when our educators are given the tools, opportunities, and recognition to thrive, our students will thrive in school and in life. RISE - Rigorous Instruction Supports Equity - is a new program to support educators through professional development, performance-based incentive awards, and support for new teachers at our highest-need schools. At its core, RISE is about honoring our educators as professionals and providing opportunities to learn and grow within the district. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - The Knapp School staff members believe the best educational program for our students focuses on fostering each child’s academic and personal potential through assisting them in discovering and developing their strengths and passions while preparing them for success in the larger community. Our Special Education Teachers play a critical role in this process by prioritizing each students' development and growth through strong, supportive relationships and highly individualized academic and social emotional activities each day. To learn more - Click here

* Support Specialist - The purpose of this position is to assist in the establishment and maintenance of a safe environment for all students and staff within the school through close collaboration with School Teachers, Teacher’s Aides, Social Workers and School Administration. Must be able to enact principles of trained methodologies in order to provide emotional and environmental support for students throughout the school day. To learn more - Click here

* Executive Director, GROW Associates - GROW provides services for individuals with disabilities in the greater Brockton area to plan their individual goals and supports them in achieving those goals. GROW provides a wide range of services to almost 300 people. These programs include Day Habilitation, Community- Based Day Supports, Vocational Training and Employment Services. GROW Associates' services helps adults with developmental disabilities achieve a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. To learn more- Click here

* Principal - We work with Chicago Public Schools and with school districts from the Suburban Cook County, Lake County, and the Western Suburbs to serve students who are referred based on their need for a highly structured, therapeutic school setting and individualized approach to learning.  Students who are referred by a public school district are educated at Knapp School & Yeshiva at no cost to their families. In doing so we provide both academic and social and emotional supports that are aligned with each student’s specific strengths and needs. To learn more- Click here

* Senior Director of Program Operations Aspire Living & Learning - Aspire Living & Learning is a non-profit human services agency making a meaningful difference in the lives of neurodiverse adults and children. We provide residential programs, day support, special education, and employment services in partnership with families and in collaboration with public and private health, human service, education and other government agencies. Headquartered in Vermont, our 1,200 team members serve individuals across four Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. To learn more- Click here

* Teach SPED 22-23 School Year - At New Visions for Public Schools, we work to make great public schools common in New York City. We believe that all of New York City’s students deserve public schools that make successful futures possible, especially Black, Latinx, and low-income students who have historically had inequitable access to a great public education. To learn more- Click here

* Strategist II: ID Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Integrated Services Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Strategist I Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Behavior Interventionist - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher, Institutional Settings - Dedicated and collaborative teams of educators committed to supporting teaching excellence through coaching, professional development and excellent administrative support. CES prides itself on providing robust and engaging learning opportunities to all its teachers. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - Do you aspire to help children with diverse challenges build skills for their future? Are you ready to make a real impact in their lives? As a Special Education Teacher at Bancroft, you will draw upon a wealth of curriculum and clinical resources to design individualized student goals. To learn more- Click here

* Director of Oregon Migrant Education Service Center - The Director position for the Oregon Migrant Education Service Center (OMESC) will provide leadership for the 3rd largest migrant education  program in the nation that includes nine education service districts and nine district regional program. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher (All Specializations) - 2022-23 School Year - DCPS serves approximately 49,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,200 educators in 117 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 (Salary Range: $56,313 - $90,905), 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. To learn more- Click here

* Middle School Special Education Teacher - The Halton School, an independent school for students with Asperger’s, is looking for a Middle School Special Education teacher. The teacher will provide special education instruction to students in a small multi-grade class. The teacher will utilize a variety of teaching methods to meet student’s educational needs and adapt and develop instructional materials accordingly. To learn more- Click here

* Director of McKay Academic Center (Academic Support) - The Dunham School is a PK-12, non-denominational Christian, independent school serving 785 students on one campus. The school offers fee paid tutoring, coaching, small group instruction and individual courses for students with a range of learning challenges including ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and high functioning autism. To learn more - Click here

* Special Education Teacher - 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. With a proven track record, STARS is able to offer you an unbeatable support system and resources. STARS is hiring for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. STARS places Special Education Teachers throughout the Phoenix, Tucson and the surrounding area public schools. To learn more- Click here

If you are an Employer looking for excellent special education staff - Click here for more information


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.

Sheila Murray Bethel

Return to Week in Review Main Page - Click here

forgot username or password?