Week in Review - October 1, 2021

Continuing_Ed


NASET

WEEK IN REVIEW

National Association of Special Education Teachers

October 1, 2021                 Vol 17 Issue #40



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’s Special Educators e-Journal - October 2021

Table of Contents

 

  • Special Education Legal Alert. By Perry A. Zirkel
  • Buzz from the Hub
  • New Guidance Reaffirms Importance of Full Implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Using the DisCrit Lens to Engage Families From Minoritized Backgrounds. By Monique Matute-Chavarria, Ph.D., Pricella Morris, M.Ed., and Monica R. Brown, Ph.D.
  • Modifying an IEP or 504 for Distance or Hybrid Learning
  • Q&A on Dispute Resolution in Part B and Part C During COVID-19
  • Book Reviews
    • o School Leadership that Works. By Lauren Gonzalez   
    • o The One Minute Manager.  By Tali Finestone
    • o Improving Your Leadership Intelligence: A Field Book for K-12 Leaders. By Alexa Snyder
  • Latest Employment Opportunities Posted on NASET
  • Acknowledgements

Read More


 

Study: ADHD Symptoms Fluctuate But Persist Into Adulthood

Most individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) experience fluctuating symptoms between childhood and adulthood, with 90% of adolescents continuing to experience residual symptoms into young adulthood. This finding, from a recent American Journal of Psychiatry study, challenges previous research that suggested around half of children with ADHD outgrow the disorder by adulthood. Researchers followed 558 children with ADHD from the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA) for 16 years, checking their symptoms every 2 years, from age 8 to 25. At each time point, researchers identified children with fully remitted, partially remitted, and persistent ADHD, with the help of parent-, teacher-, and self-reports of “symptoms and impairment, treatment utilization, and substance use and mental disorders.” Read More

Early Intervention to Reduce Autism Symptoms Shows Promise in Clinical Trial

A new clinical trial seems to show that a specific form of early intervention can reduce the risk of children developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they get older. The study found high-risk infants whose parents were given the intervention went on to have lower rates of being clinically diagnosed with ASD by the time they turned three, compared to families given standard care. Though only a single study, and relatively small, the results may point to a genuine step forward in autism research if further validated. ASD is a complicated condition, both in its suspected causes and symptoms. Genetics and environmental influences, like air pollution exposure during pregnancy or early infancy, are thought to be important risk factors. Symptoms of ASD can range in severity and presentation but tend to include developmental delays, problems with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and digestive issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 54 children born today develop ASD. Read More

Colleges Seek Virtual Mental Health Services

The COVID-19 pandemic created a greater need for college mental health services as students struggled with the social and economic consequences of shuttered campuses, online learning and, in some cases, the illness or death of loved ones. Now, as most institutions resume more normal in-person operations, they are leaning on telehealth mental health services to deliver help to students, whether they are on campus or off. “We’ve seen that a lot of schools are focusing more on their services and making sure that they have an offering for health and well-being such as telehealth and teletherapy,” said Seli Fakorzi, director of mental health operations at TimelyMD, a telehealth provider. “Campuses are now thinking about whether they’re offering enough services that provide virtual and in-person support.” Read More

California Offered High Schoolers a Chance to Change Their Lowest Grades During the Pandemic But Few Applied. Here’s Why and How Districts are Reacting

California gave all high schoolers a two-week window this summer to change their 2020-21 letter grades to pass/no pass, an overture meant to soften the academic blow of COVID-19 on their GPA, but turns out very few took the state up on its offer. Districts across the state reported they did not receive nearly as many applicants as anticipated and, as a result, there is some legislative momentum right now to extend the deadline. School officials attributed the weak response to a number of factors, including summer communication lags and a concern among students that having pass/no pass outcomes on their transcripts would hurt their college prospects. “Sometimes it feels like our families have some school messenger fatigue, where they don’t always hear them or listen to them,” said Tess Seay, head counselor at Fresno High School in the state’s Central Valley. Read More

