How to Improve Distance Learning for Students with IEPs
By: Kathryn Welby Originally Published: Edutopia, June 29, 2020 Distance learning isn’t easy for most students, but it is particularly difficult for those with learning differences that require individualized education programs (IEPs). This year, at the request of Merrimack College Institute for New Teacher Support (MINTS), I provided professional development for K–12 schools on teaching children with […]
Six Research-Backed Strategies for Remote Teaching
By: Amy Takabori Originally Published: Scientific Learning, April 16, 2020 As remote learning continues during COVID-19 school closures, educators have shared a plethora of creative and useful ideas for effective distance learning. In addition to these resources, educators might also be interested in what researchers have learned through systematic studies. In an EdWeek article, Brown University professor […]
Congress Hands Special Ed Hefty Funding Boost
By: Michelle Diament Originally Published: Disability Scoop, January 9, 2020 Federal funding for special education will rise the most it has in years under a newly approved government spending plan. The increase comes as part of a $1.4 trillion package signed late last year by President Donald Trump that will fund the federal government through […]
Digital Badges Validate Skills for Students with Special Needs
By: Stacey Pusey Originally Published: edScoop, September 26, 2019 Students with special needs struggle to graduate from high school and earn a diploma, much less pursue higher education or gain meaningful employment. Sometimes, this can be attributed to a skills gap between the desired career and the student’s training. Many times, though, the problem is […]
Providing Rich Educational Experiences for All Students
By: Nina Parrish Originally Published: Edutopia July 17, 2019 With proper scaffolds, students with learning differences benefit greatly from challenging opportunities like project-based learning. In the last 50 years, scientists have discovered that our brains are not fixed after early childhood but instead have potential for further change. The brain can adapt, reorganize, and reconstruct […]
Proven Resources for Kentucky Alternate Diploma Courses
By creating custom curriculum packages, Education Associates has aligned our proven, hands-on career exploration kits and comprehensive life skills titles to Kentucky’s Special Education Courses for the Alternate Diploma. These custom curriculum packages support courses in: – Developing Career Options – Experience in Workplace Principles – Daily Living Skills – Basic Money Skills – Money […]
Fresh Pets, Fresh Skills
Dog Washes Teach Intellectually Disabled How To Care For Animals By: Suzanne Garofalo Originally Published: Houston Chronicle 3/29/19 This was clearly not Mocha’s first visit to the groomer. Nothing about the water, lather, blow-dryer or brush fazed the fuzzy little dog. She seemed to know she was in capable, loving hands. Those hands belong to […]
Best Practices In Transition: South Carolina Implementing a Specific Employability Component for Its High School Credential
South Carolina is leading the way with a blueprint program for transition success. The new South Carolina High School Credential provides a guide for students to receive specific instruction in areas such as career cluster awareness, communication, employability skills, social skills and healthy lifestyles. “South Carolina has roughly 100,000 students with disabilities serviced under the Individuals with […]
7 steps to success in work and life for all students
As educators, we have a responsibility to all students to not only help them achieve academically, but to also prepare them for life as productive, contributing, global citizens. For our students with disabilities, this is a more involved and comprehensive process. These students require repetition and hands-on experiences to acquire the skills necessary for success […]
Smithsonian Puts Spotlight On Special Olympics
With a new exhibit, the Smithsonian Institution is highlighting how athletics have helped to dramatically change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities over the last 50 years. The display “Special Olympics at 50” was unveiled this month at the National Museum of American History in Washington just as the international sporting movement is celebrating […]