Early Childhood Edition
National Center on Response to Intervention (RtI) Resources
The National Center on Response to Intervention http://www.rti4success.org/ has announced the release of the Progress Monitoring Tools Chart. This chart represents the results of the first annual review of reading and math progress monitoring tools by the Center’s Technical Review Committee (TRC). The chart provides ratings on the technical adequacy of progress monitoring tools used within an RtI context. The tools were rated against criteria for general outcome measures, or mastery measures. Additional information on how to implement them can be found on the chart as well. The information in the chart is intended to assist educators and families in becoming informed consumers who can select progress monitoring tools that best meet their individual needs. The Center’s TRC will review progress monitoring tools annually, with the next call for tools being issued in fall 2009. View the Progress Monitoring Tools Chart online at http://www.rti4success.org/chart/progressMonitoring/progressmonitoringtoolschart.htm.
New Family Voices Booklet
“Growing Your Capacity to Engage Diverse Communities by Working with Community Liaisons and Cultural Brokers” is a Family Voices booklet that describes a new approach to family and community engagement that involves community liaisons and cultural brokers. The information is based on knowledge and experience of family leaders around the country. The booklet is available in PDF format at http://www.familyvoices.org/pub/general/CommunityBrokers_04-27-2009.pdf.
Technical Assistance Paper for Speech and Language as a Related Service
DPS Memo 2009-099, Questions and Answers Regarding Speech/Language as a Related Service has been posted to the Florida Department of Education website at http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5423/dps-2009-099.pdf. This document updates and extends previous guidance, and includes questions and answers about identification of Speech/Language as a related service on the IEP or EP, provision of Speech/Language as a related service, and other related information. Two attachments are included: Appendix A is a flowchart of Guiding Questions for Determining the Need for Speech/Language as a Related Service - Revised June 2009, and Appendix B is a sample form that may be used to document Communication Impact on Special Education Services. For additional information please contact Shannon Hall-Mills, Program Specialist, at Shannon.Hall-Mills@fldoe.org or (850) 245-0478.
Curriculum Based Measurements Webinars
The National Center Response to Intervention is hosting a series of free webinars on Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) divided into six modules including Introduction to CBM, Using CBM in Reading, Using CBM in Math, Using CBM in Written Expression and Spelling, Other ways to use CBM Data, Using CBM to Determine RTI. Through these webinars learn what CBM is, how to administer it, and how to use the data you collect in a response to intervention framework. The presenter, Dr. Michelle K. Hosp, is a Research Associate at the University of Utah. Her research focus is on using CBM to inform instruction in the area of reading.
July 14, 2009 How to Administer CBM in Reading
August 11, 2009 Other Ways to Use CBM Data
All webinars are from 12:00 - 1:00pm Eastern Time
NEA Learning & Leadership Grants
NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants are given to public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of two purposes: Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. Maximum Award: $5,000 for groups, $2,000 for individuals. Eligibility: public school teachers grades K–12; public school education support professionals; or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions. Deadline: October 15, 2009. For more information or to apply please refer to
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/Learning&Leadership_Guidelines.htm.
American Management Association and Leader to Leader Institute Scholarship
The American Management Association (AMA) and Leader to Leader Institute scholarship program assists social-sector nonprofit organizations in developing strong leadership. The scholarship is designed to give nonprofit leaders an opportunity to step out of the day-to-day, interact with peers across sectors, and develop practical skills to apply immediately within their organizations. Maximum Award: one-year scholarship. Eligibility: employees of 501(c)3 organizations with a minimum of three years of work experience in the social sector. Deadline: December 15, 2009. For more information or to apply please refer to
http://leadertoleader.org/collaboration/ama/index.html.
LEGO Grants for Early Childhood Education and Development
The LEGO Children’s Fund will provide grants for collaborative programs, either in part or in total, to organizations that focus on early childhood education and development; technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities; or sport or athletic programs that concentrate on underserved youth. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: August 1, 2009. For more information or to apply please refer to http://www.legochildrensfund.org/Guidelines.html.
New DEC/NAEYC Joint Position Statement on Early Childhood Inclusion
The Division for Early Childhood and the National Association for the Education of Young Children have recently approved a joint position statement that underscores their commitment to quality early childhood inclusion. Early Childhood Inclusion: A Joint Position Statement of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) takes a historic step by providing a shared national definition of inclusion as “the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society.” The document, which was developed through a collaborative national process that the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI) coordinated, represents the first time these two leading national organizations have partnered on a joint product that is expected to have a widespread impact on the early childhood field.
Free Materials from Washington Learning Systems
Washington Learning Systems has a number of free materials available for Supporting Literacy in Natural Environments: Activities for Caregivers and Young Children are at www.walearning.com. From the home page, look for a button on the right labeled “Download Free Parent Tools.” Browse materials for preschoolers, infants, and On-the-Go activities. There are currently free parent handouts in English, Spanish, Somali, and Russian.
OSERS Updates
OSERS has updated several question and answer (Q&A) documents on the http://idea.ed.gov/ website. Updated FAQs on Discipline, Disproportionality, and Monitoring are available at http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cdynamic%2CQaCorner%2C.