Online Reading Checkup Could Help Rebuild Charlotte Children's Skills

Munro Richardson knew the 2021 reading scores for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were bound to look bad after a year of remote and hybrid classes. And as expected, the Black, Hispanic and low-income students who were already trailing their classmates dropped further behind. For Richardson, who’s president of Read Charlotte, the biggest surprise was how much of a hit all the other students took, too. "I think about the pandemic as an equal opportunity destroyer of children’s literacy skills," Richardson said. "We saw the negative impact from third grade all the way through eighth grade. It was devastating for children all across our community." Richardson found that CMS students saw a bigger drop on crucial third-grade reading scores than other large North Carolina districts, such as Wake and Guilford counties. The results released earlier this month also show CMS third-graders also saw a bigger drop than nearby districts such as Union, Cabarrus and Gaston counties. Read More

 


Parents Call on State Officials to Make Remote Learning Options Available

Parents from communities around Massachusetts gathered virtually on Monday to call on education officials to make remote learning options available for students as the second pandemic school year gets underway amid the surge of the delta variant. Parents and organizers with the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, a statewide coalition with the mission of protecting and promoting public education, shared their concerns with attendees over Zoom, detailing how the decision by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to require in-person instruction and not allow districts the option of remote learning has impacted their households. Vatsady Sivongxay, executive director of MEJA, pointed out that COVID-19 outbreaks in Massachusetts have already shut down entire classrooms. Read More

A Landmark Autism Intervention Study Has Shown Dramatically Reduced Diagnosis Rates

We know that for autism, the causes and changes to the brain are happening long before birth. But in a groundbreaking new study, an intervention in infants showing early signs of autism has been able to reduce clinical diagnosis by two-thirds. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a wide-ranging set of conditions affecting a person's social, communication, and motor skills. Diagnosis is based on criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 – such as persistent deficits in social interactions and reciprocating emotions, an absence of interest in friends, repetitive movements or speech, and extreme or unusual reactions to stimuli. "These findings are the first evidence that a pre-emptive intervention during infancy could lead to such a significant improvement in children's social development that they then fell below the threshold for a clinical diagnosis of autism," says one of the study authors, University of Manchester child psychiatry researcher Jonathan Green.Read More

What We Know About ADHD Overdiagnosis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects children and adults. Doctors often diagnose ADHD in childhood. Among parents and in the medical community, there’s some concern about overdiagnosis in children and adolescents. The concern grows from the steadily increasing number of children diagnosed with ADHD. One 2017 study found that ADHD diagnoses roughly doubled between 2005 and 2014. Read on to learn more about the possible overdiagnosis of ADHD and other factors that might be behind the increase in ADHD prevalence. Given the sharp increase of ADHD diagnoses in recent years, studies have looked at the potential overdiagnosis of ADHD in children. Read More

No Bus Drivers, Custodians, or Subs. What’s Really Behind Schools’ Staffing Shortages?

School districts are confronting a crisis this year that shows little sign of abating: crucial job openings aren’t getting filled. A Colorado school district has fewer than a quarter of its normal supply of cafeteria workers. Efforts to directly hire social workers in New York City schools are leading to shortages among mental health nonprofits that provide in-school services. Some schools in Virginia have shifted to virtual learning after administrators couldn’t find enough substitutes to cover for teachers who had been exposed to COVID-19. All across the country, school districts are posting signs in town and notices on social media with humble but urgent requests for more school bus drivers. The mayor of Chicago asked the private rideshare companies Uber and Lyft to fill school transportation gaps. Read More

The Benefits of Reflection in School Discipline

My first job as an educator was in-school suspension monitor. The majority of the students assigned in-school suspension were there because of their behavior, and on my first day, the vice principal explained that the best approach was to walk around the room, never smile, and not be cordial with students. That mean, hard-nosed, punitive approach to school discipline is a practice from the past that really should be reevaluated. While I respect various approaches to student discipline, I found one particular approach back then that was effective—and it was not the vice principal’s. It was giving students a structured opportunity to reflect on their behavior. During my year as suspension monitor, I had many opportunities to interact with students, and I made it my goal to discover the root cause of their behaviors. I found that just spending time with them, informally talking one-on-one about why they did the things they did that resulted in suspension, seemed to make a difference. Read More


TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to: Melissa Davidson, Yvonne Harris, Cindi Maurice, Cindy Erickson, Katherine Horn, Amy Ross Bradl, Sheila Marie Trzcinka, Patsy Ray, Kylie Powell, Karen Frantz-Fry, Lauro Esquilona, Diane Campbell-Mitchell, Mariola Papa, Danelle Fugate, Tracey Christilles, and Velma Brockman who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:

The test names Wechsler, Stanford-Binet, Otis-Lennon, Kauffman, and Slosson are all associated with what type of assessment measure used in the determination eligibility of students for special education and related services?

Answer: TESTS OF COGNITIVE ABILITIES/INTELLIGENCE TESTS

THE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK WILL RETURN ON OCTOBER 8, 2021


Early Baby Therapy Could Reduce Autism Diagnoses

Improvement on this scale has never been shown before, the UK and Australian researchers say. The first two years are critical for brain development - but most autism diagnoses are made at the age of three. Longer-term research on more children is needed to see if the effects last. This study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, followed 103 nine- to 14-month-olds, in Melbourne and Perth, with early signs of autism. Over five months, the parents of about half of them were taught to: interact with their baby even if there was no eye contact; play with them in a sensitive way that helped their development. And at the age of three, while they still had developmental difficulties, their social engagement had improved, and they had fewer sensory issues. Read More

The Impact of the Pandemic on the Learning of Young People with Mental Disorders

That the pandemic impacted the learning of children and adolescents is already clear. However, when it comes to an audience with certain neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Down Syndrome, Asperger, dyslexia and autism. With that, what is the best way to adapt online teaching for these young people? Mental health: what is the difference between disorder, disease, disorder and syndrome? Did learning through the internet impact the development of children in this pandemic? How to use technology in children’s education in a healthy way and without excesses? Psychopedagogue Luciana Brites — CEO of Instituto NeuroSaber, focused on enhancing the development of children and teenagers — states that neurodevelopmental disorders originate from brain dysfunction, so this audience needs more assistance, because it is as if certain areas of the brain were malfunctioning. The child can get better over time. Read More

Could a New Program in High School Close Learning Gaps by Addressing Implicit Bias?

Rogers High School is about to test pilot a unique program this school year that could lower the achievement gap between Newport’s white students and students of color by improving the relationships between teachers and students. The program is a passion project from Sankofa Community Connection founder Niko Merritt to improve student achievement by focusing on how implicit bias from their teachers impacts their performance in school. She partnered with Dr. Kimberly O’Brien, a researcher and assistant psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School, to develop the study after working with O’Brien on a separate project and realizing her expertise in mental health in adolescents could help close the achievement gap between groups of students in Newport. Read More

Elementary School Teacher is Showing Her Students the Importance of American Sign Language

Kelly Rahmeier’s kindergarten students are learning their ABCs and a bit of ASL. She says the lessons in American Sign Language basics were inspired by a student who was hard of hearing.“Upon learning that he was learning ASL, the interpreter and I decided to teach asl to the whole class, well mostly I was learning it from her, and I was learning it on youtube and google and I would learn from our current teacher of the deaf,” she said. Rahmeier says although she isn’t certified to teach ASL she thinks it’s an important skill. “This is just wonderful, I love it and the kids love it it’s just been great so I started a graduate school program so that I could be a teacher of the deaf as well,” she said. Now, her lesson plans include simple words to get her students familiar with the language. “Starting early in the morning, we will do calendar and teach the days of the week and we teach simple conversations like “Hi” and letters and we also have a station in our classroom which is sign language so they are learning how to spell words,” Rahmeier said. Read More



Celebrating Student Growth with Formative Data

Since the start of the pandemic, much of the conversation around student assessment has focused on what was lost. Administrators, teachers, and researchers have largely measured differences in students’ standardized assessment or benchmark scores as compared with historical data. With last year’s state testing results available, and new students entering classrooms at a variety of levels, these conversations have increased. A more fruitful approach, however, would be to embrace assessment to improve understanding of student progress. Read More

 


JOB POSTINGS

* Learning Disabilities Teacher, ES/MS/HS - Provides and is accountable for the planning, assessment, instruction, communication, human relations, safety, and management of a classroom or assigned instructional setting. Supports FCPS mission to inspire, enable, and empower students to meet high academic standards, lead ethical lives, and demonstrate responsible citizenship. To learn more - Click here

* Emotional Disabilities Teacher, MS/HS - Supports FCPS mission to inspire, enable, and empower students to meet high academic standards, lead ethical lives, and demonstrate responsible citizenship. Provides and is accountable for the planning, assessment, instruction, communication, human relations, safety, and management of a classroom or assigned instructional setting. To learn more - Click here

* Multiple Disabilities Teacher, ES/MS/HS - Provides and is accountable for the planning, assessment, instruction, communication, human relations, safety, and management of a classroom or assigned instructional setting.  Supports FCPS mission to inspire, enable, and empower students to meet high academic standards, lead ethical lives, and demonstrate responsible citizenship. To learn more - Click here

*Special Education Teachers - Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PA Virtual), an online school providing over 20 years of home-based, public education to K-12 students across Pennsylvania, has a vacancy for Special Education Teachers. All Pennsylvania Counties are welcome to apply!! To learn more- Click here

*Special Education Teacher - Plan, prepare and deliver a quality instructional program based upon student Individual Education Plan goals, state standards, district curriculum, and effective instruction to students of diverse backgrounds and learning needs in inclusive settings. To learn more- Click here

* Special Ed Teacher: Secondary Emotional Support - (Fredericksburg, PA) The IU13 is an innovative leader in providing educational services to students, school districts, and communities in Lancaster and Lebanon counties and across Pennsylvania. Special Education Teachers are responsible for planning and implementing an effective program of instruction based on students’ Individual Education Programs (IEP’s). To learn more - Click here

* Special Ed Teacher: Secondary Emotional Support - (Lancaster, PAThe IU13 is an innovative leader in providing educational services to students, school districts, and communities in Lancaster and Lebanon counties and across Pennsylvania. Special Education Teachers are responsible for planning and implementing an effective program of instruction based on students’ Individual Education Programs (IEP’s). To learn more - Click here

* Special Education Professional- We are looking for teachers who are passionate, informed, and are already skilled at working with children with behavioral issues and interested in transferring that passion and talent and become a therapist. Family Solutions wants to help you transition into your new career through our DT and OP career positions. Family Solutions, providing a continuum of behavioral health services for children and families in the Rogue Valley, seeks Therapists (license not required) who will lead the reopening of the day treatment and outpatient services (post COVID). To learn more- Click here

* Special Ed Teacher-Preschool Early Intervention- What is the key to IU13's success? A talented, dedicated team of employees working together toward making a positive difference for all we serve. We are looking for Special Education Teachers that are ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow! Teachers who are excited about doing “Work Worth Doing”! To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher, Institutional Settings- The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) has an opening for a licensed Special Education Teacher for 2021-2022 School Year to work in Department of Youth Services program sites in the Metro Region of Massachusetts as a member of our Special Education in Institutional Settings (SEIS) team. We are especially excited about candidates with experience working in institutional settings. To learn more- Click here

* Director III, Special Education Procedural Support- Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the nation’s 11th largest school division, is seeking a proven educational leader to serve as Director, Special Education Procedural Support in the Department of Special Services.Located in the Washington, D.C. region, FCPS serves a diverse student population of more than 189,000 students in grades pre-K through 12, 14% of which receive special education and related services under IDEA. To learn more- Click here

* Special Needs Tutors -  is seeking dynamic, state credentialed special needs teachers to tutor on our virtual platform teaching learners all over the world. This is a perfect second job to earn extra money from the safety of your own home.  There is no minimum hourly requirement; all you need is a computer, reliable internet, a quiet space and willingness to teach. To learn more - Click here

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


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

-Helen Keller

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